Kingston, Jamaica – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, has announced the Top 10 finalists in the 2026 Jamaica Festival Song Competition.
This announcement follows an exhilarating semi-final showcase held on May 16, 2026, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston, where 31 talented semi-finalists delivered vibrant performances. After careful deliberation, the judges selected the ten entries that will move forward in the competition.
The finalists were selected by a panel comprising Festival Song icon and Chief Judge Roy Rayon, producer Omar ‘SmartKid’ Currie, producer Paul “Computer Paul” Henton, and recording artiste Alaine, who evaluated the entries based on lyrical content, originality, vocal delivery, stage presentation, and overall appeal.
The Top 10 finalists are: Aba Jones from Clarendon with “Teet A Fi Me”, Elton Earlington from Kingston & St. Andrew with “Proud a Jamaica”, Melbourne Douglas, also known as D Burns, from Kingston & St. Andrew with “I Love Jamaica”,Ovando Levy from St. Catherine with “Jamaica School (Bingi Ling)”, Tricia Cunningham from Hanover with “I am Jamaican”, Junior McCalla from St. Catherine with “I’m From Jamaica”, Solomon Walters from Clarendon with “Jamaica Woie”, Beverley Henry from St. Catherine with “Jamaica Pon Di App”, Christina Evans from Kingston & St. Andrew with “Jamaica a fiwi island”, and Latanya Stampp from Kingston & St. Andrew with “My Jamaica, Land of Festivals”.
The semi-final competition showcased a vibrant mix of musical styles and original compositions, all highlighting themes of patriotism, unity, laughter, and Jamaican identity.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, commended the contestants for the high standard displayed throughout the competition and encouraged Jamaicans to support the finalists as they continue their journey toward the coveted Festival Song title.
“The Jamaica Festival Song Competition continues to serve as a powerful platform for showcasing our creativity, culture, and national pride through music. The performances this year were exceptional, and I congratulate all the semi-finalists for their outstanding efforts. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Competition, and it will be a very special and exciting celebration of Jamaica’s musical legacy. I encourage Jamaicans everywhere to support the finalists as we celebrate another exciting season of Festival”, Minister Grange stated.
The Jamaica Festival Song Competition remains one of the country’s most anticipated cultural programmes and forms an integral part of the annual Emancipation and Independence celebrations.
The Presentation Show is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. Over the coming weeks, the finalists will participate in promotional activities, media appearances, and public performances leading up to the grand finale in July, with 3 million dollars and the National Title on the line.
