MP hails Popcaan’s contributions as heroic - Compares artiste to Paul Bogle at launch of Unruly Fest 2019
Published:Friday | November 1, 2019 | 12:29 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
“Let me first say to Popcaan, I have been watching you and there is nothing unruly about you,” was the starting sentence of the member of parliament (MP) for St Thomas Western, James Robertson’s, speech.
As the guest speaker at the Unruly Fest 2019 media launch on Wednesday, held at the Triple Century Sports Bar, Robertson used the occasion to highlight the contributions of Andre Sutherland, the given name of the internationally acclaimed artiste, to his home parish over the past three years.
Robertson said: “You are the best citizen and you ... continue to be the first citizen of St Thomas in music, culture and putting St Thomas on the map.”
Suddenly, the New-Kingston hotspot turned silent, but before the MP’s statement, chatter echoed from members of the media and entertainment industry players who were perhaps engaging in conversation about their expectations for the event.
“I first came into contact with Popcaan between 2016 to 2017; he was doing the work of the member of parliament, the councillors and the mayor – he was representing the parish to get water and roads,” the MP shared.
He noted that when the matter was brought to his attention, he quickly acknowledged the entertainer for his brave and benevolent act.
“People came to me and said, ‘MP, they are blocking the roads; he [Popcaan] is embarrassing you’, and my answer was, ‘No, he is doing the work of Paul Bogle, he is doing our job, he is promoting St Thomas and not forgetting the people where he comes from’,” Robertson said.
He then signalled the Chromatic Live selectors to play the deejay’s 2014 single Everything Nice, meant to reinforce praises for Popcaan’s hard work, which was met with an uproar of cheers and applause.
With all the accolades and awards that the artiste has collected since his collaboration with Vybz Kartel on Clarks – the track that cemented his career in dancehall in 2010, followed by the impressive catalogue of hits that sends audiences across the globe into pandemonium, Popcaan named that moment as one of his proudest – being declared in the place where many long-standing supporters were first introduced to the artiste and his music.
“Well, I am Paul Bogle’s offspring,” Popcaan quipped in his interview with The Gleaner.
“Seriously, I think Paul Bogle is my family. That dedication to making things happen runs in the family and I feel proud to know say is a minister say that,” he continued.
Robertson’s speech, being one that was hard to top, was followed by the announcement of Unruly Fest’s line-up slated for December 21 at the GoodYear Oval. The highly anticipated roster includes Agent Sasco, Bounty Killer, Capleton, Sizzla Kalonji, Chronic Law, Quada and JaFrass, but as for the name of the international act, that remains a secret.
The launch was also attended by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange; attorney-at-law and senator, Tom Tavares-Finson; entertainment industry players such as Reggae Sumfest’s Joe Bogdanovich, well-known artiste manager Heavy D, among other VIPs, fans, friends and family of the dancehall entertainer.
Of course, Minister Grange could not exit without expressing high praise for the artiste and the upcoming event, stating that, “Popcaan, you are setting an example and I recognise Morgan Heritage, who started to open the doors in St Thomas – the parish that is going to lead the charge with the development of events. I want to tell you how proud I am of you that you are true to your roots, and it is good to know that you are putting your money where your mouth is.”