Kingston, Jamaica: The 10 songs competing to become Jamaica's next Festival have been officially released by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport through its executing agency, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).
The release gives Jamaicans at home and abroad their first opportunity to hear the entries vying to provide the soundtrack to this year’s Independence celebration.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Honourable Olivia Grange, said the release of the songs marks an important milestone in one of Jamaica's most enduring cultural traditions.
"The songs have now been released, and I am encouraging Jamaicans at home and abroad to become familiar with them and support this year's competition. While the names of the finalists were announced last week, the public can now hear the songs and begin rallying behind their favourites as the search gets underway for Jamaica's next Festival anthem," said Minister Grange.
"I am encouraging broadcast media to give the entries significant airplay in the weeks leading up to the Grand Finale. The songs are available on the Reggae Jamaica App and will also be made available on major digital streaming platforms, providing Jamaicans everywhere with additional opportunities to listen to, share and celebrate Jamaica's music and culture," she added.
Jamaicans will have several opportunities to experience the finalists live ahead of the competition's climax. The contestants are scheduled to perform at the Universal Service Fund’s USF Connec' Di West Road Tour on Friday, June 19, 2026 at Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, St. James at 3:00 p.m. The next stop will be Bank of Jamaica Lunch Hour Concert on Friday, June 26, beginning at 12:30 p.m. The public will get another opportunity to see the finalists during the Festival Song Presentation Show on Saturday, July 11, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre and also broadcast live on Television Jamaica (TVJ).
The competition will culminate with the Festival Song Results Show on Saturday, July 25, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew, beginning at 8:00 p.m. with a live broadcast on Television Jamaica (TVJ).
The Top 10 finalists are:
Aba Jones - “Teet A Fi Me”
Elton Earlington - “Proud a Jamaica”;
dBurns - “I Love Jamaica”
Ovando Levy - “Jamaica School (Bingi Ling)”
Trisstar - “I am Jamaican”
Renegad - “I’m From Jamaica”
Brother C - “Jamaica Woie”
Bovia - “Jamaica Pon Di App”
Christina Evans - “Jamaica a fiwi island”
Latanya Stampp - “My Jamaica, Land of Festivals”
As Jamaica prepares to celebrate its 64th year of Independence, the Festival Song Competition once again offers Jamaicans an opportunity to unite through music while championing local talent and cultural expression.
