In early January, Mixpak released its first Popcaan single, the Dre Skull produced “Get Gyal Easy” which was immediately playlisted by BBC 1Xtra as part of their Hot 20 for 2012 feature and has been getting pulled up on Zip FM in Kingston.
Today, we’re very excited to announce that Popcaan has signed a merchandising deal with Mixpak for a series of t-shirts, hats and more. Our first collaboration is the “Popcaan – Get Gyal Easy” t-shirts which are available for pre-order from the Mixpak Shop now.
Any retail outlets that are interested in carrying these shirts or future Popcaan products, please get in touch with us at info@mixpakrecords.com.
Boomshots’ Rob Kenner interviewed Mixpak artist Popcaan for Complex Magazine, delving into his relationship with Kartel, the Gaza/Gully war, Clarks, raving and more.
Mad A Road have put together this 15-minute post-Sting video featuring a lil interview with Mixpak artist Popcaan, alongside some great footage of the event and a chat with Merciless (who sadly didn’t quite live up to his name on the day). Lock on around 7 minutes in for the Poppy interview.
Our first single with bright new Jamaican star Popcaan is dropping tomorrow and it got its first airing today on BBC 1Xtra as part of their Hot 20 for 2012 feature and will continue to run on its playlist from here on in.
After blasting onto the scene in 2010 on the biggest dancehall tune of the year, “Clarks,” Portmore’s Popcaan has since proved himself as one of the most talented up-and-coming vocalists in the genre and now 2012 sees Popskull and Dre Skull teaming up for an emotional gallis anthem, a slow-burning and euphoric bashment tune that showcases Popcaan’s versatile singjay style. Watch for it dropping, head here to watch the BBC interview and be sure to leave us your feedback!
This year has been Mixpak’s best year so far, seeing the release of the Dre Skull produced Vybz Kartel full length, Kingston Story, alongside a big line up of EPs and singles from Andy Petr, Dubbel Dutch, Schlachthofbronx, Lil Scrappy, Koyote and Melé.
Thank you to everyone who supported us by buying a record, wearing a tee or coming to Mixpak Extended Play in 2011. Next year is set to be even bigger, with releases from Popcaan, Poirier, Douster, Dre Skull, the launch of our compilation series and a heap more to be announced in January. Stay tuned and happy new year!
Upcoming Mixpak artist Popcaan stepped up for this year’s annual Sting in Portmore, Jamaica earlier this week, running through his biggest tunes (and some of this year’s biggest dancehall records): ‘Up Inna The Club’, ‘Clarks’, ‘Hot Grabba’, ‘Real Badman’, ‘Only Man She Want’, ‘Raving’ and of course ‘Clean’ with a full live band. It’s only a small glimpse of his talent; watch out for Popcaan’s Mixpak releases coming soon.
Last week saw the long-awaited release of Vybz Kartel’s collaboration with Pusha T for the Half on A Baby remix. Of course, this was not the first time that Pusha and Vybz laid their voices on the same track, ‘Double Down’ has long been a staple in the crate of the dancehall hip hop fan. In fact, Vybz has probably done more successful and cross-genre collaborations than any other dancehall artist, lending his distinctive voice as far flung as electro and reggaeton. The finest duos always come when they actually record together and don’t just lay down a verse in a studio a million miles away, so some of the Jamaican ones are still top.
Here are a very subjective top ten of Vybz’s best collaborations across the genres, focussing on his best verses and versitility, not the biggest hits (case in point: ‘Pon di Floor’) and not including any Pusha T.
Aside from maintaining a Palance-based injury, this is one of the only soca songs thats hook might make you cry. He’s not wrong when he says ‘KMC and Kartel, carnival a start well’. Feel my vybz now, feel my melody.
Wayne Marshall & Kartel work so well together, so well in fact that they did two versions of the same song, first on the Krazy riddim and then the Good 2 Go.
Before Jah Vinci fell out with the Gaza Camp, the two made this brilliant collaboration, with a huge hook from Jah Vinci and some real intense Kartel.
3. ‘Clarks’ with Popcaan & Gaza Slim
The biggest ode to the Clarks Original, Kartel brought in his two young proteges, Popcaan & Gaza Slim for guest verses. Last year’s biggest dancehall tune, this one is forever.
2. ‘Ramping Shop’ with Spice
One of the best dancehall love songs of the last decade, this collaboration with Spice is not for the prudish but really shows off Vybz’ versatility (so, incidentally does ‘Versatility’) and penchant for the slow jam.
1. ‘New Millennium’ with Wayne Marshall
‘New Millennium’ in many ways was a new millennium for dancehall, this is one of the best Kartel tunes out there hands down, his flow is near unmatchable in this song. And the video is like dancehall meets TRON, win win.
For more Vybz collabs, be sure to check Eminem, Indu, Rihanna, Sheba, Mavado, Aidonia, Gaza Slim, Pitbull, Russian, and all the others I’ve forgotten…
