Popcaan and Preme dropped their latest collaboration in the wake of new single ‘Comfortable’, to share five more tracks of international Dancehall and Hip Hop flavor. This time, through an EP fittingly entitled “Link Up’“, we see multiple star-studded collaborations which back the tracklist’s discussion of themes ranging from relationships and love, to gold digging, lifestyles of success, partying, and rank.
The Unruly Boss and his OVO Sound counterpart’s effort begins with ‘Wining Queen’, a track featuring Wiz Khalifa, as well as a guitar sample from Chingy’s ‘One Call Away’. These elements establish the track’s old Hip Hop sound while Popcaan’s undiluted, distinct vocals resonate over chords and tropical beats characteristically dancehall in their feel.
Next comes ‘Freeze’ and ‘Weekend’, rife with upbeat rhythms, rich lyrics, and metaphors aplenty. All of these factors combine to convey both artists’ successful careers through dedications to extravagant diamond jewelry and the equally lavish weekend turn-ups that accompany their lifestyle. ‘Poppy’ reminds listeners that his wrist “a freeze” because of his icy diamond watches, while Preme uses his verse to clarify that their comeups were genuinely achieved, “without doing no dealings with the devil”. ‘Weekend’ serves as a reminiscent remembrance to carefree weekends spent with friends and lovers, especially pre-quarantine.
Davido joins the ‘Link Up’ in the fourth track, with his feature on the EP’s leading single ‘Comfortable’ to add some Afrobeat flavor to the rocking discussion of a perfectly imperfect love that perseveres and survives despite meeting opposition in life’s day-to-day trials. His distinctive sound further perpetuates the storytelling aspects of the song, while maintaining Preme’s intimate message and Popcaan’s soothing tone. This track is the only one off the EP so far with an accompanying music video. Animated and directed by Soul Proprietor Studio, the video blends seamless imagery and eye-catching transitions with the song’s lyrics in another, creatively cohesive collaboration.
‘Love Costs Too Much’ steps in to explore money-grabbing, gold digging women who come part and parcel with fame and don’t seem to care genuinely for the artists as either persons or lovers, but rather for the glitz and glam of their lifestyle. This is a topic not often explored so honestly in these genres, thus the track’s partnership with BEAM, son of dancehall/gospel reggae star Papa San, provides a refreshingly straightforward perspective that is even more likeable due to its musical catchiness.
Finally, the collaboration’s close features ‘MURDA’, a standout hit from Popcaan’s quarantine-released “FIXTAPE”. The French Montana team up swaps out the upbeat dance vibe for a more raw, street sound filled with Popcaan’s notorious genre of intelligently styled “bad man ting” lyrics. This track aims to solidify and restate the trio’s power, status, lack of fear, and promise to defend these positions and never back down in the face of those who do not wish them well. Popcaan’s distinctive phrase, ”Killy Killy”, can be heard at both the beginning and end of the song, providing an ominous, yet familiar vibe to end the EP that truly contains the essence of one whole, international sound.
Familiarly-styled rhythms, strong hooks, catchy choruses, interesting infusions of genre, and smartly selected features provide “Link Up” with a solid foundation to be as anticipated and successful as it has been so far. This body of work serves as a great escape for fans of Dancehall and Hip Hop, especially in these challenging times where you might just feel like running away.
“Link Up” is distributed by Reps Up Entertainment / EMPIRE. Listen above this aritcle.
