BY CECELIA CAMPBELL-LIVINGSTON

Observer staff reporter

“YOU straight like pants seam, yuh bend up like corner, mi nuh know how unno a meck mi clash di graffiti artist”, DJ Mr G said on stage at the launch of Sting 2009 held in the Pegasus Bar lounge Tuesday night.

Mr G was not alone when it came to working out the equation that will now see him in a face-off with LA Lewis.

When the names flashed across the screen laughter erupted from the audience as clearly they seemed more amused by this match-up than anything else. This segment could easily prove to be the comic relief slot in the eight-category event.

But still, there is no mistaking the fact that the face-off had already begun as LA Lewis took the mic and declared “tomorrow a going down to the court guh drop di case cause mi nah kill nuh man without him gun,” he declared.

Mr G, incidentally, is in fact a licensed firearm holder. However, the weapon was confiscated after the incident in which he is alleged to have pulled the weapon on Lewis. The matter is now before the courts.

Although they took centre stage, the launch was not all about Mr G and LA Lewis, MC Ragashanti kept the vibes flowing and kudos must go to the dancers who were the real stars for the night. Jamaican Michael Jackson, while delivering a great set took the professionalism out of his act with his mouth working away at the gum he was chewing while dancing. The same could not be said for Mystic whose well-coordinated dance moves held her audience captive.

The bar lounge did not seem to be the perfect place to host the launch as many could be heard complaining about the heat, and the crammed area.

Come December 26 at the Jamworld Entertainment Centre in Portmore the event will be held under eight segments – Starlight featuring Blaze, Brandish, Nuclear and Renegade among others; Foreign Invaders featuring Gappy Ranks, Jah Hem, Ras Bogle among others; Rising Vixens featuring Cymply Hot, Sherita, Angelina, Pretti Kitti and Sassy among others; A New Day Dawning featuring Tifa, Pamputtae, D’Angel, I’Shawna and Lisa Hype among others; Hot Steppers, which includes Charlie Black, Konshens, G-Whizz, Twin of Twins and Laden; Cool Rulers among the names confirmed for this segment are I-Octane, Nesbeth, Chuck Fenda, Spryng I and Stevie Face; Super Women of Reggae are Spice, Etana, Cherine Anderson, Etana and Lady G and the Chart Toppers are Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Merciless, Flippa Mafia and Assassin.

According to Supreme Promotions Publicist, patrons will have no need to worry about their safety as security will be extra tight. Among the security measures will be three checkpoints to stage which should reduce congestion behind stage and on stage, security officers will be dispersed into the general audience to control any disruption and confiscate any weapon found.

Sting 2009 takes place December 26 at the Jamworld Entertainment Complex in Portmore.