Isaiah Laing Opens Up About Losing 5 Houses as Collateral for Sting but Promises to “Ram Jamworld” for Sting 2023 – Watch Interview

November 21, 2023

Following Sting’s problematic return in 2022, Sting founder Isaiah Laing intends to have a big turnout at Jamworld for this year’s staging and shared that he lost five houses after putting them up as collateral for the show in the past.

Touted as the seminal and only stage for the grooming of young, not-so-young, and popular dancehall artistes, Sting 2022 fell short of expectations, with multiple of dancehall’s popular artistes unable to perform. However, Laing has promised a return to form for its staging this December, declaring, “We affi ram Jamworld [ … ] We a ram dat.”

After a move to the Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in St. Ann, Sting will be making its return to its home at Jamworld, Portmore, St. Catherine. Speaking on JaRadio TV alongside MC Nuffy, Laing promised a more organised staging next month and encouraged patrons to turn out early as the show would begin promptly at 7 p.m. Speaking on the disorganisation of last year’s staging, which led to multiple artistes taking to the stage during a rushed conclusion to the event, Laing said last year’s staff would be replaced to ensure the event went smoothly.

Unlike Sting’s 2022 staging, which placed focus on dancehall’s young guns, Laing has placed his confidence in 10 giants of dancehall to deliver outstanding performances for patrons. Among the named giants are Turbulence, Anthony B, Tanya Stephens, Fantan Mojah, and Tommy Lee, whom he dubbed a young giant. He noted that Sting would remain an arena for young artistes to hone their skills on stage, with acts like Malie Donn and Pablo YG slated to return after their clash last year.

However, Laing has his eyes on another duo for this year’s clash. According to the former police detective, Why Wi Chop deejay Fully Bad has already agreed to a lyrical showdown with rival Demarco. But the Love My Life artiste has yet to return his calls to participate. Noting that a previously planned clash at Sting was supposed to be between Demarco and Masicka, Laing said it was only right that Demarco clash this year.

Speaking on the struggles he has faced to organise Sting over the years, Laing shared that he has lost a total of five houses after putting them up as collateral to obtain funding for the stage show.

“This show is like a $100,000,000 package [ … ] A lot of people don’t know the backend, what happen at the backend of a show [ …] Nobody don’t know, we just hold it. When we win, we win. When we lose we just hold it same way [ … ] I’ve lost five houses putting up money to get loan to do this show. And when yuh lose big, mi affi sell to pay back the bank,” Laing stated.

Watch the interview below.