Dancehall Stars In The Festival Song Mix

Dancehall’s ‘hot ras’ I-Octane and songstress Stacious are among the 12 finalists for this year’s Jamaica Festival Song Competition.

Instead of the customary 10 finalists, 12 finalists will be vying for a prize of $3 million – to be shared among the producer, writer, and singer – in the only professional competition staged as part of the Jamaica Festival.

Jamaica’s Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport made the announcement yesterday after the selection panel, led by the chief judge, iconic Reggae/Dancehall music producer Donovan Germain, completed the process.

The top 12 songs in this year’s competition will be available for purchase and streaming on 30 digital platforms across the world.

Again, the public will be asked to select the winning song through telephone voting as of July 5. Each finalist has been assigned a voting line on the Digicel network; however, Flow customers can vote as well.

In the absence of islandwide roadshows, the Ministry has engaged national radio and television stations as well as social media to bring the finalists and their entries to the public. TVJ will broadcast two virtual shows with the finalists on July 15 and 22.

I-Octane’s song Land We Love, which he co-wrote with DJ Barkley, real name Carl Bartley, was produced by Conquer the Globe Productions/Barkley Production. Stacious, whose real name is Stacey Scarlett Bryan, wrote her song Jamaican Spirit and produced it with Matthew Gentles and Patrick Wheatle.

Hitmaker Lutan Fyah is also among the finalists for the song Jah Mek Yah, written and produced by Ernie Wilks.

The other finalists are Candy (Birthday Bash JA); Pessoa (Celebration [wet sugar]); Althea Hewitt (Jamaica Nice); Father Reece (Jamaican Talawah); DB (Love Jamaica My Land); Tamo J (Real Talk [Jamrock]); Dez I Boyd (Rumba Box); Reggae Maxx (Sweet Jamaica); and Fab 5 (Unwind).

According to Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange, the finalists represent a cross-section of genres that will appeal to many people.

“We want the winning song to be on the lips of every man, woman and child this Independence and beyond,” she said.

The minister also said she was “very pleased that so many outstanding performers, writers and producers have entered the Jamaica Festival Song Competition this year, and that there are three women among the finalists.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Jamaica Festival Song committee of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, Orville Hill, said: “This group of finalists represents a great mix of emerging and experienced talent that will be on display for the Jamaican people.”