Battle for next festival anthem gathers steam

The battle for Jamaica’s next Festival anthem has increased in intensity, with the 10 songs vying for the coveted title now released by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport through its executing agency, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).

The public release marks the first opportunity for Jamaicans at home and abroad to hear the entries competing to provide the soundtrack for this year’s Independence celebrations.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, described the release as an important milestone in one of Jamaica’s most cherished cultural traditions.

“The songs have now been released, and I am encouraging Jamaicans at home and abroad to become familiar with them and support this year's competition,” said Grange.

As the nation prepares to mark its 64th year of Independence, the Festival Song Competition once again aims to unite Jamaicans through music while showcasing local talent and cultural expression.

Grange has also urged broadcast media to give the entries “significant airplay” in the weeks leading up to the grand finale on July 25.

The 10 songs are available on the Reggae Jamaica App and will also be released on major digital streaming platforms, allowing Jamaicans everywhere to listen, share, and celebrate the country’s music and culture.

In the meantime, the finalists will have several opportunities to perform live ahead of the competition’s climax. They are scheduled to appear at the Universal Service Fund’s USF Connec’ Di West Road Tour on Friday, June 19, at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St James, starting at 3:00 p.m.

The next stop will be the Bank of Jamaica Lunch Hour Concert on Friday, June 26, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

The public will also get another chance to see the finalists during the Festival Song Presentation Show on Saturday, July 11, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew.

The Top 10 finalists are:

Aba Jones – Teet A Fi Me 

Elton Earlington – Proud a Jamaica 

dBurns – I Love Jamaica 

Ovando Levy – Jamaica School (Bingi Ling) 

Trisstar – I am Jamaican 

Renegad – I’m From Jamaica 

Brother C – Jamaica Woie 

Bovia – Jamaica Pon Di App 

Christina Evans – Jamaica a fiwi island 

Latanya Stampp – My Jamaica, Land of Festivals