Dancehall luminary Andre Sutherland, renowned as Popcaan, has allied with the esteemed British footwear titan Clarks Originals. In an interview with Highsnobiety, a notable online publication encompassing an array of lifestyle and fashion facets such as apparel, sneakers, music, art, and culture, Popcaan delved into the partnership and his profound love for the brand.
Popcaan’s connection to Clarks Originals runs deep. The entertainer, celebrated for the timeless “Clarks” anthem he co-authored with Vybz Kartel in 2010, hails from Jamaica, where the British footwear label has made an indelible mark.
“My earliest memory of Clarks is wanting one to wear to school and couldn’t afford it,” Popcaan shared. “Clarks was perceived to be a clean and respected look in the streets of Jamaica. First time I saw a pair was on some Rasta man street people wearing them. To wear a pair of Clarks to school nowadays is still considered a plus,” he added.
Presently, the Unruly Boss embarks on a Clarks Originals odyssey through a collaborative Wallabee Boot slated for an online release on November 10, 2023. Popcaan has infused his distinctive flair into the Wallabee, adorning it with a striking red and black camouflage pattern intertwined with his signature ‘Unruly’ emblem.
“The Wallabee is my favourite Clarks [shoe], so it’s only right,” alluding to why he chose that particular silhouette. “Red, black and purple are unruly colours. Big up, Clarks; we going harder on the next design in store.”
While the Wallabee might be Popcaan’s cherished Clarks shoe, the brand transcends mere footwear for the 35-year-old artist; it is an emblem, a statement.
“Wearing a pair of Clarks makes you a part of the street culture, so when politicians and them wear Clarks, they think it’s cool to the streets,” he expounded. “The brand means a lot to my culture, so it’s naturally a part of Jamaican history known worldwide. We all take to it, and I guess as kids live, they’ll learn.”
Meanwhile, on the musical front, there is a notable accomplishment in the global music arena. The collaboration “Risky” between Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Davido and the Unruly Boss Popcaan has exceeded the one million Shazam milestone. This achievement not only fortifies their artistic partnership but also stands as a significant milestone for each artist individually.
For Davido, “Risky” now stands as his fourth most Shazamed track as a lead artist, underscoring the burgeoning international recognition of his unique blend of Afrobeat and dancehall. On the other hand, Popcaan’s “Risky” ranks as his second most Shazamed track, a testament to his enduring influence within the reggae and dancehall genres.
