Popcaan Starts ‘Campaign’ For US Visa

The Unruly Boss Popcaan had a burning question on his mind just before 3 am this morning, about why he still has not been allowed to touch down on American soil.

The St. Thomas native took to Twitter to declare that starting today (January 26), he will be campaigning to get himself into the country.

“Why they let me into everywhere except America?? 🤔 something not right!!! Well i would like to see what America look like. Let’s start the 1st time in America campaign today!!! #GIHE Go!” he said.

Why they let me into everywhere except America?? 🤔 something not right!!! Well i would like to see what America look like. Let’s start the 1st time in America campaign today!!! #GIHE Go!

— Popcaan (@PopcaanMusic) January 26, 2023

Though the Numbers Don’t Lie deejay, who is signed to Drake’s OVO Sound and Warner, has graced stages in Canada, the UK, and Europe, he has not yet performed in the US.

In 2017, he was expected to perform at the Red Bull Culture Clash in Atlanta, Georgia.

However, on the day of the event, Popcaan’s team issued a statement announcing that due to issues securing the proper travel documents, he would not be allowed to enter the United States for the clash.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control and despite everyone’s best efforts, travel documents were unable to be processed in time for the clash,” a statement from the Unruly camp had read at the time.

An article published by The Star tabloid in mid-August 2017, had noted that despite dominating the Dancehall scene for several years,  and “gaining immense success internationally, particularly in the US market” Popcaan had “never set foot on American soil”.

“Because of his affiliation with now incarcerated deejay Vybz Kartel, many believed the entertainer would never realise his dream of travelling to the US,” the publication had noted.

The Star had also said that it had learnt that Popcaan had received a one-entry visa to the United States to participate in the Red Bull Clash.

Artist manager Julian Griffiths, according to The Star, had said back then that Popcaan’s visa was good news for Dancehall, and that his presence in the US market would “uplift the whole genre” and that he was confident the St. Thomas native would “maximise the opportunity.”

“He used the time (without a visa) wisely, and laid a strong global foundation.  He’s done incredibly well without being able to travel to the US. He has had the Drake cosign and has also had some really good collabs in the UK and Europe,” Griffiths added.

The issue of visa denial and revocation has plagued the Dancehall industry for years.

In 2010, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Aidonia, and veteran selector Ricky Trooper, had their visas revoked by the US Embassy, and an advisory was issued to airlines to prohibit them from boarding any flights to the country.  Mavado and Aidonia were later allowed to travel to the country again.

Beenie Man has also apparently seen a light at the end of the tunnel, after Afro Nation confirmed that, from 2023, he is now able to travel to the US for performances, including their Music Festival in Miami in May.

Popcaan’s plight comes just one day before the release of his latest album, Great Is He (GIHE). A listening and launch party was held in Kingston on Monday.

Though he frequents other countries like Canada and the UK, his excursions have not been without issues. 

Last July, Poppy took to Instagram to announce that once again he had been detained by immigration officers at an airport in the UK.  He shared his woes on his Instagram stories and tagged Prime Minister Andrew Holness, while calling for a resolution.

“They just give me this paper and detained me; because of information that was sent by my country that I should be stopped everytime I’m here.  I wonder why.  Mr Prime Minister of Jamaica, I would like to draw your attention to this once, again,” Popcaan had stated.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamina Johnson-Smith had strongly denied the government’s involvement in the matter, but the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) offered an explanation in a controversial press release.

In the release, the JCF revealed that the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) had issued a green notice alerting authorities to Popcaan’s alleged arrest for cocaine possession in 2011, and a conviction for marijuana possession in 2009, both in Barbados, and that this may have led to the immigration issues that the Ova Dweet singer faced in the UK.

However, in a lawsuit filed against the Government Of Jamaica and JCF, Popcaan has contended that he “has never been arrested in Barbados or any other place for possession of cocaine” and that his “conviction in relation to marijuana” was expunged from criminal records in April 2016.  Popcaan is seeking general damages, damages for defamation, interest, and legal costs in the matter. 

Meanwhile, some of the Risky deejay’s fans have been rallying behind him in the campaign.

“They know once you touch down its over, d place lock arffffff,” @longlashessss_ commented.

Another fan has speculated that the local government has a part to play in the deejay’s long-standing visa rigmarole.

“Y’all listening right? Is crazy cause when people asked me why is he not coming to America I be like they don’t wanna give him a visa ion know why. Y’all Jamaican govt messing up so bad. Is too much money waiting for this man out here,” @unruly876GAD said.

“You the best, no county gate should be shut in front of GREAT MEN as you are♥️♥️♥️ you know we gooooo.” @BromptonGeneral noted.

@HiMynameIsNEF_ said, “I’ve been saying this for years . Poppy can go everywhere in the world , but here . Just make sure NYC is your first stop when you touch down .”

But the call has been met with resistance from his African devotees, who have, instructed him to focus on the Motherland instead.  His Kenyan fans were robust in their comments on the issue.

“Come to Kenya first, you have been promising since 2012,” sleekseesghosts said.

“Be like Konshens and just come to Kenya,” jrobah said, while udayhusseingreat piped in: “GUD Kenya’s waited long for yuh myt force we kidnap you bredda wanna c u live f once inna Kenya.”

Other Africans joined in; one fan marcvillas presented what he surmised as the real reason Popcaan was being denied a visa.  

“Come to the pearl of Africa and leave dem butty boys we love you down here in Uganda,” he said, adding later “Probably coz you are the unruly boss and they don’t like anti gay in there country but we love u here in Uganda.”

“Come to Malawi, Nyasaland GIHE 876 GUD Wolla dem love yuh in each and every state/ country,” DonLAotzu, another fan posited.

Additionally, some of Popcaan’s compatriots declared that visiting the US was not important.

“It’s overrated bredda,” one man said, to which bigtingsglobal added: “Mek him know seh America ain’t all dat!!”

“I wouldn’t be so excited to enter a country where I could get shôt any time,” another man said.

Others sought to cast blame elsewhere.

“Y’all listening right? Is crazy cause when people asked me why is he not coming to America I be like they don’t wanna give him a visa ion know why. Y’all Jamaican govt messing up so bad. Is too much money waiting for this man out here,” ruly876 said.

“It’s because of what the embassy finds on the Internet,” another man said.