25.07.18

Since releasing his debut LP Where We Come From in 2014 via Brooklyn-based label Mixpak, Jamaican artist Popcaan has enjoyed international recognition, collaborating with the likes of Jamie xx, Gorillaz and Giggs. Having been sampled and referenced by Drake, Popcaan’s vocals were unfortunately scrapped for Drizzy’s single Controlla.

That hasn’t hindered his ascent, mind. As he remains under the Mixpak banner it’s clear Popcaan – once a protege of Vybz Kartel – is enjoying the fruits that come with being dancehall’s poster boy on Forever. Here, Popcaan mirrors his effortless bravado with sensitivity. The chest-inflating Superstar sees Popcaan proudly boast of his stature in pop’s upper echelons, but on romance riddims like Mi Luv Yuh and Through the Storm he delivers arms-out-wide proclamations of love.

It’s not all heat – at times, the record fails to justify the hefty runtime and its lyrics sometimes fall hollow. But for most of the album, the sweet signature sound of Dre Skull’s production shines brightly, and Forever is an album that sees Popcaan gaze beyond his own hype.

Jack Needham