Festival Song an Integral Part of Independence Celebrations

The Festival Song Competition, a traditional and long-standing feature since 1966, stands as a vibrant expression of the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Conceived to create an original musical form that would encapsulate the spirit of Jamaica and celebrate the nation’s sovereignty, the competition provides a platform for local musicians to showcase their talent and contribute to the preservation of Jamaican music.

Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange, said the contest is deeply rooted in Jamaican music and traditions.

The Minister, who was addressing a recent function in Montego Bay, noted that the competition has become a key feature of the annual Independence celebrations, which aim to preserve “our cultural heritage and instil a sense of national pride in Jamaicans”.

“This song competition showcases the immense talent and creativity of our people and serves as a reminder of how far we have come as an independent nation. So, as Jamaica prepares to celebrate another year of Independence, the festival song competition and the annual Independence celebrations continue to serve as pillars of Jamaican culture. They embody the spirit of resilience, creativity, and unity that defines the Jamaican people,” she said.

The Minister noted that over the years, the competition has featured a diverse range of musical genres, including reggae, ska, mento, and dancehall.

The competition’s winners, she said, have produced iconic songs that have become ingrained in the cultural fabric and often reflect the country’s history, social issues, and the aspirations of its people.

The Minister pointed out that the song competition not only serves as a celebration of Jamaican music but also highlights the importance of cultural preservation, allowing emerging artists to connect with their heritage and develop a deeper understanding of their musical roots.

“The competition has been a launching pad for many successful careers, [catapulting] artistes into the national and international spotlight,” she added.

The Maytals, with lead singer the late Frederick “Toots” Hibbert, copped the award in the competition’s inaugural year with still-festival-favourite ‘Bam Bam’.

The Maytals won for a second time with ‘Sweet and Dandy’ in 1969 and 1970 saw Hopeton Lewis winning with ‘Boom Shaka Laka’.

In 1971, Eric Donaldson won with the massive hit ‘Cherry Oh Baby’, and in 1972, the Maytals won for a third time with ‘Pomps and Pride’.

This was followed in 1973 by ‘Jump in the Line’ by Morvin Brooks; 1974 ‘Play Di Music’ – Tinga Stewart; 1975 ‘Hooray Festival’ – Roman Stewart (Tinga’s brother); and ‘This is the Land of My Birth’ by Eric Donaldson in 1978.

With a few exceptions, Festival-winning songs over the years and up to about 1997 have mainly been imbued with a combination of mento and reggae flavours.

It is also interesting to note that Eric Donaldson is the most-times winner at seven (1971, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1997), followed by Roy Rayon’s four times (1985, 1987, 1991 and 2008), while the Maytals and the Astronauts have three wins each.

Last year’s winner, Sacaj, with her song ‘Nuh Weh Nice Like Yard’, became just the fifth woman to take home the top prize in the Festival Song Competition in its 57-year-old history.

Her victory followed that of dancehall artist Stacious, who won in 2021 with ‘Jamaican Spirit’.

The other female Festival Song winners are Heather Grant in 1992; Cheryl “Chetenge” Clarke in 1999; and Abbygaye “Abby” Dallas in 2012.

The artiste known as Slashe was the winner of the Best Festival Song 2023 with his performance of ‘Best in the World’.

The finals of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) competition took place on July 29 at the National Arena in Kingston.

This is Slashe’s second time winning the competition, having taken the top spot in 2004.

The song, produced by veteran music producer Donovan Germain of Penthouse Music, beat 10 other entries for a cash prize of $3 million.