Newsmaker: ‘Poppyshow’; artistes, promoter trade barbs re big concert

This week's featured development as Newsmaker of the Week is the simmering tensions among event promoter and dancehall producer, Cordel 'Skatta' Burrell, Popcaan and Chronic Law, which were pointedly on display at Vybz Kartel's Freedom Street Concert last Wednesday morning.

The highly anticipated concert, held on New Year's Eve, marked the entertainer's first major performance since his release from prison on July 31, 2024.

Expectation was high for the 'Unstoppable' deejay, who lived up to the performance quality for some of his fans who packed the National Stadium in St Andrew. Amid it all, other entertainers, like Bounty Killer and Spice, heaped praises on Kartel during their respective sets.

Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel jointly marching down Freedom Street inside the National Stadium on Wednesday morning.

But one could easily argue that the performances of Kartel and others at the concert were largely overshadowed by the controversy and tensions among Burrell and dancehall artistes Popcaan and Chronic Law.

The incident has sparked a heated debate, with Burrell responding to disrespect that was levelled at him, while Popcaan's team shared the artiste's accounts of what transpired.

The controversy began when Popcaan and Chronic Law reportedly experienced difficulties entering the venue.

After being eventually allowed entry on the urging of Kartel, Popcaan took to the stage, hurling insults at Burrell, including a derogatory comment involving reference to Burrell's mother.

"Skatta s#@k yuh mada yute! If a neva Kartel mi gah mi yard... Wah mek unuh have mi and Chronic Law outta door fi three hours? A wah mek unuh a hold down the native dem? Don't do that to wi yute!" Popcaan exclaimed.

Chronic Law also responded to the situation, disrespecting Burrell and another event promoter, Joe Bogdanovich.

Chronic Law (file photo)

"Wi deh yasso fi Vybz Kartel, mi a talk straight. Mi nuh deh ya suh fi nuh white boy or nuh rasta bwoy. Mi a bad man, mi nuh like people… Skatta, behave, yuh hear? Joe? Behave yuh ... self," Chronic Law said.

Burrell took to Instagram to address the comments on Wednesday, particularly the disrespect shown to his mother, who he said was then hospitalised.

"I... mother... has been in the hospital, and a man nah go tek it up pon him head fi come tell me to s$%k mi mada inna a public space (with) thousands of people and expect it a go get thrown under the rug because mi is a promoter and mi have a lot more to lose than dem," said Burrell.

He emphasised that he had to maintain professionalism and not allow the show to be disrupted over the remark. However, he made it clear that he will not tolerate such disrespect going forward.

"Me is a man; blood run through mi veins, zeen, and mi know how fi deal with things. A man diss mi publicly, mi (coulda) drag him under the stage and disrespect him back privately.

"And mi a tell yuh sup'm, me cud a murder yuh under da stage deh. Unuh fi watch unuh mouth man!" stated Burrell.

Cordel 'Skatta' Burrel (file photo)

He also followed up with another Instagram post, stating that, "Events that are held at Jamaica's National Stadium carry strict guidelines and rules that clearly states no weapons allowed on premises and promoters of such event(s) cannot authorise the police to disregard this rule at the gate.

"Artistes and their security must hand over weapons at the designated area before they can be allowed on premises," Burrell stated.

He did not state who his comments were directed at.

In response to the overall developments, Unruly Entertainment, led by Popcaan, released a statement addressing the incident at Freedom Street.

According to Popcaan, he and his team approached the event with professionalism and respect, but certain operational challenges and miscommunications at the venue caused unnecessary obstacles.

The statement claimed that Burrell dismissed Popcaan's request to use his band for the performance, citing concerns that it might "reflect poorly" on the event.

The release said that despite these challenges, Popcaan remained committed to delivering for his fans.

The statement also addressed the alleged tension between Popcaan and Burrell, citing past professional disagreements.

Unruly Entertainment said that on arrival at the venue of the event, access issues caused significant delays.

“This resulted in a delay of a few hours, leaving Popcaan and his team outside the venue until after midnight. Efforts to resolve the matter were hindered by mismanagement, with inconsistent instructions from gate personnel.

“I was standing with Rolexx when he radioed Skatta to say he was at the gate with me,” Popcaan claimed.

“Skatta responded, ‘Mi cyaah badda wid Popcaan and him 100 man,’ not even knowing how many people were actually with me. The reality is (that) it was just my team and Chronic Law’s team.

“Skatta Burrell’s previous interactions with Unruly Entertainment, including past professional disagreements, seem to have contributed to ongoing tensions,” the release stated.

Unruly Entertainment further stated that Popcaan has consistently declined invitations to perform at Reggae Sumfest due to concerns about the (perceived) lack of respect shown to Jamaican artistess, particularly regarding their creative input and accommodations.

Further, Unruly Entertainment categorically denied that any member of its team attempted to enter the venue with any firearm.

"While Skatta Burrell allegedly attempted to escalate tensions during and after the event, Unruly Entertainment and Popcaan chose to move forward," Unruly Entertainment said.

Popcaan stated that: “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."

The incident has sparked a heated debate, with many weighing in on social media.

While some have criticised Popcaan and Chronic Law for their behaviour, others have defended them, citing the difficulties they faced to enter the venue.

Regardless, some users said the controversy has overshadowed the success of the Freedom Street concert that marked a historic moment for Kartel and the dancehall community.

"This nuh fi gwaan, the artiste dem should've been assured passage to the stage all before Kartel touch stage. Yes... I agree with Popcaan," a man said on Facebook.

"Very disrespectful and bitter to deliberately try to sabotage the performers by holding them at the gate," a woman commented.

"Skatta (Burrell) needs to address why the artistes were held up. All now we don't get a proper reason, but him come a talk about who could murder who," a man stated.

A man suggested that, "Totally disrespectful to the Vybz Kartel, not nice; Popcaan, it's not the time nor the place to say those words. Popcaan should know better."

Said a woman: "Him (Popcaan) of all person must not tell anyone about dem mother; that was very disrespectful in the public eye."

A man advised that, "Skatta (Burrell), yuh need fi learn from this..."

Meanwhile, Popcaan came in for more criticisms, with a man arguing that the artiste’s behaviour was disrespectful to Kartel.

"Dude nuh respect Kartel. If you have you differences, wait until after the show... You a mi artiste with your vibe of music, especially the song 'Family', (but) behave bigger," the man declared.