Kingston, Jamaica: The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has withdrawn one of the Top 10 finalists from the 2026 Jamaica Festival Song Competition having determined that the entry did not satisfy the competition’s requirement that submissions be new and unpublished works.
Junior McCalla, who performs under the stage name Renegad with the song ‘I’m from Jamaica’, will no longer participate in the competition.
Executive Director of the JCDC, Lenford Salmon, said the decision was taken in keeping with the competition's rules and the Commission's responsibility to ensure fairness to all participants.
"The Jamaica Festival Song Competition has earned the trust of Jamaicans over six decades because of its commitment to fairness and transparency. The eligibility requirements are clearly outlined in the competition rules and participant agreement, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they are applied consistently to all contestants,” he said.
Salmon also acknowledged the talent Mr. McCalla brought to this year's competition and encouraged him to consider entering future editions of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition, provided that all eligibility requirements are met.
"While we appreciate the talent and commitment demonstrated by all participants, we must also ensure that the competition is conducted in a fair and credible manner for the benefit of everyone involved. We thank Mr. McCalla for his participation and wish him every success in his future musical endeavours."
The competition will continue with the remaining nine finalists:
- Elton Earlington – "Proud a Jamaica"
- dBURNZ – "I Love Jamaica"
- Ovando Levy – "Jamaica School (Bingi Ling)"
- Trisstar – "I Am Jamaican"
- Brother C – "Jamaica Woie"
- Bovia – "Jamaica Pon Di App"
- Aba Jones – "Teet A Fi Me"
- Lady Jazz – "Jamaica a Fiwi Island"
- Song Bird – "My Jamaica, Land of Festivals"
The remaining finalists are scheduled to perform live today, Friday, June 19, at the Universal Service Fund's (USF) Connec' Di West Road Tour at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St. James, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
They will next appear at the Bank of Jamaica Lunch Hour Concert on Friday, June 26, beginning at 12:30 p.m. They will also take the stage at the Festival Song Presentation Show on Saturday, July 11 at 8:30 p.m., which will be broadcast live on Television Jamaica (TVJ).
The competition will culminate with the Festival Song Grand Final and Results Show on Saturday, July 25, at 8:30 p.m. at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, where Jamaica's next Festival Song winner will be revealed.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition, which continues to celebrate Jamaican creativity, culture and national pride through music.
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