Isaiah Laing, head of Supreme Promotions, which stages the huge Sting concert on Boxing Day annually has a J$10 million budget problem and rising.
Vybz Kartel is said to be demanding Us$100,000 (approximatelyJ$9 million) from the Supreme promoters to battle the two alliance deejays at the same time.
At the launch of Sting on Tuesday night, Laing said Elephant Man was running from a lyrical face-off with Flippa Mafia and, as a result the 'Energy God' would not be on the show.
However, Elephant Man says he is not running from a clash. Elephant Man says he is willing to clash Flippa Mafia at Sting if promoter Isaiah Laing is willing to pay him Us$55,000 (approximatelyJ$5 million).
Since Guinness gave up the title sponsorship of Sting, they have not had a sponsor pick up that huge role of title sponsorship causing the budget shortfall.However, there is a much more immediate need and Laing says Sting does not have sponsorship in its all-important platinum, gold and silver categories.
A platinum sponsor is required to put in US$500,000 on a three-year commitment and gets title sponsorship. A contribution of US$200,000 secures a gold categorisation and presenting sponsorship status, while an investment of US$90,000 is necessary for silver, or service sponsorship.