3 weeks ago
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At 76 years old, Bro C is an old-timer and he’s as fit as a fiddle. A singer who hails from Kellits in Clarendon, he remembers only too well the time when the Festival Song Competition stirred the nation.
Last Saturday, when Emancipation Park came alive with an exhilarating song-and-dance routine from the finalists, which kickstarted the results show for the 2025 Jamaica Festival Song Competition, Brother C and his team mate, Jegz, were front and centre. The 10 finalists set a festive mood as they took attendees down memory lane with songs such as Bam Bam, Play di Music, This is the Land of my Birth, Dance Dis Ya Festival, Born Jamaican, Sweet and Dandy, Give Thanks and Praises, Cherry Oh Baby and Fi Mi Island a Boom.
An appearance from last year’s winner, Candy Isaacs, led into the real showdown of the night – the 10 finalists showcasing their own patriotic entries. Ready for the challenge were Askia Livingstone with Nation Vow; Romane Ingram, Deh Pon Mi Mind; Oliver Ashley, Jamaica You Have It All; Jonah Jack, Vision Jamaica; Abigail ‘Abi-D’ Dunstan, Sweet JA; Raldene ‘Loaded Eagle’ Dyer, Jam Dung; Julene Clarke, A Jam Dung Dis; Bro C & Jegz, Come Mek Wi Rally; Christopher Laing, Jamaica is Big Big Everywhere; and Randeen Thomas, Naah Leave.
As is the norm, each finalist had their own cheering team strategically positioned across the venue, all equipped with vuvuzelas.
Claiming the prize for Best Performer and also placing second in the competition overall, was the charming duo of Bro C & Jegz. At 76, Bro C moved like a man half his age and he made new fans instantly, especially when he fell to the ground and started doing push-ups.
“I feel like 16 years-old,” an excited Bro C told The Gleaner. “What really inspire me to enter is that when I look back and see Toots and the Maytals, Eric Donaldson, Desmond Dekker and the Aces and all those great men who mek Festival big and to know that the real vibes of festival not here any more I just pull together and seh come mek we sing this song Come Mek Wi Rally,” he added.
He shared how Come Mek Wi Rally came to life.
“I sat on my verandah and was banging out this song and it sound nice. So I went out to the town and I met a nice lady who is his [Jegz] cousin and she told me that he does good songs. So I look him up and we start to practise. I tried 16 times in competitions and never come so far ...so I want to big up God,” Bro C said.
Jegz, whose real name is Jeffrey Campbell, said that when approached, he couldn’t tell Bro C “no”.
“When an elder like Bro C reach out to me and seh him a guh do a song to enter festival, I feel overwhelmed. So I just drag down my verse same time and match with him because I neva see a 76-year-old man a kick and a dance like him. A so Jah a go meet some people .... humble and straightforward,” Jegz declared.
Come Mek Wi Rally struck a responsive chord with those gathered at Emancipation Park and also with those online, who renamed the song Rally. But, Brother C & Jegz had to be content with coming second to the dynamic Abi-D with Sweet JA. The 2019 winner, Raldene ‘Loaded Eagle’ Dyer, won third place.
Closing the show amidst another ear-shattering round of vuvuzelas, was Richie Spice, with hit songs such as Earth a Run Red, World in Cycle, Righteous Youths, Brown Skin, Grooving my Girl, and The Plane Land.
Executive Director of the JCDC, Lenford Salmon, told The Gleaner that what stood out this year was “the remarkable diversity – not just in musical styles, but in the ages of our participants”.
“From seasoned veterans to emerging young talent, the Festival Song tradition is clearly transcending generations and connecting Jamaicans of all ages,” Salmon said.
Congratulating the winner, Abi-D, he pointed out that “as a young artiste she represents a bright and promising future for Jamaican music”.
All 10 songs are available on all major streaming platforms, giving artistes, writers, and producers a shot at Grammy consideration.
English (US) ·