The remnants of a huge crowd, at Sting 2007 turned away from the stage at Jamworld Portmore at 7:32 a.m., today.

Those who remained were mainly in the VIP section as the regular entry section emptied out during the closing group performance of Vybz Kartel, Aidonia and other members of the Portmore Empire. The Empire closed off a concert with numerous band changes and a mixed line-up with the overall result well below Sting's explosive standards.

Ninja at Sting

Early excitement came from Ninja Man who was slated to perform at 11:45 p.m., but actually did not hit the stage until 1:16 a.m., demanding a clash which never materialised. Although there were brief flashes from Fanton Mojah, Shane-O and Bugle with Warrior King and I-Octane getting a more sustained positive response, it was not until two hours after Mr. Sting that Assassin opening with Gully Sitten and closing with Don' Mek mi Hol Yuh provided a much satisfactory showing.

It was the beginning of a dancehall run with Mavado originally slated for 12:45 a.m., coming on close to 3:30 a.m. With every song from his opening take on Amazing Grace earning huge forwards through departures and returns to the stage, he had by far the night's the best extended sustained showing.

Bounty Killer complimented his offspring on a good showing, himself earning a strong response which heightened when he addressed 'Fisheenie', and adjusted a line in Cyaan Believe Mi Eye to 'Cyan believe seh Kartel bleach out him face.'

However, the ill-timed mixture of deejays and cultural singers that was part of the weakness of Sting 2007, began with Jah Cure coming on just past 4:00 a.m. Although he was very warmly received during his 30-minute performance with Longing For, Richie Spice who followed was not. Goodbye handclaps beginning in Grooving My Girl.

Richie Spice was not the only person to suffer the handclap fate as Deva Bratt, Junior Reid and Hero also received such responses. Busy Signal, coming on at 5:00 a.m. was in good form, climaxing with Nah Go a Jail Again but Deva Bratt followed.

A band change and Hero did not help and it was Etana's closing, Roots that got her in the audience graces. There was a strong run of short showings from Ifrica whose closing Daddy hit home. Lutan Fyah blazed fire on the Catholic priests; Chuck Fendah who 'gashed away' and Notorious Turbulence and Royal Tarrus Riley. But then came Junior Reid at 6:30 a.m.with his guest rapper Eve who was not saved from the hand clap fate.

Sting 2007 surged to a close with Spice 'talking up the di tings dem' on Beenie Man and D'Angel with explosive effect. Anthony B went for the groin and did some good Damage and the Portmore Empire, Aidonia up first calling up Kartel and the rest of the crew put a lid on Sting 2007.

However, although many of the Empire's song struck a chord with the audience, the exchange of lyrics on stage was far from the emphatic closing required from Sting 2007 to compensate for the lulls before. There was a single crowd disturbance at the rear left during Mavado's performance which did not interrupt the flow of songs.