Popcaan addresses dispute with ‘Skatta’ Burrell at Freedom Street
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Popcaan’s Unruly Entertainment has sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the dispute between the dancehall star and Downsound Entertainment (DSE) executive Cordel ‘Skatta’ Burrell at the DSE-organised Freedom Street concert at the National Stadium on Wednesday morning.
During his performance, Popcaan aimed expletives at Burrell over allegedly having to wait three hours to be let inside the venue.
In a release Thursday, Unruly Entertainment explained that the dancehall artiste had requested to use his band for his performance and that it had been approved by Freedom Street headliner Vybz Kartel.
However, according to Popcaan’s team, as the event approached, efforts to rehearse with the band were dismissed by Burrell and it was later communicated that the use of the band was discouraged as it might “reflect poorly” on the event.
According to the release, upon their arrival at the main gate of the venue, Unruly team members were stopped, resulting in a delay of a few hours, leaving them outside the venue until after midnight.
“I was standing with Rolexx when he radioed Skatta to say he was at the gate with me,” Popcaan said.
“Skatta responded, ‘Mi cyaah bodda wid Popcaan and him 100 man,’ not even knowing how many people were actually with me. The reality is it was just my team and Chronic Law’s team,” the Unruly Entertainment boss added.
The release further claimed that Burrell’s prior interactions with Unruly Entertainment, including past professional disagreements, appear to have contributed to ongoing tension. The team says Popcaan has consistently declined invitations to perform at Reggae Sumfest, which is also promoted by Downsound, due to concerns over “lack of respect” shown to Jamaican artistes, particularly regarding their creative input and accommodations.
Popcaan says he has now moved forward following the incident.
“It’s a new year. My team and I don’t have Skatta on our minds or thoughts. We’re focused on continuing to deliver for the fans and elevating dancehall culture,” he said.
