As the Jamaican entertainment landscape braces for what is shaping up to be a thrilling end to 2024, tensions are simmering between the organisers of the iconic Sting festival and dancehall titan Vybz Kartel. The source of the friction? Kartel’s decision to stage his first major performance post-incarceration in December—a move that could potentially compete with Sting’s long-standing status as the premier year-end event.
Tahheer Laing, one of Sting’s key promoters, has expressed disappointment over Kartel’s choice, urging the artist to join Sting 2024 instead of creating a competing event. “I would rather have Vybz Kartel on Sting than competing with us,” Laing remarked, even offering Kartel a dedicated night at the festival. Sting, which has been a staple in the dancehall calendar since 1984, is set to expand to a three-night format for the first time, making this year’s edition particularly significant.
While Kartel’s December concert remains shrouded in mystery, with no official date announced, the involvement of industry heavyweights Skatta Burrell and Joe Bogdanovich, the organisers of Reggae Sumfest, has already created a buzz. The Gaza boss has also taken to social media to engage his fan base in selecting a name for the event, further fueling anticipation. However, Isaiah Laing, the former head of Sting and a figure with whom Kartel has had past tensions, voiced his concerns, stating, “Mek him come get him glory. But don’t come pon my pathway in December. Him shouldn’t choose December because when him duh dat now, is like him a look war.”
Laing’s comments underscore the potential for a rivalry between the two events, as Sting has traditionally been the crowning event of the dancehall year. With both parties holding strong positions, the stage is set for a possible showdown that could reshape the dancehall landscape as we know it.
