Popcaan, the Jamaican dancehall sensation, recently made waves for his decisive reaction to Kendrick Lamar’s music during an interview. This moment, caught on camera that has sparked talk across the music world in recent times, it really shows Popcaan to be unwavering in his loyalty toward one of his close friends and longtime collaborators, Drake.
The unexpected moment came in the form of an interview that Popcaan gave to Link Up TV. The instant the playing of Kendrick’s song started in the background, Popcaan reacted by saying, “Change di station!” This spoken declaration was filled with emotion and reflected his sentiments of loyalty to Drake, the Canadian rapper with whom he had had a long fruitful relationship. It was clear; Popcaan did not want to hear Kendrick’s music in his presence.
OVO artist Popcaan gets upset when he hears Kendrick Lamar’s music being played and tells people to turn it off. PIC.TWITTER.COM/RBHRPG3MYO
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) AUGUST 28, 2024
Since 2012, Andrae Hugh Sutherland, known commonly as Popcaan, has beenclosely tied to Drake. In 2019, he became a member of Drake’s OVO Sound label, signing in officially, and this loyalty does not seem to be breached as an independent artist today. During the interview, he proudly showed his OVO tattoo-a sign of his loyalty to the label and his friendship with Drake. Mi nuh know why di bomboclaat dem a play Kendrick Lamar in yah bout, he said, showing emphasis on his attitude against the unwanted music invading them.
Despite their collaborative history—most notably their tracks “TWIST & TURN” and “ALL I NEED” from Popcaan’s 2020 album FIXTAPE—recent events have brought a palpable tension to the surface. This tension is rooted in the ongoing lyrical feud between Drake and Kendrick, which has been escalating in recent months. Popcaan’s dismissal of Kendrick’s music during the interview seems to signal a shift from collaboration to competition, influenced by his loyalty to Drake.
The relationship between Popcaan and Kendrick is complex. While they have worked together and shown mutual respect in the past, Popcaan’s recent actions suggest a deeper commitment to his friend and mentor, Drake. The dancehall artist’s outburst was not just about personal preference; it was a public declaration of support in a world where alliances can shift rapidly.
Popcaan’s foray into music began in 2007, when he got the attention of Vybz Kartel, who immediately took the young singer under his wing. In 2010, Popcaan also gained popularity with his single entitled “Clarks,” a collaboration with Kartel which catapulted him into the limelight and set him up for a spate of awards.
Since then, Popcaan has gone on to work with artists such as Jamie xx, Pusha T, and Gorillaz, among others. His music represents the realities of life in Jamaica, furthering his music across borders. Much as he is independent today, his affiliation with Drake and the OVO brand seems very much a big part of his identity as an artist.
As the world continues to watch these developments between these three powerhouse artists, one thing is clear: loyalty runs deep in the music industry. Popcaan‘s bold declaration against Kendrick’s music was one that has deeply reminded how personal ties influence artistic choices. The question now lingers how this will affect the future of collaborations and relationships between the two influential figures in hip-hop and dancehall, respectively.
