“I believe Vybz Kartel deserves all the success in music. I have no issue with him hosting his show, but as a businessman, I think it’s important for everyone to have their space. For example, [Reggae] Sumfest takes place in the summer, and no similar event is held during Sumfest week to compete with it. So, when it comes to December, everyone knows that it’s Sting time,” Laing told THE STAR.
“Kartel can hold his show tomorrow or any day until the new year, and people will still turn out because Vybz Kartel is dancehall. But sometimes it feels like we’re being subtly challenged, because whenever a stage show is mentioned and Kartel is involved, Sting’s name is bound to come up,” Laing added. He mentioned that if Vybz Kartel’s show were held right now, he would attend as a fan.
“Kartel could host his show in December, but the timing matters. If he schedules it in the first week of December, that’s fine because it allows people time to recover financially. So, spacing is crucial,” he explained.
Former Sting boss, Isaiah Laing, Tahheer’s father, stated that while Vybz Kartel deserves his moment to shine, the date he chooses for his show, and whether he performs at Sting, will reveal if he truly cares about Sting’s legacy.
“He’s been away for so long, let him enjoy his moment. But he shouldn’t cross into my territory in December. If he does that, it’s like he’s picking a fight,” Isaiah Laing said. “Given our history, I’ve done some of the greatest things for him, like signing his very first contract.” He expressed hope that Vybz Kartel would take things slow and make wise decisions as he reenters society.
“Not even your worst enemy should be in [prison], so I’m glad he’s out. But he needs to understand that life on the outside is different from 14 years ago. He should take his time to adjust before making big decisions,” Isaiah advised.
Sting 2024 is set to be a three-night festival from December 26-28, and Tahheer Laing is open to the idea of giving Vybz Kartel an entire night to himself rather than postponing the event.
“I’d love to dedicate a whole night to Vybz Kartel if it fits into their schedule. I’d give him 70% of the show and take 30%,” Tahheer proposed. He mentioned that he’s open to a business meeting to discuss this offer with the ‘Worl’ Boss’.
Despite some changes to previous announcements, Tahheer Laing remains committed to his plans for Sting’s first-ever three-night festival. The event will feature the original Sting stage show on December 26 at JamWorld, followed by a street dance and sound clash on December 27 at the Kingston Waterfront, and a beach party on December 28 at Fort Rocky.
“Sting has always been the greatest one-night show, full of surprises. You can never count Sting out. We’re coming with explosive performances, and with the transition to a three-night festival, there’s even more to look forward to, so everyone should come out and enjoy the change,” he said.
