Who will be the 2024 Gospel Star Winner? Anticipation builds as Jamaica Gospel Star Season 4 kicks off

BY RUSHANE FERRON

The highly anticipated Jamaica Gospel Star Competition is set to return for its fourth season on Sunday, July 14^th, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., offering a platform for gospel talents to showcase their abilities and propel their ministries to new heights.

This year’s competition features a diverse group of 10 talented finalists: Shornette McPherson, Shauna-Kaye McArthur, Darren Grant, Terrica Pryce, Kenneka Rust, Robert “Brodba” Brodber, Donica Dennis Chambers, Curtis Rhoden, Jaida Messam, and Shauna Thomas. Together, they exemplify the rich diversity and extraordinary talent within Jamaica’s gospel music community.

Honourable Olivia Grange, OJ, CD, MP, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, expressed her excitement about this year’s competition, emphasizing the exceptional talent: “The 2024 cohort of the Jamaica Gospel Star Competition features a spectacular assembly of some of Jamaica’s finest aspiring and seasoned singing talents, promising an electrifying musical showdown. We are poised for another thrilling and fiercely competitive year.”

Launched in 2021, Jamaica Gospel Star builds upon the legacy of the renowned Jamaica Gospel Song Competition, which produced some of the island’s most celebrated gospel hits, including ‘Hold My Hand Today’ by Glacia Robinson, ‘Praise’ by Kevin Downswell, ‘More Blessings Again’ by Lubert Levy, and ‘One Touch’ by Levy’s Heritage. This revamped competition continues the tradition of providing a platform for contestants to launch powerful gospel ministries, both locally and globally.

“The JCDC Gospel Star Competition is more than a music contest; it is a ministry that nurtures the personal and professional growth of its participants,” said Minister Grange. “Through this platform, we are empowering the next generation of gospel ministers who can carry on the legacy of renowned artists like Kevin Downswell, who developed their ministries through the JCDC Gospel Competition.”

The 2024 edition promises to be a transformative experience for the finalists, who will engage with gospel music professionals and gain invaluable industry connections for mentorship and guidance. Veteran vocalist and experienced vocal coach, Alicia Taylor, a pillar in Jamaica’s Gospel music scene, will serve as the rehearsal coach, drawing from her extensive experience supporting artists like Jermaine Edwards and Rondel Positive, as well as leading worship at Worship and Faith International Fellowship. The esteemed panel of judges includes industry luminaries: Nadine Blair, John Mark Wiggan, Ruth Browne, Djenne Greaves, and Leighton Jones, all of whom bring a wealth of expertise.

“While we present the Jamaica Gospel Star as a competition, it truly operates as a ministry where finalists learn to balance their personal faith with their public ministry,” explained Andrea McCurdy, Production Manager at the JCDC. “This experience equips them with the tools and connections they need to thrive in the gospel music industry and reach new heights in their calling.”

The competition will unfold as an exhilarating live four-episode TV talent show, culminating in the grand finale on Sunday, August 4^th, 2024, as part of the highly anticipated Jamaica Praise Event at the Independence Village, National Stadium Complex.

The first episode will air at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 14^th, with subsequent episodes airing in prime time at 8:00 p.m. on Sundays on CVM Television.

The series will also broadcast simultaneously on the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ) and streamed on the social media platforms of the JCDC. Voting will begin after each episode on the Digicel network (with votes from both Digicel and Flow) and on the FREE Reggae Jamaica Mobile App, giving the audience at home and in the diaspora the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Jamaica’s gospel music landscape.