‘December a fi everybody’ - Sting promoters move full speed ahead

Organisers of Sting, the iconic Boxing Day reggae and dancehall showdown, have officially confirmed that the show will go on -- despite pressure to cancel and avoid clashing with Vybz Kartel's much-anticipated 'Freedom Street' party on New Year's Eve.

Though initially teased as a three-night extravaganza, Sting will now stick to its traditional one-night format for 2024. In a fiery Instagram post, the event promoters declared, "DECEMBER A FI EVERYBODY #onejamaica".

Fans can brace themselves for a December to remember as the entertainment line-up heats up. Alongside Sting in St Catherine, partygoers can look forward to the Tea-cup Food and Music Festival and Milk in Clarendon on December 26, Strictly 2K on December 28, Sherlock All-White on December 29, Sandz White Oasis on January 1, and Bounty Killer and Friends on January 3.

Last week, music scholar Clyde McKenzie, contacted by THE STAR for comment on the possibility of having successful staging of events that are so close to each other on the calendar, said promoters make the call based on the knowledge of the market and the strength of their resources.

"This decision is largely a function of one's resources. If the market is crowded and I want to enter or remain in the business environment, then I should ensure that I can coexist with the competition, or that I am able to prevail in the marketplace, given the resources at my disposal," he said.

"My competitor will be guided by what is in his or her best interest, and is really not obligated to take into account whether he or she will do damage to my business by competing against me. His or her primary concern will be how his or her business will fare and not what will happen to mine. What happens to my business is my business," McKenzie reasoned.

Since the announcement of Freedom Street for December 31, many have pondered what will be the outcome of Sting. Entertainment personality MC Nuffy recently made a post on social media, calling for Sting's promoter to "...give Kartel this December" and not allow Sting to become a "disgraced brand" by having the show this year.

Dubbed 'The Greatest one night Reggae and Dancehall Show On Earth', Sting is a stage show known for its high-energy performances and star-studded line-ups. In an earlier interview with THE STAR, promoter Tahheer Laing said he saw no need to pull back this year, stating that "the cake is big for everyone to share".