Garfene Grandison, Star Writer

Last year saw the rise of a few new talents in the Jamaican entertainment industry. One of these such talents is Andre Sutherland, more popularly know as Popcaan, a budding star in the Gaza Family.

It was a milestone year for popcaan in 2009 as his career took off with hits like Nuh Ordinary Girl, and then again in 2010 with New Year, Fake Friend and Up Inna Di Club.

popular catchphrases

His most famous line, "Weh you get da new Clarks deh, Dawdie" has become one of the popular catchphrases taken from the smash single Clarks, which is currently sitting atop the #1 position on Mediaguide's chart for Reggae radio singles in the US.

Popcaan is enjoying a steady meteoric rise in the ranks of dancehall's prolific deejays. He continues to enjoy a virtual hammerlock on FM radio with the sizzling success of Clarks, the high-octane collaboration with Vybz Kartel and label mate Vanessa Bling, also know as Gaza Slim.

The single is also getting major rotation on HOT 97 in New York introducing the young deejay to a new vast audience.

This rising star has been keeping himself busy in the entertainment industry, promoting his Clarks collaboration as well as his newest single Dream.

He recently shot a medley video, Gangsta City alongside Vybz Kartel and Shawn Storm. The singjay continues to pound out sizzling singles.

Last week, he performed in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, at a club called Mystic and this week he will be jetting off to The Bahamas with members of the Portmore Empire to rock a stage show in Freeport. According to the sentiments in his new single titled Dream, Popcaan is "truly living the dream."

His latest Dream appears to be semi-autobiographical as it aims to tell the story of his journey from an average 'ghetto yout' to his current standing as one of Adidjahiem Record label's top talents.

In a recent interview with THE STAR, Popcaan had this to say:

"Is a real-life story. No fiction ting. Every ghetto youth hopes to one day rise out of the slum and become a success, I am on my way to fulfilling my dream and I want my life to be an inspiration for anyone out there trying to overcome the odds in Jamaica. It's really about my life and I know that most 'ghetto yutes' can relate to my struggles."

Popcaan has big dreams for himself and he doesn't plan on stopping here. He acknowledges that he would love to release an album one day but that isn't his main focus right now.

His new mixed tape that will be released at the end of the month is his main project. This mixed tape he claims will consist of a few new tracks, but mostly his old material.