It may be the slight dip into summer temperatures New York experienced this past weekend, or the wave of debate following Vybz Kartel’s conviction, but I’ve been on a vintage dancehall binge, crossfading between tabs of Red Fox and Red Rat and itching for July backyard bashments. So when more than one friend passed along this acoustic medley of Popcaan cuts, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
But 18-year-old Canadian Lucas DiPasquale has proven to be more than another voyeurist with a guitar and YouTube login: Popcaan himself tweeted the cover, firing the vid into viral territory and prompting a groundswell of enthusiastic support from native Jamaicans. Lucas’ nearly fluent handling of the strong patois on Popcaan’s "Ravin," from light lines like Gyal dem love how mi Clarks dem lace up, to the straight islandism Gyal dash weh like crab outta bag, has gained him airplay on Kingston institution Zip FM and an interview with Link Up Radio's Miss Kitty. But his Bieber-meets-Bobish twist of Luci ah di only man she want seals the deal. Lucas admits he doesn’t speak patois natively, but plans to tackle "Everything Nice" next. Rispeck. Stream his interview with Link Up Radio below.
