Laa Lee Not Ruling Out Clashing At Sting: “But Mi A Guh Meck People Laugh”
Tip Inna It deejay Laa Lee says he is not averse to clashing at Sting if the performance fee is “right”, as not only is penning clash lyrics “easy”, but he would inject humor to keep the hardcore Dancehall crowd at the event in stitches.
Laa Lee was speaking in an interview with Television Jamaica’s Anthony Miller, when the veteran journalist asked him whether “Isiah Laing call you about Sting yet?”
“Not yet, but when him call, wi ready – from di dollas right,” said Laa Lee, who is fresh from a tour of the UK.
When asked by Miller whether he envisions himself performing on the legendary one-night Dancehall show, Laa Lee explained that writing clash lyrics was a simple thing, which he, being a native of the hardcore inner-city community of Arnett Gardens could handle with ease.
“Anthony, big man ting, yuh know seh all a dis clashing ting an dem ting deh, yuh know seh it nuh hard. Mi tell yuh seh a Jungle mi come from; an mi a bright yute. Yuh just put pen to paper. But mi a guh dweet ‘gimmickally’ an mi a guh meck people laugh,” the Watz on Sale artist told Miller.
He then added: “But dem ting deh a nuh my mi ting; mi wann guh leggo di bird said way an dirt an dem ting deh.”
Just over two weeks ago, Dancehall producer NotNice had said he was unexcited about the return of Sting which is set for Boxing Day, December 26 as the new crop of artists who are being touted as the ones who will square off lyrically at the show, were unimpressive.
According to the producer, he felt that the newbies, who got their big breaks during the pandemic, were unlikely to deliver a proper clash and might allow their egos to get the better of them, and engage in physical combat onstage instead.
He had also said that the new deejays were unable to sing for five minutes without running out if breath, nor did they have the experience of working with backing bands.
The Kyng Midas producer had said that despite what is being marketed by promoter by Isiah Laing and his team, he does not foresee this year’s edition of Sting being a true clash show.
Sting is set to make its return at the Grizzlys Plantation Cove in St. Ann, on Boxing Day, December 26, after seven years of absence, So far Protocol artist Skeng, his colleague First Nation artiste Jahshii, silk Boss as well as singjays Shaneil Muir, Stalk Ashley, and Moyann have been booked.
In a release in late July, Supreme Promotions had described the return of Sting as a response to “the resounding and now deafening clarion calls for a true stage upon which to hone and test the lyrical mettle and audience mastery” of the new wave of Dancehall’s young deejays.
According to the release, it was now “time to hone and showcase the lyrical mastery and stagecraft” of Jamaican artistes, because as Dancehall’s cycle of production moves away from the stage and onto the internet, Sting’s role as the testing ground of stagecraft mastery had become even more critical.
The release had also stated that up to that point, more than “15 top-ranked, lyrically savvy, and popular Reggae and Dancehall artistes” had been booked. It also noted that Dancehall lovers could look forward to seeing “an impressive line-up of reggae and dancehall superstars” on the show, which is to be streamed across the world via its streaming platform.
The Sting organizers had also noted that the event will “provide the fertile ground on which to test the depth and breadth of dancehall’s top ranked, newly emerged, and emerging stars” as the event remains “the seminal and only true stage” for their grooming “in the art of stagecraft and lyrical mastery, before a live and interactive audience”.
In addition, Supreme Promotions also concurred that the onstage clash element in Dancehall culture on which the show is predicated, remains “critical to the grooming and rounded development of Dancehall’s top lyricists who must make their mark and prove their mettle on a live and interactive stage, even while they churn out hits after hits in the studio”.