With Sting set to return in less than five weeks, memories of Merciless, one of its icons, are bound to resurface. He died in July but his protégé, Mercenary, plans to represent him in a big way. The December 26 event will be Mercenary’s biggest gig to date, and he’s looking forward to the assignment. “All mi can do is try mi best. Mi not comparing miself to Leonard ’cause him was an icon, wi jus’ glad to get a chance to prove wiself,” said Mercenary.
Leonard Bartley was Merciless’ real name. He died in July in Kingston at age 51.He is Mercenary’s biggest influence. The deejay, who is from rural St. Elizabeth parish in southern Jamaica, is managed by Orville “Gaddafi” Hart, who also guided Merciless for most of his career. To date, Mercenary has recorded a handful of songs, some of which have been released. They include From Rags to Riches, I’ve Been Missing You and The Girl dem Lover.
Typical of persons from St. Elizabeth, Mercenary tried his hand at farming before deciding to give his lifelong passion to become a deejay, a try. Early this year, he made his recording début with Top Man, produced by Claude Mills. With Gaddafi’s guidance, he hopes to make an even bigger impact than Merciless. Sting returns after a seven-year absence at Plantation Cove in St. Ann parish with organizers confirming over 45 acts. First held in 1984, it became a dancehall extravaganza, with the genre’s biggest names performing on it. Merciless became a Sting staple, featuring in memorable clashes with Ninja Man, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man.
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