Sting newcomers excited after making debuts

Harkening back to Sting stagings of old, the greatest one night reggae and dancehall show on Earth returned with a host of newcomers making their debut.

Among the artistes taking the Sting stage for the first time were Chappzs, Statikk, Richie West, Negus, Shanel Allen and Sita.

For Chappzs, who said he knew music was his path from the tender age of seven, getting the call to be on the show was like getting a Grammy Award.

He said, "So me is a big big fan of Sting. Yow believe me it's a wonderful feeling. Mi can't even talk, me just a act calm. But really and truly, it's like collecting a Grammy fi me, trust me, 'cause fi most artiste, this is just another show. Fi me, my first Sting is a big debut, that's why me come so clean inna me suit."

"From we likkle man a go a school we a watch Sting and a listen Vybz Kartel song dem and affi a hide and sing them cause you know a whole heap a bad word," he said laughing.

Likewise, fellow first-timer Statikk told THE STAR that he did not have the words to express his emotions.

"This stage is basically the start of my career. I don't have the words to explain how overwhelmed I am," Statikk said. "I am proud of myself 'cause it's my first time. I was told I should ... be nervous, maybe have panic attack. But what I did, I eliminated that. I went up there with nothing but the Most High."

Statikk, whose given name is Davian Gray, was among a myriad of artistes from the western end of the island, including Richie West.

"Is a good energy. Is my first major staging. Growing up, you know say at the end of the year a the biggest event and is a joy fi see it rebirth and know me is a part of it," said West. "Is a great feeling and is a good vibe to introduce yourself. You know you nuh major pon the platform, but at the end of the day, you still a get eyes, you still a get ears. So you know you affi just grateful and do the work."