Left: Mavado in action at Sting. The crowd said he won, others say it was a draw. Right: Vybz Kartel says Mavado ran from the clash which is unfinished. - Nathaniel Stewart Photos

The clash was a draw. This seems to be the consensus among people within the entertainment industry, following the war of words between Vybz Kartel and Mavado at Sting on Friday night at Jamworld, Portmore, St Catherine.

Quite a number of those interviewed said both Kartel and Mavado were good in parts making it a draw. "Kartel was leading by a point or two until he said that part about the other artiste (Mavado's) mother. You can't disrespect somebody's mother, especially at Christmas time," Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams, security chief for Sting said.

"You know everybody have a soft spot for mothers at this time. So I would put it down to a draw." He added that if Kartel had not done that he would have won the clash.

The clash seemed to be all in Kartel's favour until he began talking about Mavado's mother and this did not go down well with the Sting crowd, some of whom began to boo. Mavado capitalised on this and did a swift counteraction.

Too close to call

A statement sent by Carla Hollingsworth, public relations director for Supreme Promotions (promoters of the event), said the clash was even. "The clash was too close to call. It was evenly poised," Isaiah Laing, head of Supreme Promotions said in the statement.

However, Nuffy, one of the MCs at the event, said the argument was not settled in his opinion because there were biases. "No one won di clash. Di clash was neva finish. You caan run away say you leave and call it say you win," he said.

His first issue was the fact that Mavado's entourage was on stage with him during the clash. He said his entourage were the ones who did the first set of booing against Kartel during his performance. In addition, Nuffy said the entourage was telling Mavado what to sing.

Disadvantage

Nuffy also felt Vybz Kartel was put at another disadvantage because Mavado's band, Anger Management, played throughout the clash. "Me is not Alliance nor an Empire man. Is not a friend ting. Mi nuh deh pan no man side. Dem break di rule," he said.

However Laing said that Kartel has not complained to him about the issues raised, so he could not comment on them.

Miss Kitty, another MC at the event, also did not name a winner instead commending both artistes for putting on a good show. "Mavado stood his ground and Kartel put up a good challenge," she said.

Most artistes also chose not to say who won. However General B from the Monster Empire said he gave the win to Kartel, although he would not say why. Laden also gave the edge to Kartel. "If someone have to lose I would say it was Mavado because he walked off the stage," he said.

Bunca Line, a selector from *lo**line did not award any artiste the win, stating that it was more 50/ 50. In addition he said the clash was unfinished and so it was hard to declare anyone the winner.

As for another clash at Sting next year, Laing said he will have to wait and see. "The year will dictate if there will be clash," he said in the statement.

Following the clash Mavado told THE STAR that he was the winner and is the 'baddest' deejay in Jamaica. Kartel however said Mavado ran out of lyrics and ran off the stage so he could not have won.