Popcaan

Andrae Hugh Sutherland (born 19 July 1988), known professionally as Popcaan, is a Jamaican dancehall artist, singer and songwriter from the parish of St. Thomas.

In 2008, Andrae joined Vybz Kartel's Gaza Music Empire. In 2010, he released his breakthrough international hit "Clarks" with Kartel, an ode to the popular shoe brand.

In 2014, Popcaan signed with Mixpak Records and released his debut studio album, Where We Come From. Popcaans international singles include "Only Man She Want" (2011), "Everything Nice" (2014), "Ova Dweet" (2016), "El Chapo" (2017), and "Family" (2017).

Popcaan has collaborated with a number of international artists, most notably Drake, Jamie xx, Pusha T, Giggs, Matoma, Wale and Gorillaz.

His second album for Mixpak Records, entitled Forever, was released on 20 July 2018.

Early life

Born in Saint Thomas, Jamaica. Sutherland grew up in Portmore, St Catherine.

Career

2007–10: Early career

In 2007, Popcaan approached Vybz Kartel at a local jam called 'My Scheme' where Kartel recruited the young dj to his Portmore Empire (music group), becoming both a producer and mentor. Besides showing Popcaan the ropes of the music game, Kartel took him on major shows like Sting and Reggae Sumfest.

Popcaan began making music for Adidjaheim Productions with then in-house producer NotNice, the first person to voice him professionally. He got off to a strong start with "Gal Wine" on the Gal Farm riddim, "Clarks" featuring Vybz Kartel, Popcaan and Gaza Slim and more following up with early hits including "It Nuh Work So", "Jah Jah Protect Me", “Gangsta City", "Dream", "Gangsta City Part Second", and "Hot Grabba".

2010–13: Growing popularity

Popcaan's breakthrough came in 2010 with "Clarks", a collaboration with Kartel. The success of the song caused a nationwide spike in sales of the British shoe. In 2011, Popcaan received the Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Award for 'Best New Artist', and 'Collaboration of the Year' for "Clarks", which also won 'Song of the Year – Dancehall'.

At the end January 2012 Popcaan released a new mixtape, Chromatic presents Yiy Change—the follow-up to his 2010 mixtape Hot Skull, Fry Yiy, Boil Brainz. In March "Only Man She Want" gave Popcaan his first Billboard entry at No. 89 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was later officially remixed by rapper Busta Rhymes.

Popcaan was also featured in The New York Times speaking on the growing impact of "Only Man She Want."