Tahheer Laing Says Sting Still On, Not Competing With Vybz Kartel
Tahheer Laing, Director of Events at Supreme Promotions, the promoters behind the iconic Sting stage show, has confirmed that MC Nuffy will be the master of ceremonies for Sting on Boxing Day, December 26.
His statement comes in response to Nuffy’s suggestions that Sting should be postponed due to potential competition with Vybz Kartel’s New Year’s Eve Freedom Concert, which might pull the Dancehall crowd away from Sting. Nuffy, who has emceed Sting clashes for many years, had taken to Instagram on Saturday and suggested in a lengthy post that Sting should not be held on Boxing Day. He cited the risk of Sting flopping due to competition with Kartel’s event, which is scheduled for December 31, just five days after.
Nuffy’s concerns stemmed from the perception that Sting and Kartel’s event, which Downsound’s Joe Bogdanovich spearheads, would be in direct competition.
Tahheer Laing, however, has downplayed these concerns, emphasizing that Supreme Promotions has no intention of competing with Kartel’s show.
“Naturally still, MC Nuffy is still my host. He is returning from a long, long, long stay away from the show,” Tahheer stated during an IG live session.
Addressing Nuffy’s call to postpone Sting and join forces with Joe Bogdanovich, Tahheer said the veteran emcee has nothing to worry about.
“I saw that as well, but I guess he’s just fretting really. I’m sure that if Sting is still keeping, Nuffy is going to be a part of it same way. But I guess he’s just fretting because everybody builds the narrative that we’re going up against Vybz Kartel. We’re not going up against Vybz Kartel. Wi naw try fi fight out Vybz Kartel ting. Neva, eva eva,” Laing said.
Tahheer also clarified that he, not his father, Isiah Laing, is the one in charge of promoting Sting, even though the elder Laing continues to provide guidance.
According to him, Supreme Promotions’ focus is on organizing a smooth, enjoyable event without engaging in unnecessary rivalry.
“Suh Nuffy jus feel like seh wi a guh jus try fi guh against Kartel and what not, an dat a guh hurt us. But wi naw try fi play wid fire right now. Right now wi jus a try build the show and keep a clean, smooth-running event, and everybody awrite, an everybody guh a dem yard happy; dat’s what I am about. Mi caan badda wid di bla bla and di ray ray ray ting,” he explained.
In his Instagram post, MC Nuffy, while expressing deep respect for Isiah Laing and his contributions to the Sting brand and acknowledging that “The Greatest One Night Show on Earth” has played a significant role in his own career, cautioned that attempting to go head-to-head with Vybz Kartel’s event could tarnish the Sting brand, which he said would be a “disgrace” if it were to flop.
“Mr. Laing, I don’t play bothy. I do respect you and definitely, you’re a person who I respect in every way. You’re the promoter of @reggaesting for over 40 years and change. In my view, as your Number One MC, Sting built me to who I am this day, and I have to respect that,” Nuffy wrote.
“Vybz Kartel is coming from prison as the king of Dancehall. I know you did want him to be on your show, but it didn’t work the way you wanted it to work. Call it a spade. He gave it to Joe. Just respect his decision as a General to a General. Laing, you and Vybz Kartel have something going on. I know it can fix because I know nuff stuff, and I know you’re not the person who a lot of people think you are,” he continued.
Nuffy also urged Laing to consider working with Bogdanovich and Kartel, suggesting that joining forces could result in a historic event for Jamaica.
“Laing, pull the show this year and give Kartel this December and let it be a Gaza Christmas,” Nuffy had pleaded.