Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Buju Banton performs at Reggae Sunsplash 2006's International Night. He is a part of Guinness Sting 2006 'Top Ten'. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Dr. Donna Hope, guest speaker at Wednesday evening's brief event outlining plans for Guinness Sting 2006, summed up the transformation of the annual Sting concert, at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, on Wednesday evening.

"Coming in tonight, I heard someone say Sting is a fling ting. I say no, Sting is a lyrics ting," she said to a crammed Talk of the Town Restaurant on the 17th floor of Jamaica Pegasus.

The tone for a new look on the massive Boxing Day dancehall concert had been set from DiMario McDowell's prayer, which concluded with the request of higher powers to "help us gain economically and otherwise, even socially, from this event."

And with the event's theme of 'Love and Happiness' introduced by the title sponsor's brand manager, Dave DaCosta, Hope continued the train of thought by saying, "We understand the role that dancehall events play in the culture of Jamaica. We understand the role that it can play in bringing love and happiness to the massive crowd expected at Jam World on Boxing Day."

Landmark confrontation

However, with a clip of Beenie Man and Bounty Killer onstage at Sting 1993 in their landmark confrontation being played throughout the evening and before parts of the line-up were announced officially, there was a flashback to not so loving and happy Sting days. And, after the clip, the evening's host, Howard McIntosh, said, "A lot of what you saw was Sting about 13 years ago. You might be seeing some of the same type of things as we present Guinness Sting 2006, Love and Happiness."

The concert will be run on a definite structure, the early 'Mus Buss' segment including artistes from Bermuda and Canada, McIntosh noting that "Sting gone global". The gospel will be according to Lt. Stitchie, with Macka Diamond, Spice and Face among the 'Hot Girls'. Mavado, Busy Signal, Aidonia and Little Hero are among the 'Lucky Thirteen', while Buju Banton, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man and Ninja Man comprise part of the 'Top Ten'.

The Special, courtesy of Guinness, will run from 11:00 p.m. to midnight and water will be free after 4:00 a.m. to send the crowds home in not too high a spirit.