Popcaan and Vybz Kartel link up for the first time since his release from prison.
The Unruly Boss surprised his former mentor with an iced-out Rolex watch as the two dancehall legends reunited in a heartfelt video. Vybz Kartel was granted his freedom on July 31, 2024, after almost 13 years behind bars. There was a point during his incarceration when it appeared that his relationship with his former Portmore Empire student and frequent collaborator, Popcaan, was fractured.
Their falling out led to diss tracks from Kartel’s sons, Likkle Vybz and Likkle Addi, and his co-defendant, Shawn Storm. However, the “Clarks” deejays have since made amends and could be on the way to making music together again.
Vybz Kartel and Popcaan shared a clip on Instagram of their reunion last week as the Unruly Boss handed a shiny gift to the Worl’Boss. “When me go so and say Rolex, Poppy go so and say Rol-Ex, mi want everybody listen,” Kartel said while beaming with pride. Lisa Hyper also made a cameo in the video after recently reconnecting with the Empire head.
Vybz Kartel confirmed that Popcaan will be one of his special guests at his “Freedom Street” concert on New Year’s Eve at the National Stadium in Kingston. Spice, Skillibeng, Likkle Vybz, Lisa Hyper, and Likkle Addi, are also booked for the event that is shaping up to be a Portmore Empire reunion.
Dancehall music and fans are the real winners in the Popcaan and Kartel reunion as it renews hope that two of the biggest artists in dancehall currently could be making music again. The two artists dropped some big collaborations over the years, including the mega-hit “Clarks.”
Bounty Killer, a former mentor to Kartel, reacted to the reunion, saying, “Attitude of gratitude.” 21 Savage, who is friends with Poppy, jokingly wrote, “Hot oilll.”
