22 hours ago
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Ten finalists will compete for the winning title of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition and more than $3 million in cash and prizes at the grand finale on Saturday at Emancipation Park in Kingston, starting at 8:30 p.m. The competition, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), attracted more than 160 song entries this year.
The finalists are: Askia Livingstone – Nation Vow; Romane Ingram – Deh Pon Mi Mind; Oliver Ashley – Jamaica You Have It All; Jonah Jack – Vision Jamaica; Abigail Dunstan – Sweet Ja; Raldene Dyer – Jam Dung; Julene Clarke – A Jam Dung Dis; Bredda C & Jegz – Come Mek Wi Rally; Christopher Laing – Jamaica is Big Big Everywhere; and Randeen Thomas – Naah Leave.
Festival Song Committee Chairman Orville Hill explained that the entries were screened by a panel of industry judges over two days. From this listening session, 30 semi-finalists were chosen.
These 30 competed at the semi-finals in May at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew, where the final 10 were selected.
Hill noted that the $3 million prize will be shared equally among the producer, writer and performer.
“It takes quite a bit of creativity to come up with writing, [then] the producer to put it in its correct sound and, of course, the performer who will bring their personal style in terms of delivery,” Mr Hill informed.
He added that this year’s finalists reflect both new talent and seasoned performers, across a variety of musical genres.
“[People] can expect to get good variety, [and] great entertainment. I think we will find a song that Jamaica can rally around as we get into our Independence celebrations. I invite all of Jamaica to come and be entertained,” Hill said.
The show is free to the public and will also be broadcast live on Television Jamaica and the social media pages of the JCDC.
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