By Germaine Smith and Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporters
Vybz Kartel (centre) listens attentively to an associate at yesterday's emergency press conference called by Supreme Promotions, promoters of Sting, at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston yesterday. He is supported by DJ L.A. Lewis (left). - Carlington Wilmot /Freelance Photographer
THERE MAY not be a Sting Reggae show next year.
At an emergency press conference held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel in St. Andrew yesterday, directors of Supreme Promotions, the promoters of the show, announced that they were seriously considering putting an end to the annual event dubbed 'the greatest one night show on earth'.
A statement read to journalists by Howard McIntosh, a director at Supreme Promotions, said the company blamed Bounty Killer (Rodney Price) and his management team, and Vybz Kartel (Adidja Palmer) and his entourage for Boxing Day's terror at the show which left a reported 23 persons injured.
The promotions company said that Kartel and his team's on stage scuffle with Ninjaman (Desmond Ballentine), as well as Bounty Killer's subsequent departure from the venue, caused the show to end in chaos.
"After serious and intense deliberations, the directors are considering to put the show into retirement," McIntosh told journalists. "Sting has never encouraged violence and boorish behaviour from the artistes on stage...," he continued.
REPREHENSIBLE BEHAVIOUR
He added that if Bounty Killer had fulfilled his contractual obligation and performed, the unruly section of the crowd would not have done what they did. In continuing, he added: "The same must be said about Vybz Kartel and his entourage, whose behaviour was reprehensible..."
Bottles rained on the stage after MC Nuffy stood behind a giant speaker box and announced that Bounty Killer did not like the vibes and had left the venue.
Both Ninjaman and Vybz Kartel were sternly warned yesterday by Deputy Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas, that they will be held responsible for any further acts of violence, arising out of Saturday's on-stage fight.
The two were summoned to a closed door meeting with the top brass of the Criminal Investigative Bureau (CIB), at the Hilton Kingston Hotel in St. Andrew.
SECOND MEETING SCHEDULED
Both artistes are scheduled to meet again this morning with Assistant Commissioner Reggie Grant, at CIB Headquarters, downtown Kingston.
Reports are that during yesterday's meeting, Vybz Kartel apologised to Ninjaman, who, although he accepted the apology, refused to shake Kartel's hand.
"They gave us the assurance that it will be peace from now on. I warned them that if anything happens, I will be coming for them," DCP Thomas told The Gleaner yesterday.
In the meantime, the police are reviewing footage of the stage show at Sting, with a view to take action against persons who were involved in any acts of violence.
The police are also investigating a shooting which occurred Saturday night at the popular 'Black and White' dance, which was held on Port Henderson Road, St. Catherine. There are allegations that a vehicle which resembles that of the one Vybz Kartel drives, was sprayed with bullets.
This triggered an alarm the following day that Vybz Kartel was shot and killed. DCP Thomas confirmed yesterday that Clifton Bailey, alias 'Capleton' and Miguel Collins, alias 'Sizzla' will be summoned before the Court for using profanity at the East Fest 2003 Stage Show, held at the Goodyear Oval in St. Thomas, Saturday night.
