Jamaican recording artist Popcaan, real name Andre Sutherland, released a long statement, where he addresses all the rumors about his status in the Portmore Empire and Gaza, Vybz Kartel, PG13 and much more. 

READ THE FULL POPCAAN STATEMENT BELOW

This statement is addressed to all media and my fans. Because of facts mixed with persistent rumors I feel that I need to set the record straight. I will not be making any further statements or conducting any interviews on these subjects.

Portmore Empire

The world already knows that my career was launched from the greatest Dancehall school and business entity, The Portmore Empire/ Adidjaheim Records led by Vybz Kartel.

Since Vybz Kartel’s incarceration in September 2011 I remained a loyal and contributing member of this unit until May 2012 when the Portmore Empire was dissolved.

Rumors started as early as September 2011 that I had left the Portmore Empire, this was not so. My actions in October 2011 were to seek booking representation as this very important function was no longer viable for me with the incarceration of the head of my management and booking company.

To date I have no formal management or booking agreement and only since June 2012, with the dissolution of the Portmore Empire have I engaged the services of a lawyer to put these agreements in place.

From September 2011 to present I have worked hard and stayed focused on my career with my main intention to make sure that the music from the Portmore Empire was being released and the brand remained in the forefront of the dancehall music industry.

I feel that I did that to the best of my ability with the release of songs like Party Shot, Fry Yiy, Coolie Gal, Bad Mind, She A Gwaan Good, Nuh Sell Out and Step Like Dead and with performances all over the world.

Listen to Popcaan ‘Whine Up’ Bad Behavior Riddim

Visiting Vybz Kartel

Since his incarceration I have not visited Vybz Kartel, nor have any members of the Portmore Empire visited him to date.

In September 2011 it was explained to us that only family members were allowed to visit at set times once a week. On several occasions when I enquired about visitations I was told that this was not advised.

Later Vybz Kartel communicated through letters that I should focus on my career and stay away from the police. All our communication has been focused on updates on my career, my song releases and stage shows and general discussions as one would express in the present situation.

Up until May 2012 when the Portmore Empire was dissolved we maintained a business relationship.

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 chargie”. He has influenced and will continue to influence my career as one of my favourite artists and from the day we met at the Chromatic party ‘My Scheme’ in Portmore in 2009 to collaborating on hits like Clarks, Hot Grabba, Never Fear Dem and other songs.


I look forward to working again with Vybz Kartel and will be checking with producers to see what previously recorded material they may have that I can include on my album which I will start working on soon.

VYBZ KARTEL FT. POPCAAN ‘DANCEHALL HERO PT 2’ (FULL SONG)

Informer by Vybz Kartel featuring Tommy Lee Sparta (GAZA)

The song Informer was recorded by Vybz Kartel in August 2011 and added to by Tommy Lee in May 2012.

These lyrics in no way pertain to me. To create friction and controversy, some persons have tried to dissect the song line by line but the fact remains that this song was not recorded about or toward me.

Every word sang by Tommy Lee in this song could have been sung by me, but this is the time for Tommy Lee to get the exposure and recognition from a collaboration with Vybz Kartel.

Vybz Kartel Ft. Tommy lee ‘Informer’ (UIM Records)