Capleton, Turbulence named Sting Super Giants
Published:Sunday | December 31, 2023 | 12:06 AMNatasha Williams - Sunday Gleaner Writer
After careful deliberations, Sting’s promoter, Isaiah Laing, has confirmed a tie between Capleton and Turbulence as the Sting Super Giants while dancehall artiste Suspense was crowned Sting Young Giant for 2023.
“All the giants did exceptionally well, but those two stand out differently. Suspense stood out amongst the young giants who got a chance to perform. These artistes had the crowd wooing all the way throughout their performances. Every song dem get a forward on. Capleton did exceptionally well. He is the ‘dan dappa’, and Turbulence is the underdog who tek it to dem,” Laing said with a laugh. This year, the show’s 40th edition, showcased 10 giants of dancehall and five young giants.
He complimented the efforts of all Sting performers, adding that Spragga Benz, Anthony B, and Tommy Lee Sparta, who was scheduled to close the show, along with some of the other young giants, did not get a chance to work because of the abrupt ending. He also highlighted up-and-coming act Pablo YG as another outstanding performer.
Speaking with The Sunday Gleaner, Capleton said he had no problem tying with Turbulence.
“We’re both Rastafarians. We stand up for the same things, and we both bring that same energy. Turbulence a one a my youth dem from day one. I’m in the business years before Turbulence, so it’s good to see the youth dem strive too because you know the youths are the future. It’s a joy and I’m thankful,” the Slew Dem artiste told The Sunday Gleaner.
Despite “prophesying” the win before the show, Turbulence was astonished by the result.
“Jah Jah, it’s a very nice feeling, words can’t explain. The respect I have for Laing is enormous, so when Laing says ‘I am the Sting Super Giant’, on its 40th anniversary, and for me who have not performed so long in Jamaica [because I’m busy] being an ambassador of reggae all over the world, I’m very ecstatic. It is [even more] humbling to be even beside ‘the prophet’ [Capleton],” Turbulence told The Sunday Gleaner. Turbulence last performed at Sting more than 10 years ago.
He is currently working on an album titled Blak Karpet, which is scheduled for release early next year.
Magnum Kings and Queens winner for 2017, Suspense, said she’s excited yet humbled after receiving such accolades from her first Sting performance.
“I feel ecstatic, thrilled, humbled, and definitely deserving. People are saying they never doubted me for a moment and ‘congratulations’ just keep coming in,” the Verified singjay stated.
The artiste, who was creatively dressed in a bright-yellow outfit, believes this win was not only because of her exceptional talent, but because she brought the full package to Sting.
“Sting and any other performances should be based on presentation. I think I covered all grounds: image, clarity, confidence, lyrics, and the list goes on. My team, Susgang, [which consists of] Anna, Christina, and Latty, were the greatest addition and gave the performance the complete look. The design is really like a bumblebee and its sting, suh wi affi sting dem fi lef a mark,” said the Warn Dem artiste.
She also expressed gratitude to her mother, Polyanna Waugh Rosé, who is her motivator, and her team, which has assisted on her musical journey.
Laing said that despite the mishap at the end of the show, Sting 40 was nicely planned.
“Even though the turnout at the beginning wasn’t really what we expected due to the rain in and around the Spanish Town area, we got a good turnout of over 12,000 people in the end because miraculously, there wasn’t any rain at Jamworld. So I’m thankful,” said Laing.