Popcaan Shares Uplifting Messages For Kartel, Tommy Lee, Laden & Rytikal As They Remain Behind Bars

The Unruly Boss Popcaan is all in his feels today, having issued several heartfelt messages on Instagram to lift the spirits of his Dancehall stars who are currently behind bars. The Family deejay showed support to his mentor and GAZA Empire chief, Vybz Kartel, along with former co-member, Tommy Lee Sparta and youngbloods, Rytikal and Laden, all of whom are currently behind bars for criminal charges and convictions for murder, in Kartel’s case, and illegal possession of firearms and ammo.

For Rytikal, the 876 Gud said, “Stay up cuz,” backed with several strong-arm and praying-hand emojis, ending his bid, “freedom.” The 25-year-old EastSyde artiste whose real name Ryan McFarlane was arrested in late January and subsequently charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was denied bail when he appeared in the High Court Division of the Gun Court via Zoom on March 4 and was remanded for trial on March 24.

The King Inna War deejay insists he’s innocent on the charges.  A source told DancehallMag that “the gun was in the car, Rytikal was doing video shoots at the time, and a whole heap of people forward inna the car during that time, so he will be pleading innocent to the charges”

Popcaan and Tommy Lee Sparta have had a longstanding friendship spanning from the time of their rise to fame under the GAZA Empire. To his crony, Lee whose real name is Leroy Russell Jr., Poppy wrote, “Leroy gwaan wul it” accompanied by four praying hand emojis.

Lee was arrested on December 14, 2020, by members of the JCF’s Specialised Operations Unit, and like Rytikal is facing gun and ammunition charges. In February, he appeared via Zoom in Gun Court and was remanded into custody after the court rejected a bail application. He will next appear in court on March 24.

The Holding On deejay, who has had several run-ins with the law prior, was apprehended by the police during a commute in the Kingston and St Andrew area. He was searched and a 9mm pistol containing 18 rounds of ammunition was allegedly found in his waistband.

Dancehall deejay Laden also got some strength from the Unruly Boss in his acknowledgment today. “Gwaan wul them famo” with praying-hands and strong-arm emojis, Poppy wrote.

The 33-year-old, new emerging dancehall deejay, whose real name is O’Keefe Aarons, has been in police lockup since October last year for charges of illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. He was sentenced to 5 and a half years in prison when he appeared in court in the southern parish of St. Elizabeth but will only serve 4 years as the sentences will run concurrently.

Laden was arrested along with two other men following a police chase, where officers discovered a Hi-point 9mm pistol with a magazine containing one 9mm round of ammunition that had been thrown out of the car during the pursuit.

Poppy of course couldn’t leave out his ‘Teacha,’ the Worl’ Boss in his issue today.

“Gwaan wul them me daddy life a the greatest thing … freedom street we a pre,” the Firm And Strong crooner wrote at Vybz Kartel.

Kartel, unlike the others may be farther away from ‘freedom street’ for a crime more gruesome. Adidja Azim Palmer, 45 was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for the murder of his associate Clive “Lizard” Williams.

Kartel has taken his case to the UK Privy Council, Jamaica’s highest appellate court.  He will be eligible for parole in 2046 if the UK court denies the appeal and upholds his conviction.

The MY WAY singer’s own protégé, Quada, whose real name is Shacquelle Clarke, is also currently before the courts on charges of arson and murder.  While he’s probably glad to be out on bail, the Celebration singer has expressed frustration, through his lawyer, at the stalled case which will be called again on April 27.

Popcaan also gave an unlikely shout-out to his nemeses, Mavado in his heartfelt IG outpouring. The Gully Gad has certainly been handed the short end of the stick of late, recently losing his mother and currently awaiting the sentencing of his son Dantay Brooks, who was convicted for murder earlier this year.