WITH Sting changing its hardcore format this year, Ghetto Splash — held at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium in St Andrew on Tuesday night — took over the offering which would normally come from that stage show.

Lyrical clashes and ‘tune fi tune’ formed the highlights of the night-into-daybreak event none more so than the three-the-hard-way encounter at 5:00 am featuring Ninjaman, Gully Bop and Merciless.

Ninjaman was up first, declaring: “Mi nuh haffi go no Sting! See my Sting yah.” In his inimitable style, he dropped some favourites which went over well with the thousands who converged on the venue. He would subsequently be joined by Gully Bop, the deejay sensation from last year’s Sting. Their exchange was potent and sent the venue into a frenzy. Then out of nowhere appeared Merciless. The deejay — known for his biting tracks — seemed a shadow of his former self and with two lines from Gully Bop, he was deflated. In the final moments of his performance, he was left stooping on the stage and just walked away.

Following this, the entertainment ante just rose with acts such as Bugle, Kabaka Pyramid, Dre Island, Exco Levi, Junior Reid and his sons, Juju Blood and Yung JR.

Magnum’s King of the Dancehall Devin Di Dakta, just burst onto the stage and dropped two quick tracks, exciting his female audience in the process with his sharp, witty lyrics.

Dexta Daps, whose break-out tune

7eleven is still popular more than a year after its release, delivered a lively set. But it ended in near chaos as he seemed to have wanted to remain on stage longer. Once the smoke cleared, dancer-and-cum-singjay Ding Dong and his Raver Clavers crew of dancers would bring a dance vibe to the event with tracks such as Gas and Low Mi Nuh. It was more dancing as they were joined by the lanky Chi Ching Ching and his band of dancers and they Reach up… Way Up and Watch Di Wyah in their performance.

After this, the unruly Popcaan made his way on stage near 6:00 am.

His set was lively and energetic and had input from the likes of Aidonia, Ishawna and Kranium.

Earlier in the night, it was Romain Virgo who got the major acts rolling. He was followed by Half Pint, Zumjay, Japanese duo Ackee and Saltfish, Lutan Fyah, a charged up Ikaya and I-Wayne.

Organiser Patrick Roberts of Shocking Vibes and his team can take a bow for a well-organised event, which despite an exhaustive roster of acts, never dragged.