KipRich - Contributed

It appears that dancehall artiste KipRich has now turned back on his decision not to clash music counterpart Merciless, or even appear on this weekend's stage show, The Settlement, set to take place at Links in St Thomas.

The slick-talking deejay, born Marlon Plunkett, is now demanding $1.5 million from promoter Tommy Thompson after previous media reports had linked the deejay to a potential clash at the event.

"My management and I are asking for $1.5 million. Him mus' can find dat easy, easy because a dead him bury and him dun seh him will do anything fi mek him show happen," said the deejay via the telephone.

However, an infuriated Thompson scoffed at KipRich's demand saying he would not consider it, as the deejay had allowed his ego to get the better of him.

In a story published in this newspaper last Friday, Thompson, who owns Brite Lite Funeral Home, accused theParty Time lyricist of chickening out of a potential clash, even though no real arrangements had been made between the two parties.

"My only conclusion, cause everything has been going on well, is that he's afraid of the possibility that a clash might happen. But the show must go on," said Thompson in a previous interview after KipRich had disclosed he wouldn't attend the event.

However, according to KipRich, after he initially agreed to perform a normal set, of the news of a possible 'lyrical showdown' began circulating.

He said this could affect his career negatively should he maintain his stance not to attend the show. "Mi would love to perform only for my fans yes, but when a man a put things ina di paper seh mi a run, mi haffi defend myself," he said.

lyrical showdown

The deejay believes that Thompson is trying to lure him into a clash by using the influence of the media. KipRich performed for free at Sting 2009 when he engaged in another lyrical showdown with General B.

But, the deejay said he's not prepared to make such commitments again. "Laing (Sting promoter) got a Christmaspresent cause dat (General B) duppy dead fi free, mi never get nuh money fi dat," he said.

He added: "But mi nah gi nuh man nuh Valentine's gift. Laing get a present but mi nuh gi man gift." KipRich also said he received a phone call from Thompson on Saturday morning regarding the numerous rumours circulating.

"Him (Thompson) call mi and a tell mi seh things get outta hand with di media and that he was upset with it because people been talking about it," he said.

The Settlement is advertised as the burial ground for graffiti artiste L.A. Lewis and deejay Mr. G as well as Queen Paula versus Lisa Hyper. Should Thompson reach KipRich's asking price, the deejay said he would be ready and waiting.

Thompson, however, said he would never pay KipRich such a sum. "He has never in his entire history worked for that amount. Why should The Settlement, a new event, pay this amount?" asked Thompson.

He added: "I would be unfair to everyone else on the show if I pay him that. That didn't even cross my mind because, ultimately, KipRich is not the main attraction on the show," he said.

Thompson said he would only pay that amount on one condition.

"Of course, he could make that demand. But, is there any logic in that? Where does the ethics come in all this? The only way I could consider that is if he could guarantee 15,000 (people) inside that venue. Then I would pay him like the $9 million," he said.