History is in the making as Jamaica’s Minister of Culture Oliva Grange announced that an unprecedented number of females have been chosen as finalists in the 2024 Jamaica Festival Song Competition.
For the first time in the nearly 60-year history of the competition, more female finalists will compete, with six women chosen compared to four men. This announcement was made at the end of May 2024.
VPAL Music, the official distributor of the Festival Song Competition compilation will make the project available on all streaming platforms on July 12th, 2024.
The six female finalists are:
1. Auraiya Hope (Proud Jamaican)
2. Sister Novelette (Fi Mi Island Home)
3. TrishMaq (Jamaica is a Big Brand)
4. Kimiela ‘Candy’ Isaacs (# One Jamaica)
5. Trisstar (Jamaica Jamaica)
6. Pepita (We are Jamaicans)
The four male finalists are:
1. Lex M.D (Jah Love this Land).
2. Renzzah (Waa Back Jamaica)
3. Reggae Maxx (Better Jamaica)
4. Casey Donaldson (Sweet Jamaica)
Minister Grange noted that the variety in the selection of finalists is a representation of the tireless work put in by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) in unearthing and showcasing Jamaican culture.
“I’m particularly happy about the fact that for the first time, so many women would have been selected in the top 10. They were selected by the judges who were very critical and focused on what they considered to be the best entries. This year it will be interesting to see the battle between the ladies and of course the gentlemen,” the Minister noted.
Donovan Williams of VPAL Music added: “The last four years we’ve seen a steady growth in interest across the USA and UK diaspora including Germany, Brazil, South Africa and France for songs from the Jamaica Festival Competition. Having this many women compete this year will continue to raise the competition level.”
