Photos and Video by Martei Korley—
LargeUp has been following Popcaan’s career from early, watching Fry Yiy grow from Vybz Kartel understudy to Raving King and, now, your favorite rapper’s favorite dancehall deejay. But it was only recently that we finally had the opportunity to see what really makes him tick.
On Poppy’s invitation, we headed to meet him at Three West, his housing scheme in Greater Portmore, Jamaica. We’re early but he isn’t: he’s only arrived home from the last night’s raving at 10:30 a.m., we learn. It’s hot, and Portmore’s famous mosquitoes have everyone dancing as we await his arrival. By the time Popcaan emerges, a little under the weather (he’d been dealing with the flu), a large group of people have assembled, cooling off in the shade of a large tree under which a domino table sits. Soon, a lively game is under way.
After dominoes, Popcaan does some kitchen duty and poses in a LargeUp tee before heading to the pitch to participate in a football game, cheered on by members of his Unruly Gang crew. In the midst of all this, he sits with us for a conversation on life in Three West, coming up under Vybz Kartel, developing his own unique style, and his plans for an upcoming album. The following day, we catch up with him again as he lays dubplates at dancehall producer RVSSIAN’s Head Concussion Studio in Kingston.
Watch LargeUp TV’s “A Day in the Life with Popcaan” webisode below, and scroll through the photo gallery for the full effect—and a wharf load a badness.
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