Black-er promises stinging return

Dancehall artiste Black-er is promising a stinging performance at this year's staging of Sting, which is set to take place at Jamworld Entertainment Complex in Portmore, St Catherine, on Boxing Day

The show, which is in its 40th year, is returning to its Portmore home, after being held at Grizzly's Entertainment Complex in St Ann last year. Similarly, Black-er, Bun Him hitmaker (along with Macka Diamond), will be making a grand return of his own. It will be the first time in a decade that he will be appearing on a Sting stage. He told THE STAR that he can't wait for his fans to see him in full flight.

"After so many years in the business, which spans more than 30 years, I have learnt to get my fans energised and keep the attention going. I have been learning from a lot of international acts, and my songs, which include Teck Off Supm, are easy and relatable," he said.

Organisers for this year's staging of Sting have named an impressive line-up of entertainers. The list includes 10 'giants' -- Bounty Killer, Tanya Stephens, Anthony B, Spragga Benz, Turbulence, Macka Diamond, Capleton, Fantan Mojah, Bugle, and Tommy Lee Sparta.

Black-er, who scored a hit with Macka Diamond, said he is more than prepared for his upcoming assignment.

"Being abroad has allowed me to learn so much about music, not only reggae music, but other genres. My meeting industry players means I have gained more fans and recognition for my work, while my top 25 charting songs have grown considerably over the years. All this makes me far relevant and attractive for this year's show. Finally, Macka Diamond being one of the 10 giants is also booked, and of course she and I have our big collaboration, Bun Him."

Black-er made his Sting debut in 1996 and pointed out that his inaugural performance to date remains his most memorable Sting moment. At the time he performed he shared stage with Biggie Smalls when he performed as a member of the Get Rich Crew.

Big Poppa and Notorious Thugs was a toast to some 30,000 loyal Sting patrons at Jamworld that night along with the now defunct Get Rich Crew of which Black-er was a member. The crew made up of (Black- er. Macho Kid, FreshX, and Little Wicked) carried two black leather suitcases on stage, from which they threw thousands of dollars in the open air, as fans rushed to secure as much as they could get.

Biggie Smalls, the Notorious BIG, who had broken his leg in a car accident three months earlier, performed in a wheelchair as his leg was still in a cast.