Jamaica – Abi-D Wins 2025 Festival Song Competition with “Sweet JA”

Abigail “Abi-D” Dunstan has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Jamaica Festival Song Competition, earning national acclaim for her entry Sweet JA. The results were announced at a celebratory live show held at Emancipation Park in St. Andrew on Saturday, July 26.

Dunstan’s uplifting tribute to the island was selected through a combined process of public voting and evaluations by a professional judging panel. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, presented the Festival Song Trophy to Abi-D and confirmed that the $3 million grand prize would be shared equally between the performer, songwriter, and producer — recognizing the collaborative nature of the winning production.

Securing second place was the energetic duo Brother C and Jegz with their entry Come Mek Wi Rally. They also took home the Best Performer Award for their dynamic stage presence. Raldene “Loaded Eagle” Dyer rounded out the top three with JamDung.

Chief Judge Owen Brown praised the remarkable talent showcased in this year’s competition, which received over 160 entries from aspiring and seasoned artists across the island.

“Our team of experienced music professionals carefully reviewed each submission and selected the top 10 finalists based on originality, lyrical content, cultural relevance, production quality, and overall performance,” Brown stated.

Saturday’s show was more than a competition — it was a celebration of Jamaican music and culture. Attendees were treated to performances from reggae icon Richie Spice and 2024 Festival Song winner Kimiela “Candy” Isaacs, who returned to the stage with her hit #One Jamaica. The 2025 finalists also performed their entries alongside renditions of iconic festival songs from previous years.

Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), the Jamaica Festival Song Competition remains the longest-running original song contest on the island. Over the decades, it has become a vital platform for discovering and promoting the next generation of Jamaican musical talent.

This year’s competition once again demonstrated the enduring power of music to unite and inspire, as artists sought to capture the heart and soul of the Jamaican people through melody, message, and national pride.