by Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Teflon (left), Hero (centre) and Junior 'Heavy D' Fraser of Supreme Promotions at the launch of Guinness Sting 2007, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on Tuesday, October 30. - Peta-Gaye Clachar

When deejay Ninja Man spoke near the end of the official launch of Guinness Sting 2007 on Tuesday night, he began on a peaceful note.

"Me reach de stage whe me get to a higher level," Ninja Man told those gathered at the Country Kitchen, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

He spoke of unity and no lyrical violence as well as "we no business bout no gay, we no business bout hurt nobody. We jus' a gi lyrics".

However, he continued "an at de same time" if the crowd wanted a clash he was ready, deejaying "sen out de whol a dem".

"Long time me no commit no murda a Sting. Sen somebody come. Sting no nice again," Ninja Man demanded. "Sen Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Ele, Cobra, Supercat, mek de whole a dem gang me one time," he said.

"We waan competition come an see how de music can nice."

Ninja Man will perform in the 'Dancehall's Finest' segment, which will also include Chuck Fendah, Busy Signal, Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer.

The other segments for Guinness Sting 2007 are 'Singer's Paradise', with Jah Cure, Tarrus Riley and Queen Ifrica, among others, 'The Pioneers', which will include Freddie McGreggor, Josey Wales and Burru Banton, and 'The Upcomers', Di Marko, Shane-O, Bennetto and Bugle being among the lot. The 'Beautiful Ladies of Dancehall' will include D'Angel and Barbee and there was laughter when the names of the two ladies, who have a 'Beenie' matter between them, were announced consecutively.

Howard McIntosh of Supreme Promotions emphasised that the entire line-up had not been announced, with the full slate of performers to be made public in December. With Sting having a website, updates will be posted on www.stingjamaica.com.jm.

Joseph Oates of title sponsors Guinness said "we will be holding a series of road shows across the island." On November 16 at the Esso Tiger Mart, May Pen, then Sip's Bar in Yallahs, St. Thomas, on November 30, on December 14 at Ken's Wild Flower in Portmore and two days later at Prendy's On The Beach, also in Portmore, will also serve as auditions for Sting performance hopefuls.

The official Guinness Sting 2007 poster launch is on December 7 at the Asylum Niteclub, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston.

Tickets to Guinness Sting 2007 cost $1,500 presold and $2,000 at the gate, with VIP entry costing $5,000. Tickets will be sold at Petcom Portmore, Texaco Naggo Head, Esso Tiger Mart, Dunrobin and Washington Blvd. and Esso Tiger Mart, May Pen.

In a recorded message Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Olivia Grange wished Supreme Promotions all the best and said "I will never forget that night at Sting when Supercat and Ninja Man clashed".

And Ninja Man had a sharp comment for Digicel Rising Stars, saying "dem a tell people no fi clash an' dem have dem pon TV a clash inna Rising Star. Sting, yu fi tek back yu position roun' ya. Rising Star nah bus who dem fi bus. A Sting put dem out".

McIntosh followed with a disclaimer, that "Mr. Ballentine has made some comments that he is responsible for and those are not necessarily the comments of Guinness Sting".