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Dancehall star Beenie Man is apologising for the incident that led to a Montego Bay resort blacklisting him just before tonight's Reggae Sumfest event.

The deejay's apology comes hot on the heels of a story published in THE STAR on Tuesday which revealed that he and fellow artistes, Mavado and Ninja Man, are not welcome to stay at some hotels for a variety of reasons including unruly behaviour and unpaid bills.

Beenie Man's manager Rohan Smith had told THE STAR that he was not aware of what was driving the stance taken by the hotels, adding that he was embarrassed and disappointed by the news. He said they have never left a hotel with a bill unsettled.

Indirect involvement

But Beenie Man says otherwise and explained a situation in which he was indirectly involved last year.

"About this hotel thing and me owing bill, we need to clear this thing," he said. "I brought some people down there with me, who decide sey dem a stay 'til the Saturday. The suite that me did have was already booked and paid for (Johnny Gourzong, he said, assured him his room would be taken care of), but a next suite was there for my brother. So a next guy who came there but was supposed to go home decide say him ago stay inna di room and tell the people dem sey me responsible for it. So everything that him do down de 'im say me responsible fi it; sign him name pan di bill dem and all a these things. So when we ready now, him no tell us."

Beenie Man said when he asked the unnamed man how he paid his bills he responded that he is a 'big man and him have him own money and him pay him bill.' "So I don't know anything about this thing. We don't disrespect people hotel. It's surprising to know that they put me in these things," he said. "I apologise to the hotel and the management that a man could come in under my name and run up a three-day bill."

Beenie Man said he did not mention the name of the perpetrator because he (the guilty party) knows who he is. He described the guilty person as a man 'who love gwaan like dem hype and no have nutten.'

In the meantime, Summerfest Productions confirmed that the elegant Half Moon resort will be providing accommodation for The 'Doctor' despite him being blacklisted by another prominent Montego Bay resort.

Desperate search

The Sumfest organisers had been desperately searching for accommodation in the last two days.

In the case of the 'Don Gorgon', Ninja Man, his affinity for the Spanish hotel chains has earned him a place at the fabulous Iberostar Rose Hall Resort, while it is unclear where, 'Gully Gad', Mavado will stay during the reggae festival.

Johnny Gourzong, executive director of the festival, said that despite the search one thing that is clear is that Dancehall Night will feature all three artistes along with Bounty Killer, Elephant Man and Busy Signal.

"Sumfest is taking care of them, making sure everything is in top class as it relates to their accommodation," he said.