Vybz Kartel and Popcaan’s Dancehall Anthem “Clarks” Hits 50 Million Spotify Streams

15 years after its release, the dancehall anthem featuring Vanessa Bling continues to prove its worldwide impact, reviving Jamaica’s iconic footwear culture and earning its place among the deejay’s most-streamed hits.

Popcaan and Vybz Kartel perform during the Freddom Street concert (Photo: Jamar Cleary)

Vybz Kartel’s 2010 hit single “Clarks” featuring Popcaan and Vanessa Bling (Formerly Gaza Slim) has surpassed the 50 million Spotify streams milestone, proving its enduring global appeal over the past 15 years.

The “Clarks”  milestone follows another of Kartel’s classics, “Summertime,” which recently surpassed 50 million streams after receiving Silver certification in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), recognizing over 200,000 sales and streaming equivalents. Clarks is now Kartel’s third most-streamed single on the platform, following “Summertime” and “Fever,” which boasts over 130 million streams.

Featured on ZJ Chrome’s Mad Collab Riddim compilation, the track has become one of the most internationally recognizable dancehall songs of the last 25 years—an undeniable anthem at parties across the world.

While Clarks had already been a staple in Jamaican culture since the early ’90s, the collaboration with Popcaan and Gaza Slim sparked a nationwide craze for the footwear, turning it into a cultural phenomenon. The hit also reignited international interest in the UK-based shoe brand, restoring its reputation as a timeless fashion essential embraced by fans across generations.

Its impact continues to resonate, with Kartel performing the track as part of his World’ Boss tour. He even shared the stage with Popcaan to perform the anthem during the Wireless Festival in July, in front of over 50,000 fans chanting every word.

In 2023, Popcaan and the British footwear brand collaborated to launch a unique collection of shoes named after the Unruly Boss moniker. The limited-edition series sold out almost immediately.