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Artiste manager and event promoter Junior ‘Heavy D’ Fraser is putting together a workforce to assist with stage management and execution for the return of Sting in December.
After the official re-launch, which takes place on Tuesday, November 8, the gears will shift into full swing, he told THE WEEKEND STAR.
“The team has been working hard to get everything ready for the launch and for the main event in December. From July up to now, we have not taken a day off,” Heavy D said.
“Sting has been known to employ lots more people in comparison to a lot of shows. We pride ourselves on contributing to job creation, even for the period of planning and execution, and have employed as many as 1,000 persons for the one-night event,” he continued.
It was first announced that Sting, dubbed the ‘Greatest One Night Reggae and Dancehall Show on Earth’ would return to Jamaica’s event calendar in 2020 after a four-year hiatus. But this plan was dampened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Known previously as a stomping ground for dancehall entertainers, many have used the Sting stage show, which debuted in 1984, as an opportunity to clash their main competitor, and as a launchpad to prove their lyrical prowess to the entertainment industry. In its prime, the show became well known for clashes, and was thought to be the closing event of the year, where artistes who are ‘at war’ could settle their disagreements.
Some of the most memorable clashes include Merciless versus Ninja Man, Beenie Man versus Bounty Killer in 2000, Vybz Kartel versus Ninja Man in 2003, and Vybz Kartel versus Mavado in 2008.
While Heavy D has not revealed if there will be clashes, he shared that artistes have been carefully and strategically selected. He also stated that the number of artistes performing has been cut in half for the purpose of stage logistics. Some of the artistes who have been confirmed are Skeng, Moyann, Jafrass, KipRich, Dovey Magnum and Valiant.
“We usually have bout 100 artistes pon di stage, but we cut it inna half with each person a get five to 10 minutes to perform. It’s a tight schedule but it will be just as exciting and entertaining, even better,” he said.
“Approximately 45 artistes have been confirmed for Sting this year. All of that, line-up, logistics, the difference we’re bringing to the sector as we enter a new phase, will be announced at [Tuesday’s] re-launch. I’m proud of the direction we are headed as a team and as an event,” Heavy D continued.
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