Jamaica’s Andrae ’Popcaan’ Sutherland made his breakthrough with a bit of cultural cross-pollination. Back in 2010, he shared the single Clarks with the more established dancehall musician Vybz Cartel, a lively song of praise for Britain’s perennial high street shoe store. “Everybody haffi ask weh mi get mi Clarks/Di leather hard, di suede soft/Toothbrush get out di dust fast,” they sang, neglecting to add that the back to school range is an ideal blend of hard-wearing and affordable.
Today he’s a huge star in his own country, where he runs his own festival, Unruly, in his home parish of St Thomas and carries the flame for the energetic dancehall sound, but also acts as a bridge to all manner of other musical styles. He’s been on UK rap tracks with Giggs and Kano, made dramatic electronic pop with Gorillaz, soul with Jorja Smith, dance music with Jamie xx and melodic afrobeats with the Nigerian superstar Burna Boy.
