Depending on who you ask, where you were and what you heard, the jury is still out as to who won the most anticipated clash at Sting in years - the settlement of all arguments.

Vybz Kartel

From the moment you entered the Jamworld complex in Portmore St Catherine on Boxing Day, the air was thick with anticipation and expectation as to what would unfold during what has been dubbed the greatest one-night reggae festival on Earth. The bumper crowd - Isaiah Laing and the Supreme Promotions crew have not had it so good in years - fuelled this excitement from the get-go. From as early as midnight, the crowd was militant and the Gullyside and Gaza crews were already drawing battle lines in support of their respective deejay. However, the heat really began to rise close to 5:00 am when the most eagerly anticipated artistes, Vybz Kartel and Mavado began to arrive at the venue. Kartel was first to hit the stage, making a cameo with female deejay Spice for their performance of the hit of the season, Rampin' Shop. Although it was just a cameo, it got the crowd going and raised the intensity metre.

Then it was showtime, and once both were onstage, the war of words and lyrics was on in earnest. The not-so-brave took cover and the seasoned campaigners stood their ground and watched the two masters at their game slug it out. After a near 45-minute onslaught, the dust settled but no one was ready to play dead, each claiming victory and the respective camps even more defiant.

The segment Dancehall's Baddest, contained some of the top performers. Top female on the bill, Spice was in a no-nonsense mood. She appeared in full boxing gear, gloves and all, and she delivered knockout punches to everyone in her way. When she took on fellow female deejays, Macka Diamond and Queen Paula, it was no holds barred and some of the punches could even be considered below the belt.

Merciless was one act whom it can be said failed to live up to his billing. He relied heavily on the possibility of a clash, and when this was not forthcoming, his act fell flat. Despite repeated calls by the warhead, there were no takers. The act which followed - the warlord, Bounty Killer - earned the wrath of the audience when he declared that he was not into a clash this year. Despite his best attempts, the crowd which was in the mood for a clash, decided to let him go.

The performances which came before this segment were a mixed bag of entertaining, mediocre and disappointing. It is important to point out that with more than 100 acts, no set is longer than eight minutes, leaving the performers very little time to recoup after a poor song. Such is the nature of Sting and therefore the artistes must learn to work the stage from the moment they enter. The doctor, Beenie Man was a prime example of one of the entertaining acts who understands clearly how to work a stage from beginning to end. He was able to draw on his arsenal of tunes, firing on rapid, hitting everyone in Jamworld with his infectious vibe. The duo of Captain Barkey and Wickerman was another entertaining act, and with the very humorous tune, Thick Man, set to OneRepublic's Apologise. This had the crowd in stitches as they each spoke to the type of physique women prefer on their men. "The Strong One", Etana breezed on and off the Sting stage performing four tracks and leaving her fans satisfied. So too did Mr "August Town", Duane Stephenson who earned two 'forwards' during his three-song set. Deejay Kip Rich was in fantastic, fiery form and came prepared for any and all challenges. His was an entertaining set during which he reeled off new lyrics, specially built for the event, but, alas, none of his detractors felt brave enough to walk into the fire.

Of the three acts billed as Dancehall's Divas, only Lady G was able to move the crowd. She easily eclipsed Junie Platinum who gave a disappointing performance, and Patra, who failed to excite the crowd and quickly made an exit after performing Pull up to the Bumper and Wucka Man. However, Lady G got the crowd going from the onset with her take on the expected clash, she then took on the paedophiles and closed with a hillarious tune hitting out against the tight pants-wearing men.

The mediocre acts included, the Monster Hemp Higher, Shane O, Black Judah, Bugle, Fyan Kin, DI, Stacious, Chino and Egg Nog and Danny English.

The disappointing performances included many of those from whom much was expected. These included Konshens who entered with Winner, but simply faltered soon after; Rising Stars alum, Laden was given his time to shine, but did not make much of the opportunity. Braga Dat, wearing full white, was weak even in performing his hit tune, Dagga Dat. The trio, TNT - Timberlee, Natalie Storm and Tiffa, also put on a less than pleasing performance, despite the exciting costumes.

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