Dancehall superstar Popcaan is riding the global wave of demand for live performances, and now he’s preparing to bring his flagship event, Unruly Fest, to Canadian soil for the very first time. The St. Thomas-born deejay hinted at the upcoming Canadian debut via his X (formerly Twitter) account, posting, “UnrulyFest Canada, stay tuned.” While no official date has been confirmed, the announcement has already sparked excitement among fans.
Popcaan’s strong presence in Canada has long been fueled by his deep musical ties with Drake. Their collaborations and mutual respect helped introduce Popcaan to a broader Canadian audience, especially after he officially joined OVO Sound in 2018. Although the partnership ended in 2023, the friendship between the two remains strong. Just last month, Popcaan performed during Drake’s headlining run at the Wireless Festival in London and was later seen hanging out with the rapper and NBA star Kevin Durant during Drake’s NOCTA Weekend.
Over the years, Popcaan has built a loyal Canadian fanbase, often visiting and even receiving a custom Toronto Blue Jays jersey in recognition of his popularity. With this kind of reception, Canada seems like a natural next step for Unruly Fest, which has already made a major impact in Jamaica and, more recently, the UK. The festival was created in 2018 to celebrate Popcaan’s roots in St. Thomas and bring attention to the area. The event has featured a lineup of dancehall heavyweights, surprise appearances from international stars, and memorable moments—like Popcaan’s dramatic 2019 stage entrance via crane.
Despite some setbacks, including a three-year pandemic break and an early shutdown by police in 2023, Unruly Fest has continued to grow. Its 2024 expansion to London drew over 13,000 fans to the Crystal Palace Bowl, showcasing acts like Spice, Krept & Konan, and Popcaan’s brother Natebadz. With its move to Canada, the festival is poised to continue that upward momentum, bringing the energy and culture of dancehall to new international audiences.
Popcaan joins a growing number of Jamaican artists taking their festival brands abroad. In June, Alkaline brought his New Rules concert to Toronto for the first time, while Vybz Kartel is also expected to perform in Canada later this year as part of his Worl’ Boss Return Tour. Meanwhile, Popcaan is set to headline the Streetz Festival in Kingston on August 30, performing with a live band—another sign that he remains a dominant force on both local and international stages.
Source: kaboommag.com
Image: prismmarketingco.com
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