Popcaan Shows Respect To Vybz Kartel Before Dropping Some Inspiration On Dancehall Fans
Dancehall artist Popcaan was in his feelings today as he sent his ‘respects’ to the Worl’ Boss Vybz Kartel, and shared some inspiration with fans on social media. The St. Thomas deejay is back to his usual Instagram and Twitter updates of late, from showing off his birthday flex at a posh villa in the country last week to a boat ride out at sea over the weekend.
Today, he simply wanted to express his gratitude to the ‘Teacha’, for always sharing his wisdom. “Vybz kartel ya real G, a nuff things man learn from you without you even saying a word. Yo respect a forever respect!!!” he tweeted.
Vybz kartel ya real G, a nuff things man learn from you without you even saying a word. Yo respect a forever respect!!!✊✊
— Popcaan (@PopcaanMusic) July 26, 2021
The 876Gad hasn’t been the most forthcoming about his current standing with Vybz Kartel since chatter of their falling-out emerged online in recent years. Besides, Kartel revealing he had felt abandoned by his former protégés, Popcaan and Tommy Lee Sparta upon his incarceration in 2011, and what many speculated were several diss tracks aimed at Popcaan thereafter, the Family deejay maintained that he had nothing but love and respect for his former mentor.
“I am grateful and am loyal to Vybz Kartel for the opportunity of working with the Portmore Empire, for everything I learned from him about the music business, life, friendship and family. He is a brother, a father figure, mi real charge,” he said at the time.
In September of 2018, the Fever deejay would have fans believe that they had somewhat rekindled their friendship when he posted a throwback clip of himself and Poppy performing on stage. Then, in a July 2020 interview with Boomshots Magazine, Kartel confirmed that he, in fact, felt betrayed by Poppy but had forgiven him.
“I mean, I’m a forgiving person so I have forgiven as I have been forgiven because at the end of the day no one’s perfect, and sometimes when you address stuff while you’re angry you usually say some hurtful stuff,” the incarcerated deejay said.
He continued, “It is what it is though, and I’m proud to see their victories [Popcaan and Tommy Lee] … It all started from Bounty Killa, this “buss artiste as an artiste” thing (as far as I’m concerned), so I just pay forward and that’s the result. Time is the healer still.”
Popcaan, whose real name is Andrae Sutherland, had joined the Vybz Kartel-led Portmore Empire in 2008. He got his big musical breakthrough in 2010 with the release of Clarks, a collab with Kartel and Vannessa Bling, then known as Gaza Slim.
Last week, Popcaan had also laid to rest speculation that he and Canadian rapper Drake, to whose label he’s now signed, had fallen out.
Meanwhile, in another tweet today, Popcaan encouraged his fans to keep pushing towards their dreams.
“To all the dreamers out there, you can’t fulfill those dreams unless you follow those dreams, work towards those dreams, and make them a reality, it won’t just happen miraculously,” he wrote.
To all the dreamers out there, you can't fulfill those dreams unless you follow those dreams, work towards those dreams, and make them a reality, it won't just happen miraculously. 🤫
— Popcaan (@PopcaanMusic) July 26, 2021
Then over on Instagram, the Firm and Strong deejay followed up with another burst of inspiration, writing, “#Headtosky we can achieve anything we want believe that!!!”
Popcaan’s latest summer banger Pool Party and another installment dubbed Abundant Life Documentary (Words of Wisdom Part 3) dropped last week on July 19 to commemorate his 33rd birthday. Watch them below –