Amidst this transition, then-Brooklyn-based DJ and producer Dre Skull started a label,Mixpak, in 2009.
But ultimately, he gave me his trust and put faith in the idea.
During that period, Popcaans mentor Vybz Kartel was imprisoned andchargedwith murder.
Courtesy of Mixpak Records
It was a very tough time, Popcaan told me in November.
It was just me left to make decisions and boss up.
I was trying to figure out what direction I was gonna go in my music.
I just like to go with the flow of life and thats the way I make music as well.
People liked the songs because of what I was saying and the way I deliver.
Its music that lives in peoples hearts.
Moving to streaming meant there was a paper trail for lots of genres.
If you go back to music blogs, thats the world that we all wanted to see.
We can be a little gangster, but we can also want to hear a love song.
We resonate with Popcaans quickness, his free spiritedness.
Hes a star, but he can still cook in a bush.
He knows how to talk to the gyals, not at us.
He can be very positive, but also like: Dont play with me.
I inspired a lot of artists from every genre across the world, Popcaan said.
Its tough to predict what will connect andharderto sustain an unexpected hit.
Crossover is a word people dont always like to use in the Caribbean, said Gabsoul.
Because its like: What are we crossing over to?
And why cant we just do what we do?
I really believe that.
Even the ones you dont release, the half-cooked ideas.
Recently, Popcaan and Dre Skull have reunited to make a new album.
Its about to be amazing, Popcaan said.
I know about having a bad day and having a bad month.
