Good news Canada – Toronto’s own Terminal DG (Garnett Palmer) of the “Glasses Dark” and “Flyer” fame has been asked to be a part of Jamaica’s Annual Sting 2012 – The Biggest, Baddest One Night Reggae Show ever! Terminal shared the exciting news with ReggaeMania.com upon his arrival from Yaad (Jamaica) last Monday. He was there to sponsor and perform at an event in Mandeville alongside DJ Kenny, Delly Ranx and Quick Cook, to name a few.

According to Terminal DG’s management, Supreme Promotions (Isaiah Laing / Heavy D) has officially booked and contracted Terminal for the 29th staging of Sting at the JamWorld Entertainment Centre in Portmore, St. Catherine on Boxing Day. This year, Sting promoter, Isaiah Laing and co-director Heavy D bring back the show to the level that the people want. “We always listen to the streets. Whatever is happening at the parties we know, we read the streets very well. Whatever the street is calling for, that is what they will get”.

Says Terminal DG…”I have signed contracts, paperwork, I’ll be getting paid and I’ll get some complimentary passes for my crew and promotion as a Mandeville artist”. For those who don’t know, Terminal DG travels to Jamaica at least six times a year, working, marketing, branding, supporting the local Mandeville community and yes – engaged for live performances. States Terminal DG – “They (Supreme Promotions) first wanted to put me on as some Canadian act, but mi nuh tek box or kick, a Mandeville people support me”.


It is actually fair to say that Terminal DG may be more popular in Mandeville, Jamaica and surrounding areas than he is here in Canada. There are so many obstacles in the way when it comes to Canadian Artistes succeeding. States Terminal DG – “Canadian people don’t support me, just you (Ron Nelson) and a small handful of radio announcers; Richard (Banton) & Delroy (G.) – CHRY 105.5 FM and L3 (Magazine) – a dem mi rate”.

In Yaad, the story is a little different…Terminal DG is a ‘rising star’ who enjoys regular airplay of his handful of tunes by some of Jamaica’s hottest DJ’s – Boom Boom, Foota Hype, Andre Fowl, DJ Kenny, Quick Cook and the list goes on; these are just some of his biggest supporters. Add to the list, Radio DJ Ron Mochette – Irie FM who uses Terminal’s “Touch Di Road Hard” as a theme song for the “roll out the truck” promotion.


Besides, this will be Terminal’s third Sting appearance, having already performed in 2009 (ReggaeMania.com reminded Terminal DG of his 2009 Sting appearance, where he appeared struck by stage fright with a shortened performance of less than ninety seconds before making a premature exit from the stage). Says Terminal DG…”That year mi only have 2 songs, “Zinc Shop” and a next song on a faster tempo riddim. There was little rehearsal time for me to work with the band previous to the show. When mi mek mi entrance, the bandman dem perform di wrong track – I was DJ’ing slow and they were playing fast. Yeah, I decided to walk off because they had messed me up. The following year, I hired the band independently, spend mi own money to rehearse on mi own time – everything was perfect”.


Terminal DG also performed in 2010 but passed on a 2011 invitation, in part because the promoter could not secure his picture on the event flyer. Says Terminal DG…”I never knew Laing would ever want me back on Sting, but, I got a call from Fabo (Fabian Hanson/Vibes Promotion) who was paring in Yaad with Laing. He said Laing wanted to talk to me. I was humbled, in the past, I contacted Laing, now Laing is contacting me. We met up at a Beenie Man show a short time after and Laing said, “Everything Dark!”. He had seen my impact in Yaad, recognized my songs and my “Glasses Dark”- Everything Dark brand. Add it all up and Laing thought that I would be a good fit for Sting”.

This year’s Sting line up is expected to include the likes of Tommy Lee (Headliner), Bounty Killer (Headliner), Ninja Man, Kiprich, Mavado, Popcaan, Khago, Aidonia and Terminal DG among others. Sting has always been known for their ‘artiste’ clashes – “clashes are good for business” says Isaiah and in return, “a big Sting is energizing to Dancehall”. Some notable Sting clashes from the past…Ninja Man vs Shabba Ranks (1990), Ninja Man vs Super Cat (1991), Merciless vs Beenie Man/Bounty Killer/Ninja Man (2000), Vybz Kartel vs Mavado (2008) and Merciless vs Kiprich (2011). The numbers don’t lie – expect 25,000 – 30,000 for this year’s fest.

As far as this year’s Sting is concerned, Terminal says…”I feel I’ll go this year with confidence. My songs have been playing over a year and a half in Yaad, they are now recognized. Jamaica knows my theme songs, “It Nuh Easy”, “Mi Nuh Walkover”, “Gal Surround Me Like Zero”, “Flyer”, “Entrance” and “Glasses Dark”. “Touch Di Road Hard Hard Hard” is a song people can relate to – mi live inna Canada yes, but, based on the feedback I get and what I see, my songs motivate them (Jamaicans). I feel I’ll work harder this year, I know who I am, a DJ, not for the glamour, fame, girls or money – all of those things are just a bonus for me. Mi nah let it get to mi head, mi jus a gwaan do mi ting and a try humble wid it – but at the same time, me, myself, have to have some confidence too – I always underestimate myself”.