Stated as ‘final frontier’ and ‘the settlement of all argument’, Sting 2008 saw a vast turnout at Jamworld, Portmore, St Catherine, on Boxing Day. Queen Ifrica performed well She closed off a good showing with ”Daddy” and advised the wanna be bad men “keep it to yusself”.
While I-Octane, was one of the few non-combative artistes to score with the crowd going down the stretch to the clashes. He lyrically stabbed the vampire with a peg and introduced Spragga Benz, who rejoiced that “Rasta Run the World”.
‘Three The Hard Way’ with Ginjah, Stevie Face and Terry Linen was remarkably soft, the three coming on in quick succession rather than performing at the same time. Black Ryno was the first Portmore Empire member to come onstage, Pamputae was raw and scored more with humorous quips than her sex-laden chants.
Zebra received very little love and Flippa Mafia’s Dem Ya was punctuated with liquor splashing and money tossing, for which the audience cheered. Bugle ‘exercised’, Serani demanded “Doh” and “Bling Dawg” escaped as the handclaps started.
The warfare began with Kip Rich, who blasted the ‘Monster Flop’ crew and Aidonia wore out his good reception quickly, although the handclaps and the cheers alternated with confusing rapidity.
Spice came out in sexy boxing gear and, before the climactic clash; Kartel stepped out to do Ramping Shop with her. Assassin showed his skill and courage yet again, putting on a performance, which gradually engaged the clash-hungry audience as he worked his way to a “wha do dem guy deh” and dismissed the Sissy.
Beenie Man partied the morning away and the audience did so happily with him, the dancehall doctor coordinating hand waving while he did Frame I and Red Red Red, among other songs.
Then it was wartime, with Mavado and Kartel, Mavado getting some boos at points where his lyrics were a bit slow in coming as the battle went back and forth until the climactic moment when Mavado capitalized on a moment when Kartel went too low for the Sting crowd and was booed resoundingly.