Not only is deejay Vybz Kartel adamant that he will not be attending Sting this year, but he is now saying that without the 'Gully' and 'Gaza' presence this year's event will not be as successful as in previous years.

"The Gaza and the Gully control dancehall music, and in our absence I can guarantee this Sting will be the floppiest Sting ever," the deejay said in an interview with THE STAR yesterday

His comments came after Isaiah Laing, the promoter of the annual event, said in an interview published in THE STAR yesterday that both artistes (Mavado and Vybz Kartel) won't be clashing, and by themselves they would not pull a thousand persons.

two biggest names

Kartel, after seeing Laing's comment, expressed a desire to respond. "Laing says that Vybz Kartel and Mavado, who are the two biggest names in dancehall music right now, can't pull a thousand people. So it would be fair to say then that all the artistes on Sting this year combined will not be pulling more than about 50 people," he said.

Both acts had also previously announced that they would not be performing at the event. Kartel confirmed last week that he will not be at the Boxing Day, December 26 event, slated for Jamworld in Portmore, St Catherine, despite being advertised on the poster. In Tuesday's STAR, it was also confirmed that singjay Mavado will not be on the show.

However, Laing in the article said that any void left by Mavado would be filled by other artistes in the line-up. "We have the likes of Sizzla right in the slot there. We don't think it will make a big difference," he said.

The promoter went on to explain in yesterday's article that there would be other crowd pullers like the Beenie Man and Bounty Killer collaboration, I-Octane and Khago.

Sting promoter Isaiah Laing

"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.

But while Laing is seeking to encourage patrons to attend Sting, Kartel is trying to pull them to another event. The deejay, in closing, said, "I'd just like to tell my Gaza fans to come party with the Teacha in The Building nightclub (in New Kingston) this Boxing Day."