Despite being marred by an early morning physical altercation involving dancehall upstarts Fully Bad, Kyodi, and Honormosity, which led to the detention of the entertainers and several entourage members, the 2023 edition of STING held at Jamworld, Portmore in St. Catherine, showcased some stellar performances earlier in the night. These performances provided patrons with hope for a return to the glory days and a promise of quality entertainment.
Amidst the night’s distractions and diverse offerings, the most notable sets came from entertainers within the Rastafarian community. Standout performances were delivered by Bugle, Capleton, Turbulence, Fanton Mojah, and Chuck Fenda. They almost literally set the stage ablaze with their fiery performances and masterful deliveries, paving the way for Bounty Killer and some of the new generation of talent.
In the dancehall realm, Bounty Killer, Cham, and newcomer Suspense stood head and shoulders above their peers. An honourable mention must also be given to the 90s dancehall segment featuring General B and others. During the segment, the veteran deejay fell off stage but quickly recovered. Despite various stage props, lyrical shots, and onstage theatrics, many established and upcoming dancehall talents were not well-received.
Following the curtains coming down on the 40th Anniversary edition of what was once considered the greatest one-night show on earth, fans declared this year’s staging an improvement over the previous, though acknowledging there is still room for significant refinements. Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police Christopher Phillips, head of the St. Catherine South division, commended officers for their quick intervention, acknowledging their role in promptly ending the altercation. Despite the chaotic end, Phillips praised the organizers of Sting and disclosed plans for a debriefing session with promoters to address necessary improvements.
