Who Will Rule This Christmas? Sting vs. The Gully Gad Mavado

The 2025 Christmas season in Jamaica is shaping up to be a clash of titans — not between artists onstage, but between two heavyweight events vying for the holiday spotlight: Sting and Mavado’s “Return of the Gully Gad” concert.

After last year’s disappointing cancellation, the big question lingering across the island is: Can Sting make a real comeback—or has its crown finally slipped for good?

The Legacy and the Lapse

For decades, Sting was more than a concert — it was a rite of passage for dancehall.From Super Cat and Ninja Man’s lyrical battles to Vybz Kartel’s infamous 2008 dominance, Sting was the stage that separated the brave from the average.But in recent years, financial troubles, organizational issues, and weak lineups have chipped away at its once-mighty reputation.

The 2024 cancellation — reportedly due to “unresolved financial issues and hazardous conditions” — felt like a final blow. Many fans wondered if Sting had lost touch with the modern dancehall scene it helped create.

Now, promoter Isiah Laing insists the show will return on December 26, 2025, at the Jamworld Entertainment Complex in Portmore. Yet, with no official lineup announced as of late October, whispers are growing louder: Is Sting ready—or still struggling behind the scenes?

Enter the Gully Gad

Adding to the drama, Mavado is staging his long-awaited homecoming — his first performance in Jamaica in nearly a decade.Set for December 27 at Plantation Cove, St. Ann, The Return of the Gully Gad is already the talk of the streets, fueled by the artist’s recent return to the island after years abroad.

For dancehall fans, Mavado isn’t just performing — he’s reclaiming a throne. His loyal fanbase, both local and global, is buzzing with anticipation. Industry insiders predict a sell-out crowd and a lineup stacked with surprise guest appearances.

The timing? Perfectly strategic. Just one night after Sting.If Sting fumbles even slightly, Mavado’s concert could completely overshadow what was once billed as “The Greatest One Night Reggae and Dancehall Show on Earth.”

Clash of the Seasons

So who rules Christmas 2025?

Right now, the momentum clearly favors Mavado. He’s got the storyline — the return, the redemption, the roots. His event feels personal, purposeful, and perfectly positioned.

Meanwhile, Sting feels stuck in limbo. Until we see a confirmed lineup, fans are hesitant to buy in emotionally — or financially.

If Laing wants to reclaim the show’s former glory, he’ll need a bold move: secure headline-grabbing acts like Kartel (even virtually), Popcaan, Skeng, or even Shenseea fresh off her Columbia Records deal. Without that, Sting risks being remembered not for its comebacks — but for its collapses.

Is It Time for Sting to Hang Up Its Hat?

Maybe.

Or maybe it’s time for a rebirth — a stripped-down, modernized version of the show that celebrates today’s digital generation of artists and fans. The world has changed, and so has dancehall.

But one thing remains true: Jamaica’s Christmas belongs to music. Whether it’s at Jamworld or Plantation Cove, the island will be alive with riddims, reunions, and raw talent.

And if we’re being honest?

This holiday season, the Gully Gad might just steal the crown.

What do you think?

Is Sting still relevant — or is it Mavado’s year to rule Christmas?

Join the conversation on @caribbeanemagazine and let your voice be heard.