Big dancehall acts Beenie Man and Capleton will be the main headliners for this year's Magnum Sting, Supreme Promotions, promoters of the popular Boxing Day show announced Tuesday night at a news conference.

In a slight break from tradition, the top-billed artistes for Sting 2004 will not be veteran entertainers, but instead young artistes who have distinguished themselves over the course of the past year.

Despite the international campaign being waged by gay rights groups against artistes who use homophobic lyrics in their performances, Summerfest Productions Limited, the promoter of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, has no plans to get involved in that debate.

Head of the Solid Agency Management Company Sharon Burke, has defended her artistes, Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel, as well as her actions at the recently held Caribbean Reggae Fest concert in Miami, Florida.

A reggae performer whose music advocates killing gays says he has nothing to apologize for, instead claiming it is gays who must beg forgiveness.

The roots of British band Steel Pulse and the dancemania of Elephant Man will meet at the Goodyear Oval in Springfield, St. Thomas, on December 25, for Red Label Wine East Fest 2004.

The evolution of dancehall to where it is now has taken some four decades developing through the eras of rocksteady, ska and reggae. It is the belief of many experts that the origin of the word comes from the term used to refer to a dance venue, instead of a genre of music as it is now.

Born Adidja Palmer, Vybz Kartel has been dominating the dancehall culture for just about two years now. Every song he has released has become a hit, no matter how slack or degrading these songs are - and make no mistake about it, his songs can be very degrading.

Chief Executive Officer of Stone Love Movement Winston "Wee Pow" Powell has moved to curb the actions of unscrupulous persons not attached to his award-winning sound system making bookings overseas.

Spragga Benz and Kevin Lyttle snatched success again for their hit tune Turn Me On, when they grabbed the Vibe magazine 'Boomshot' Award on Monday night in the United States.