‘Party Shot’

The entrance, the surprises, the production level, the old cars and zinc fence used to replicate real street vibes, all came together seamlessly as Popcaan and the team did their big one at Streetz Festival at the National Stadium’s parking lot on Saturday.

While the show suffered a very late start, which saw Popcaan taking the stage at approximately 1:26 Sunday morning, the wait proved well worth it. The dancehall superstar not only lived up to his billing as headliner, he delivered a performance that left thousands of fans buzzing long after the final beat dropped.

The show-stopping moment of the night came with Popcaan’s entrance. Similar to what he did at Unruly Fest in St Thomas in 2019, Andrae Hugh Sutherland — better known as Popcaan — descended dramatically from above. He was lowered by a crane as he belted out his tune, Nothing Without God. Fans erupted in awe as they recorded the epic entrance.

Once his feet hit the stage, Popcaan launched into a barrage of hits, including crowd favourites such as We Nuh Fear Dem, Rup Rup, Party Shot, and the global smash, Clarks. Each track had the near sold-out venue vibrating, hands in the air, and phones recording what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

But Popcaan didn’t keep the spotlight all to himself. He brought fresh fire to the stage by welcoming young dancehall star Najeeriii, who had the crowd chanting along to his songs. Later, he surprised fans by bringing out former Miss World, Toni-Ann Singh, for a touching duet of their song, Next to me. The chemistry between the two was undeniable as usual, sparking a wave of flashing phone lights across the venue. Singh followed with her original single Keep Going, a motivational anthem that resonated deeply with fans.

The surprises didn’t end there. Dancehall veteran Nitty Kutchie joined Popcaan to take fans down memory lane, before international rap star, 21 Savage, stormed the stage, unleashing his biggest hits as fans cheered. The seamless mix of dancehall, nostalgia, and international flair ensured the success of Streetz Festival.

Beyond the stage, the festival also highlighted the role of brands in fuelling Jamaican culture. Nathan Nelms, Heineken brand manager, spoke to The Gleaner about Dragon Stout’s partnership with the event.

“Streetz is pure Jamaican energy, unfiltered and creative. That’s the same vibe Dragon Stout has always stood for. So, partnering with Streetz felt natural as we continue to be champions of Jamaican street culture and support our music and culture.”

Nelms said that his brand “will continue showing up in spaces that matter to our consumers, whether through music or community empowerment”.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com