Calling all musicians: Entries now open for the 2024 Jamaica Festival Song Competition

BY RUSHANE FERRON

The vibrant rhythms of Jamaican music are set to once again take center stage as the island announces the opening of entries for the highly anticipated 2024 staging of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition. With a legacy spanning over half a century, this iconic event celebrates the rich musical heritage of Jamaica while showcasing the talent and creativity of local musicians.

The Jamaica Festival Song Competition, organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), is a platform for artists to create and perform original songs that capture the spirit of Jamaican: culture, unity, and national pride. From reggae and dancehall to ska and mento, the competition welcomes entries from a diverse range of musical genres that reflect the eclectic sounds of the island.

As the birthplace of reggae music and home to many legendary artists Jamaica continues to boast a storied musical tradition that continues to inspire artists and audiences worldwide. The Festival Song Competition honours this legacy by providing emerging and established musicians with an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.

Entries for the 2024 Jamaica Festival Song Competition are now open to all Jamaican citizens and residents, and Jamaicans in the diaspora for songwriters and performers to submit their original compositions for consideration. Songs should embody the essence of Jamaican culture, with lyrics that celebrate the island’s unique heritage, traditions, and way of life.

In addition to the prestige of having their song selected as the official Festival Song for 2024, the winning artist will receive over three million in cash and prizes and the opportunity to perform at various celebratory events. The winning song will also become an integral part of Jamaica’s Independence Day celebrations, serving as a rallying cry for unity and national pride.

Aspiring musicians and seasoned performers alike are encouraged to seize this opportunity to showcase their talent and contribute to Jamaica’s vibrant musical landscape. Entries for the 2024 Jamaica Festival Song Competition can be submitted online through the JCDC’s official website, or at all parish offices across the island.

With its legacy of celebrating the power of music to unite, inspire, and uplift, the Jamaica Festival Song Competition continues to be a cornerstone of Jamaican culture and identity. As the island gears up for another unforgettable staging of this iconic event, all eyes and ears are eagerly awaiting the next anthem that will capture the hearts of Jamaicans at home and abroad.

Suwannee Caine, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the JCDC shared that it’s been almost 60 years since JCDC established this platform for budding artists, songwriters, and producers to showcase their talents in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition. “We are so proud of the ability to unearth new and original songs that resonate with the essence of Jamaican identity and bring a sense of pride and patriotism to our nation.”

Persons who are interested in entering the 2024 competition should note that they will need to upload a lyric sheet and their entry song in a MP3 file format, which should be four minutes or less. The Jamaica Festival Song competition carries an entry fee of $1,000 JMD per entry.

The Jamaica Festival Song Competition, which started in 1966, has helped to launch and advance careers of some of Jamaica’s acclaimed singers and songwriters. Winners of the competition have included: Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Decker, Eric Donaldson, Roy Rayon, Buju Banton and Stanley Beckford.