NotNice Not Excited About Sting 2022, Says New Artists Lack Ability To Clash
Dancehall producer NotNice says he remains unexcited about the return of Sting this December.
According to him, he is unimpressed with the new crop of artists who are being touted as the ones who will square off lyrically at the show, as, according to him, they are unlikely to deliver a proper clash and might allow their egos to get the better of them, and engage in physical combat onstage instead.
The straight-talking producer made his comments in a recent Entertainment Report interview, after he was asked by Anthony Miller whether he was “excited that Sting could be coming back in December”.
“No. No. Si Sting now, mi nuh think Sting a guh eva be Sting. Who a guh clash? And weh di yute dem have as clash, dem ego a guh waan meck dem guh out deh guh fight,” he said.
“Dem caan deejay fi five minutes widout run outta breath. Dem nuh have de experience fi work wid a bands; like so many tings, becaw yuh si di new crop a artiste now weh actually a guh out deh pan Sting, most a dem buss inna Corona. Mi nuh think dem have no stage experience fi even know fi guh clash. Because they are trying to sell Sting as a clash show,” he added.
According to NotNice, despite what is being promoted, he does not foresee this year’s edition of Sting being a true clash show.
“Well, Sting is a clash show, but if is jus a regular stage show weh hear wah, di name Sting is still dere an di artiste dem jus a guh out deh guh display dem talent, it is fine. But like try sell it as a clash show, who a guh clash and dem nuh have di experience of doing it,” the Kyng Midas producer stated.
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 and, according to the organizers, Protocol artist Skeng has been billed, while First Nation artiste Jahshii, was “booked with no hesitation”. Also named among the first batch of performers, are singjays Shaneil Muir, Stalk Ashley, and Moyann.
Embattled Surgery artist Silk Boss who is touted to clash with Jahshii, was also announced as a headliner for Sting on September 4.
NotNice’s gloomy outlook is in stark contrast to the excitement being expressed by hardcore Dancehall fans and music insiders, such as selector/producer Foota Hype, Dancehall singer Khago and newcomer Brysco.
When the announcement of the show’s return was made in July during Reggae Sumfest, a jubilant Code artist Brysco had expressed pleasure to Sting promoter Isiah Laing, that the show, which is predicated on clashes, would be back, and would separate the men from the boys, musically speaking.
The announcement of the Sting 2022 line-up also sparked calls for a Masicka vs Alkaline clash.
Weeks ago Foota Hype, had said that many artists, seem to be terrified of engaging in an onstage clash, and had called for them to come clean and tell Laing and the Sting promotion team that they were afraid, instead of quoting some overpriced appearance fees to “turn off” the promoters, so they could escape.
The Dark Knight producer had also stated that it was full-time for Masicka, who has been demanding a clash from as far back as 2014, to step up to the plate and take on Skeng, who supposedly subliminally dissed him in a song.
Foota had said that the excuses being proffered that Skeng was too young and did not have enough songs to clash with Masicka, was invalid, as Bounty Killer one of the greatest clash artistes of all time had lyrically demolished several Dancehall lightweights, without regard for their status, among them, Zebra and Gringo.
Khago had gleefully weighed in on the imminent showdowns at Sting, pointing out that lyrics and rhymes were not the components that will determine the winner of any onstage or record-for-record clash, but that the most ruthless and ill-mannered artists, who are, highly-skilled at hurling insults at their opponents with total disregard for anyone’s feelings, will be the ones who emerge victorious.
While citing examples of damaging phrases that could be used to unsettle opponents, Khago went on to name himself among the clash artists who were “manners-less”, a list which also included Dancehall kingpins Bounty Killer, Kiprich and Vybz Kartel.
Khago also referenced how, while being thought of as the underdog, he had used his ruthlessness to great effect, flooring Agent Sasco, I-Octane and Sizzla on different occasions more than a decade ago.