Popcan has quietly contributed to the last three years of songs of the summer. He appeared on Jamie XX’s 2015 party anthem “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” and on Drake’s inescapable 2016 billboard smash “Controlla.” One of Jamaica’s most successful dancehall artists, his sound has been co-opted by American pop stars who are clamoring for the global aesthetic of his genre. A Popcan song can survive in any market in the world, which has become the key to success in this modern music ecosystem defined by streaming numbers. And few acts have defied the constraints of genre than Gorillaz. Self-described music diplomat Damon Albarn has collaborated with Popcan on a track that maintains their individual backgrounds, while elevating the track into an eerie and universal experience.
