‘Sting must keep’ - Tahheer, Isaiah Laing determined that ‘cultural institution’ will not die

Despite public rants, coupled with direct warnings to 'cancel the event', promoter of Sting Tahheer Laing and his predecessor and father, Isaiah Laing, are adamant that "Sting must go on", following the media launch on Tuesday.

"Mi just know seh dem cya stop it, believe mi dem can't stop it," Tahheer confidently told THE STAR. "Sting is a [show] weh olda dan mi and yuh...and nuff man a try tear it down. But Sting big and a wi build nuff a dem but mi think mi daddy bawl bout dat enough. Suh a my time fi try turn di hands of time, turn the tables and the wheels and mek it keep spinning. So I have a lot of new visions [and] ideas for the brand."

The launch was held on the Entertainment Ministry's complex in New Kingston. Laing said he is blocking out all negativity and naysayers while pressing on with assisting in making Sting 2024 a success.

"The show is getting some kinda fight, everybody is seeing it - di whole Jamaica see it. Everybody want di show not to keep, why?" an emotional Laing questioned. "A cultural institution like this must die? It shouldn't, a it mek everybody...the people that I build in the industry, they are the ones that is fighting it."

However, Laing said though he was hell-bent on ensuring that Sting hosts its 41-year celebration this year, he's now reassured after the "positive feedback and reception" he received from the launch.

"Right now, mi have on mi blinkers. Sting must keep, Sting must go on and I don't care what else is happening. The 26th of December belongs to Sting. That has been the case for 41 years and nobody never try to compete with that date. The [naysayers] are talking about the show ago dis or ago dat but our tickets are selling," Laing declared.

The show's line-up features reggae/dancehall veterans such as Jigsy King, Major Mackerel, Queen Paula, Tony Curtis and General B, listed under the 'Foundation' artistes' category. Joining them are youngsters such as Skippa, Jamal Dunceman, Kuanna and AceGawd, who are dubbed 'Star Bound' acts. Musical stalwarts such as, Gyptian, Teflon Young King, Macka Diamond, Turbulence and Tommy Lee Sparta are also booked. Other acts are yet to be announced.

"The [artiste] line-up is a good one because I even have a section in there called the 'Unsung Heroes' which is a tribute to many [musicians] here in Jamaica that don't get the recognition and they are very good artistes and in this section, I will feature about five of them on the show this year," shared Laing, adding that, "the reaction of the crowd proved to me that the line-up that we have can and will work".

"I mix the foundation artistes and the young people because yuh can't kill foundation, yuh affi build it".

Jigsy King, in an emotional speech during his performance at the launch, recalled that as a youngster leaving Kingston College, 'Fadda Laing' gave him the chance to perform at Sting.

"Mr Laing, mi know yuh tell mi seh fi 'Slow down' but some a wi artiste is ungrateful because Mr Laing gi di whole a wi a platform and tun di whole a wi inna millionaire. Mi affi respect Mr Laing because if a neva fi [him], dancehall wouldn't deh which part it deh. Sting a ghetto people ting...Mr Laing, nuff respect," he said said as he removed his hat and bowed to the crowd. Laing expressed his love for Jigsy King in return.

Sting is set to ignite on Boxing Day, with the annual live stage show, dubbed 'Sting Live' at JamWorld, Portmore St Catherine. On day two of the festival, slated for December 28, partygoers will be treated to a 'Hawwt Chocolate' beach fete at Sugarman's Beach also in Portmore.