Dancehall artistes Vybz Kartel and Popcaan were rumoured to be on bad terms for a long time during Kartel’s incarceration. After his murder conviction was overturned and he was released, questions arose again regarding the status of his friendship. However, Popcaan and Kartel were seen hanging out together, confirming that they are indeed still friends.
Nevertheless, the two did have a fallout in the past, which initially sparked the rumour. The fallout was indicated by Vybz Kartel and also his sons Likkle Vybz and Likkle Addi, who said they did not trust Popcaan in a song titled “Radio.” During that time, several speculations emerged regarding the reason behind the fallout. One of them suggested that Popcaan was romantically involved with Vybz Kartel’s ex-girlfriend Tanesha “Shorty” Johnson, and another indicated that Popcaan “sold out” Vybz Kartel.
Neither of these was true, according to Vybz Kartel. In an interview released on December 20, he addressed the rumours and finally explained what drove a wedge into their friendship.
Vybz Kartel told the hosts of The Fix podcast that the issue stemmed from Popcaan deciding to sign with Patrick Roberts, the producer of Shocking Vibes, without informing him first. This took place not long after Kartel was arrested.
“The only issue mi and Poppy have when mi just get lock up and deh a prison without consulting me him sign to Patrick Roberts. Just imagine this. Yuh just get lock up and yuh deh in a jail cell and si Popcaan pan TV seh him sign to Patrick Roberts and him nuh tell yuh,” Vybz Kartel said.
While he said he understood the reason why Popcaan signed with Roberts, he just did not like that he was not informed before. As a result, his son, Likkle Addi, wrote the lyrics that Popcaan was no longer a trustworthy person. Vybz Kartel noted that he had no issue with his son creatively expressing himself.
Nevertheless, he emphasised that he has a strong friendship with Popcaan that goes beyond the music they do. While the public was creating a big fuss over it and spreading rumours, the issue they had was overlooked, and they were still communicating while he was in prison.
Watch the video of Vybz Kartel below:
