After not being on the posteror mentioned at the launch, it was confirmed yesterday that dancehall artiste Mavado will not be making an appearance at this year's Sting.

Speaking with THE STAR, Mavado's manager Julian Jones-Griffith said, "He's definitely not doing it."

Sting's promoter Isaiah Laing also confirmed this.

"He won't be on the show. I spoke to his manager and he said he would get back to me and he didn't, so we went ahead with the show," he said.

WON'T BE CLASHING

Laing explained that any void left by Mavado will be filled by other artistes on the line-up.

"We have the likes of Sizzla right in the slot there. We don't think it will make a big difference. They (Mavado and Vybz Kartel) won't be clashing and them by themselves won't pull a thousand people," Laing told THE STAR.

The promoter said there would be other crowd pullers like the Beenie Man and Bounty Killer collaboration, Sizzla, I-Octane and Khago.

"The entire 13 warriors are gonna sell the show. No one person can't do it. This is Sting. This show is going to be huge 'cause we have so much to sell the show. Every angle you look at, it's going to be real excitement," he said, noting that Lady Saw would also be making an appearance after a seven-year absence.

Stressing performances this year, Laing said there would also be a bonus cash award for the artiste who gives the best performance.

"There's going to be a Sting award for the best performer, and it will be in the form of cash for both male and female," Laing said.