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Released Feb 9, 2021
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Quick Facts
Born
1988
1988
From
Jamaica
Jamaica
Journey
Known professionally as Popcaan, Jamaican singer-songwriter Andrae Hugh Sutherland played a pivotal role in elevating dancehall from island sound systems to global recognition. He was born in Saint Thomas, Jamaica, and spent much of his childhood under the care of his grandparents, discovering his passion for music early on. His trajectory shifted dramatically after relocating to Portmore. In 2007, legendary artist Vybz Kartel spotted his potential at a local talent showcase and recruited him into the Portmore Empire. Serving as a crucial mentor, Kartel gave Popcaan his first big break on major Jamaican stages, paving the way for his breakout recording career.
Popcaan’s breakthrough arrived with “Clarks,” his collaboration with Vybz Kartel. The song became an international dancehall success and earned him EME Awards for Best New Artist and Collaboration of the Year. His subsequent recordings, including “Only Man She Want” and “Party Shot,” strengthened his position within Jamaica’s dancehall community while revealing a melodic side that would become increasingly important to his music.
In 2014, Popcaan released his debut album, "Where We Come From," through Mixpak Records. The project reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Reggae Albums chart and established him as a solo artist with ambitions beyond Jamaica. Its combination of dancehall rhythms, romantic themes and melodic songwriting gave him a distinctive place within the genre. He followed it with "Forever" in 2018, further developing that approach.
His international profile grew through collaborations with artists including Drake, Pusha T, Kanye West, Jamie xx, Gorillaz, Snoop Dogg, Travis Scott, Giggs and J Hus. His appearance on Gorillaz’s “Saturnz Barz” and Jamie xx’s “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” demonstrated his ability to work across musical boundaries without losing his Jamaican identity.
Popcaan later joined Drake’s OVO Sound, releasing "Vanquish" in 2019 and "FIXTAPE" in 2020. His subsequent album "Great Is He," released in 2023, continued his international collaborations and established another chapter in his career. Through his Unruly identity and sustained commitment to dancehall, Popcaan has built a career that connects Jamaican musical traditions with audiences worldwide.