Drake confirms Popcaan as OVO Sound’s new artist
The label boss shared the news during a surprise festival appearance.
In tried and true form, Drake is lining up some major moves for 2019.
During a surprise appearance at the Unruly Fest in Jamaica over the weekend, the Toronto heavyweight announced his OVO Sound imprint has a new addition. While on stage, he confirmed the festival founder and dancehall artist Popcaan has “officially” joined the OVO family.
“This is something we’ve worked on for a very long time,” Drake said, excitedly addressing the audience. “I just wanna let everybody know. Finally, officially, 2019 Popcaan is signed to OVO.”
Popcaan, who previously released albums Where We Come From (2014) and Forever (2018) via Mixpak Records, lent his talents to Drake on the 2016 Views cut “Controlla,” helping introduce him to a wider audience. The song, which has since been certified as 3x platinum, went on to peak at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Later that same year, Popcaan came to the Toronto rapper’s defense after fellow dancehall artist Mr. Vegas called out Drake for appropriating sounds and styles of Caribbean artists. He claimed Drake took advantage of regional artists by drawing influence from them but not properly crediting or amplifying where he got his inspiration from in the first place. Popcaan issued a warning as a result, saying, “Don’t try and violate my brother, now. You don’t know anything about Unruly or OVO.”
Popcaan previously has worked with Snoop Dogg, collaborating on the 2012 single “Lighters Up,” which the West coast veteran released under the moniker Snoop Lion. The cut appeared on his 2013 reggae album, Reincarnated.
Since then, the Vybz Kartel collaborator has gone on to work with artists such as Pusha T, Wale, Jamie XX, Giggs and AlunaGeorge, among others.
Drake’s decision to sign the Jamaican musician marks the first time he has added to his OVO Sound imprint since bringing on artists Baka Not Nice and Plaza in 2017. The OVO Sound roster currently includes acts such as PARTYNEXTDOOR, Roy Woods, dvsn, OB O’Brien and Majid Jordan, making Popcaan a welcome addition.
Take a look at Drake confirming he’s bringing Popcaan on board at OVO Sound in the clip below.