The History of Reggae Sting
In 1984, Dancehall was making its way around the world via sound systems but still had no major stage in Jamaica. One man made it his mission to use music to achieve peace in Jamaica’s hostile climate. His goal was to create an environment where communities in Jamaica could come together for one night and enjoy Jamaica’s cultural vibes this led Isaiah Laing to go out on a limb with everything, he had to create what we know today as the greatest one-night Reggae and Dancehall show on earth “Reggae Sting” under his production company Supreme Promotions. In an interview in 1985, Isaiah Laing stated.
“Reggae Sting is the heartbeat of the nation if you want to know what’s on the minds of our people come to Sting and listen to the stories the artists tell of their lives and the hardships of their communities” Isaiah Laing.
Unbeknownst to him Reggae Sting would play a major role in the development of Dancehall culture while becoming the stage that would become the launching pad for many of Jamaica’s future superstars that would change the face of pop culture forever.
Born a rebel Reggae Sting quickly became popular as patrons looked forward to the mega event each year. The first staging saw almost five thousand patrons with rising stars Michael Palmer, Half Point, Papa San, Junior Reid, and more. In its original venue Cinema 2 in Kingston, Jamaica by 1986 Sting had reached its capacity with over 13,000 patrons and began the hunt to find a larger venue.
By 1987, Sting moved to Cinema 1 hosting over 22,000 patrons with the theme “Four The Hard Way”, which was a friendly rivalry between Papa San and Lieutenant Stitchie, Admiral Bailey and Professor Nuts. While Pinchers, Leroy Gibbons and Frankie Paul told the would Jamaican singers were coming. The sting team quickly realized scaling was not an option after maxing the capacity of Cinema 1 in just one year as the popularity of the Sting brand went international.
The famous Jamaica National Stadium became the new home in 1988 leading with new stars on the horizon like Ninja Man, Red Dragon, Flourgon, Sanchez and international star, Maxi Priest made Sting that fastest growing event in the Caribbean and would see max priest become a global icon.
1989 also included US-based rap superstars “The Fat Boy” who were dominating the world breaking barriers for black music. This would also become the first Reggae Sting broadcast into the United States and Canada igniting the Caribbean diaspora on a whole. It was said that Reggae Sting fans abroad would host events the day after Sting and play the vocals of the live event to get the feeling of being there in person; these events would host 500 to 3000 patrons each year around the world creating a cult following only seen in rock and roll at that time.
By 1990 Reggae Sting had grown to over 30,000 patron with the rise of the King of Dancehall Shabba Ranks cementing his legacy in the “Clash of the Century” with the immortal Ninjaman. At this Point Reggae Sting had single handily kicked the door in making Dancehall a part of pop culture.
By 1991, Reggae Sting had defined and redefined culture setting the tone of Dancehall breaking box office records in the Caribbean hosting more than 42, 000 patrons. The Reggae Sting team decided to take on another challenge in 1992, hosting over 10,000 teens who turned out for “Kiddie Sting”, proving Laing was an event mastermind headlined by U.S. based teen stars Kriss Kross. Today the event is called Teen Sting which is set to make its return after 32 years on December 18, 2024. Sting remained at the Jamaica National Stadium until 1993 when it was moved to Jamworld in Portmore St. Catherine a venue that could host up to 45,000 patrons giving the new giant the chance to grow as Boxing Day would never be the same again.
The Sting team also grew adding graphic designer Dimario McDowell, Junior “Heavy D” Fraser who took over booking and artist management, Howard “Big Mac” Mcintosh, and Courtney “TT” Bahadur who would make history together. By 1997 Reggae Sting had garnered major international appeal returning to stadium with hip hop superstars Busta Rhymes and Foxy Brown as headliners. Making another memorable moment as they reintroduced one of Jamaica’s sons to the market who embraced his roots and would become a legendary hip-hop megastar while carrying the Jamaican flag on his back.
In 1998, Sting returned home to Jamworld with superstars like Bounty Killa, Sizzla, Elephant Man, Ninjaman, Merciless, Morgan Heritage and more. In total dominance in a culture defining moment.
By 2002 Laing and the team created the immortal “Ten Giants” of dancehall that changed the face of Dancehall forever The giants that year were Capleton, Bounty Killa, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Ninjaman, Elephant Man, Sizzla, Anthony B, Lexus and George
Nooks. It also saw the rise of soon to be megastars Vybez Kartel, and Spice.
History was made that night as it became the first viral video before the internet popularized the term that year was considered the most bootlegged cult video of all time with the movie “Shottas” as a close runner-up.
Cementing Sting team as global cultural icons. It’s estimated that more than 250 thousand copies circulated the world inspiring new sound that would use dancehall as a backdrop to include genres like Reggaeton, and Afrobeat. It was said the venue was over capacity crowning Reggae Sting King of the entertainment space.
By 2008 – Sting hosted it’s 25th anniversary creating another groundbreaking show also cemented in history, with the face-off of two of Dancehall’s Maga Stars Vybz Kartel and Mavado, known as the most anticipated clash of the decade. The Sting name became a brand favorite joining forces with a young aggressive brand Monster Energy Drink who was looking for a way to enter the market. This would also be the first year Sting streamed live to more than 5,000 patrons around the world.
In 2012, The Greatest One-night Reggae and Dancehall Show on Earth broke Jamaican streaming records with over 50,000 paying Pay-per-viewed viewers, and over 2 million bootlegged viewers taking the show to another level and becoming a brand magnet by 2015 the brand magnum tonic wine would reach its year sales quota in one night at sting making it the number one drink in Jamaica. At the end of the 2015 staging, the team decided to take a break to redefine its direction to return in 2020 but the world was hit with an unprecedented pandemic that shut the world down which delayed the return of the mega event.In 2022 Reggae Sting returned bigger and better than ever taking the event to the north coast to the mammoth venue Grizzlies Plantation Cove as the event trended through the months of December and January putting the entertainment world on notice that the giant was back.
With renovations on the way at Jamworld, the Reggae Sting team decided to return home to the city of Portmore. In celebration for its return to Jamworld the team saw it only befitting to reinvent its most successful staging by one of the most successful shows “The Ten Giants of Sting” the bold move leaves patrons to wonder who will they who will they be? For this one the Sting Team was hush-hush having all members and artistes signing non-disclosure agreements.
With the tech group HarmoneyGO on board, Reggae Sting has a 3-year plan to extend the event to a three-day festival introducing Reggae Night in 2024 and international Night in 2025. The company has completely revamped with a new website, hosting its ticketing platform, a new online music distribution division, a streaming network, and more to come, as we prepare for the future.
“Our goal is not just to sell Reggae Sting as just an event anymore; we are brand Jamaica rooted in its rich culture of Reggae and Dancehall as we give the world a true Jamaican experience as the greatest Reggae and Dancehall show on earth. So Join us as we welcome the world back to Jamworld Portmore Jamaica, home to Reggae Sting as we prepare for a new phase in Jamaican musical history.”
– Isaiah Laing
Founder and advisory board members
Let's Take A Virtual Stroll Down Memory Lane
These images are like time capsules filled with the energy, passion, and unforgettable moments that have made Sting a legendary music festival!
