For years, Popcaan’s music has reached American golf equipment, playlists and automobile stereos with out him. That modified this week when the Unruly Boss landed in Miami for the primary time in his profession, contemporary off securing his first ever U.S. visa.
The dancehall star was noticed celebrating within the metropolis after the approval got here by means of. For an artist who has spent his profession constructing a following from the surface wanting in, the second carries actual weight.
The approval clears the best way for potential stay reveals in america. Meaning American followers who’ve solely streamed his information or traveled overseas to catch him might lastly see him carry out nearer to residence.
Popcaan, born Andrae Sutherland, got here up in Jamaica as a part of the Gaza Camp earlier than branching out to construct his personal Unruly motion. His attain finally stretched effectively past the island, with a Jamie xx collaboration in 2015 and a later partnership with Drake’s OVO Sound label.
He appeared alongside Drake and “PartyNextDoor” on “Twist & Flip” in 2020, a observe that put his voice in entrance of an enormous American viewers he couldn’t meet in particular person.
That hole between his presence on U.S. information and his absence from U.S. levels has been one of many stranger elements of his story. Followers have lengthy watched him play main reveals elsewhere whereas American dates stayed off the desk.
His sister, Annalecia “Unruly Squid” Sutherland, was fast to share the household’s response. “We’re so completely happy for Pops. This can be a big second in his profession, and we’re excited concerning the doorways this may open for him and the group,” she stated.
She additionally confirmed that new music is on the best way. “He’s placing within the work for the album, which will probably be dropping quickly, and there’s a lot extra to come back. The followers can keep tuned as a result of we’re simply getting began!”
The timing strains up neatly for him. His final studio album, “Nice Is He,” arrived in 2023, so a brand new challenge paired with contemporary entry to the American market offers him a rollout alternative he has by no means had earlier than.
There’s one other method to learn this, too. Popcaan already has a powerful base in the UK, Canada and throughout Africa, and he constructed it with out U.S. touring. That means his profession was by no means ready on America to succeed, even when the visa now opens an even bigger lane.
The actual query is how briskly issues transfer from right here. Promoters will probably be watching carefully to see if he locks in American dates across the new album, and followers in cities with massive Caribbean communities are more likely to be first in line.
For now, no tour dates or album title have been introduced. The Miami arrival is step one, and the individuals closest to him are making it clear extra information is coming.
