The 20-year-old Jamaican songbird Abi-D, aka Abigail Dunstan, the 2025 Jamaica Festival Song Competition winner, stormed into New York this past Labor Day weekend and engaged fans with a series of appearances that left Jamaicans in the diaspora buzzing with pride and excitement.
Abi-D’s whirlwind NY tour began on Labor Day Friday with an appearance on urban PIX11 TV, where she represented the JCDC and brand Jamaica with confidence. Later that afternoon, Abi-D made the trek to Queens, NY, where she lit up the night, delivered a scintillating performance at the Outside Lounge. She began her performance with two Bob Marley classic songs, “Three Little Birds” and “One Love,” that warmed the hearts of the packed house before taking her performance three notches higher with “Sweet JA,” her winning Festival Song for 2025. The packed house showed its love and appreciation, responding with unbridled enthusiasm. After a short break, the talented singer mingled with the crowd, signing autographs, taking pictures, and soaking in the love that the Jamaican diaspora had to offer.
On Saturday, the young singer made her way to VP Records, the world’s largest independent reggae music label, located on Jamaica Avenue for a meet-and-greet event, organised and hosted by the VP record label co-founder Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin.
Abi-D used the opportunity to entertain invited guests with her winning festival song Sweet JA. Abi was then gifted a signed copy of Miss Pat’s autobiography.
“I was honored to receive Miss Pat’s book; it felt like getting a piece of reggae’s foundation. I’m eager to read about her journey, the struggles and triumphs, and how she built her legacy. Her story will inspire me as I pursue my own path in music,” she shared.
Abi also received a special presentation from Ardenne High School alumnus Clive Blackwood, executive vice president and the general auditor of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The presentation was made on behalf of the Ardenne High past students in the NY diaspora.
“That moment was meaningful to me, highlighting the far-reaching Jamaican diaspora and our ability to uplift each other globally. Being recognized by someone as accomplished as Mr. Blackwood, and sharing the Ardenne connection, filled me with pride and motivation,” she opined.
The Labor Day tour also included a plethora of radio interviews. This opportunity ensured Abi-D’s message of Jamaican pride reached audiences far and wide in the NY Metro area.
For Abi-D, highlights of the trip were “Performing live on PIX11, where I proudly showcased Jamaica’s music, and meeting fans at the Outside Lounge and VP Records. Their love and energy reminded me why I do this and showed that the message of Sweet JA resonates beyond Jamaica,” she shared.
Abi also spoke highly of meeting Miss Pat.
“Meeting Miss Pat was truly inspiring. She has contributed immensely to reggae music and has paved the way for countless artists. Sitting with her and absorbing her wisdom was a humbling experience,” she said.
Candice Williams, Social Media Officer at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), had high praise for Abi-D’s performance on her debut trip to NY.
“Abi-D truly embodied the pride and spirit of Jamaica. At just 20 years old, she stepped onto the international stage with confidence, carrying the legacy of the Festival Song Competition into a new era. Her presence on the international stage reminded audiences in New York, many of whom are part of the Jamaican diaspora, of the richness of our culture and the power of our creative industries.”
Williams noted that the trip to the Big Apple was historic for the JCDC.
“We are deeply grateful to the Jamaica Tourist Board and our other partners who made this historic trip possible. Their investment proved that showcasing our talent abroad is not just valuable, it’s impactful for Brand Jamaica and for our young creatives,” she said.
Asked about lessons learnt from the media trip, the young starlight said, “Music knows no borders. When you invest your heart into your art, it can resonate with people far and wide,” adding that the trip highlighted the importance of staying authentic and sharing Jamaica’s story with the world.
