Author and lecturer in the Reggae Studies Department at the UWI, Mona campus, Dr Donna Hope, is hoping for more responsible behaviour at Sting this year. Obviously mindful of some unflattering incidents that have dogged the popular event over the years, she challenged dancehall's artistes and fans alike to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the 25th anniversary of Sting. The greatest one night show takes place at Jamworld on Boxing Day.

Dr Donna Hope

"Dancehall people have a responsibility to protect dancehall and to do the things that make dancehall better, so that it doesn't fall down in disrepute," she implored the dancehall fraternity gathered in large number for the launch of the 2008 annual staging of the greatest one-night show at the Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday evening.

"We are the people of the dancehall and so we must respect the dancehall, take care of it, don't mash it down... And so again, I admonish you, I beg you, on December 26, at Sting 25, at Jamworld, on behalf of the entire dancehall massive who we all are, keep it lyrical and avoid the physical," added Dr Hope.

"Tonight we are launching Sting 25. The settlement of all arguments. And the 25th anniversary, particularly when you are talking about relationship and marriage, is usually known as the silver anniversary. So I have on mi silver tings to big up Sting. It's a very shine, pretty and criss anniversary. And an important milestone in Sting's own journey in dancehall culture and the relationship that some of us have had with Sting and with dancehall culture," she told the packed Talk of the Town last week Tuesday.

She congratulated Supreme Promotions (promoters of Sting) for their fortitude as well as the dancehall massive and crew, the ordinary people who have made Sting, for which the main sponsor this year is Monster Energy Drink, and dancehall culture the brand they have become.

"Sponsors come and sponsors go," Dr Hope declared, "But Sting remains and has done so for 25 years.... Everybody wants to know what is going to happen at Sting 25. Everybody is looking forward to the settlement of some serious arguments, big and serious arguments...."

Billed to perform on what has been dubbed "The Final Frontier, the Settlement of all Arguments", are ace rivals Mavado/Vybz Kartel, Ninja Man, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Merciless, Lady Patra, Lady G, Spice, Junie Platinum, Queen Ifrica, Etana, I-Octane, Terry Linen and Goddy Goddy, DJ Nicholas and a host of others.

"And a lot of people are looking forward to the resolution of the Mavado/Kartel argument which is long overdue. And of course, there is a lot of mini arguments that are going to colour Sting this year...very many eyes will be watching and very many ears will be listening to what unfolds at Sting 25 on Dec 26 at Jamworld in Portmore," Dr Hope said. In concluding, she added, "So we agreed that Sting 25 is a milestone that promotes mad, cutting-edge lyrics. The biggest dancehall event where some big and serious arguments are going to be settled. And we understand that Sting over the years has become immortalised as the place where dancehall people, the massive, dethroned and crowned their lyrical clash masters. Sting is always about the clash. And in the true spirit of dancehall culture, and in the true spirit of lyrical dexterity which is an important part of dancehall...

"And what people like myself want to see return to Sting, and a lot of people have been asking for this, is the lyrical swordmanship that made some people and broke others. At least temporarily."

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