Veterans Bounty Killer, Beenie Man and more will seemingly be absent for the return of the Sting music festival this year.

Sting is one of the most highly anticipated music festivals in the Caribbean, gathering dancehall and reggae fans from across the globe.

The grand occasion, which has been on hiatus for the past few years, has promised an epic return in 2022.

On its Instagram page on Saturday (November 26), the organisation posted what appears to be the final line up for this year’s staging of the event.

Fans of the event were quick to point out that the lineup is missing the veterans of dancehall and reggae, as well as some popular names who have contributed significantly to the event’s success in the past.

Most notably are the clashes that would take place amongst artistes such as Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Ninja Man, Vybz Kartel and Mavado.

Dancehall and reggae artistes Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Spice, Ding Dong, Popcaan, Masicka and Agent Saco were all missing from this year’s lineup, with younger artistes headlining the event.

The line up for this year sees Skeng, Silk Boss, Jahshii, Valiant, 450, Jada Kingdom and Bayka headlining the event.

The other headlining artistes are Shane O, Jahvillani, Daddy 1, Malie Don, Kraff, Chris Martin, Govana, Etana, Jamiel, Shaneil Muir, Dovey Magnum, Topmann, Gyptian, Rhumba, YGF Pablo, and Kip Rich.

Representing the females in the industry are Pamputtae, Rebecca, Moyann, Stalk Ashley, Vanessa Bling, Honey Milan, Lanae, and Sita. Other performers include Chris Gayle, Deno, Unknown Gringo, Bonafide, Posh Gad, Laalee, Franco Wildlife, Jafrass, Jupitar from Quna, Brysco, and Droop Lion.

Sting 2022 will be held on December 26 at Plantation Cove, Ocho Rios, in St Ann, and VIP tickets are going for $15,000, while general admission is $8,000.

Fans react to the lineup

After the lineup was posted, fans of the event shared their disappointment on the festival’s Instagram page, listing other artistes they would love to see at the show.

“A must joke this, no Masicka. No Popcaan? And this is Sting ?” questioned Shaketa Phillips on Instagram.

“No veteran?” another user, Mackieba Coburn, asked, seemingly puzzled by the choices for this year.

“No Mavado, Aidonia, Masicka ,Popcaan, Intence , I Wata or even Yaksta?” another fan questioned, to which @jamaicanaturalhairfestival responded, “They should name it a Trap show, not Reggae or Dancehall.”