With less than two weeks before the grand final, organizers of the Festival Song Contest in Jamaica are satisfied with its progress. Twelve acts are competing for the main prize of $20,000. 

“It’s building momentum. The pandemic affected us in more ways than people expected but things are up and running,” said Lennie Salmon, the event’s producer. 

Because Covid-19 restrictions are still enforced in Jamaica, the traditional lead-up to the Festival Song Contest has been shelved. That included a road show with the contestants performing their songs. 

The final is scheduled for July 22 in Kingston, two weeks before Jamaica celebrates its independence. 

Like last year, organizers have come up with an attractive prize package to attract big-name artists. I-Octane, Lutan Fyah and Stacious have entered, as well as the Fab Five Band and previous winner Pessoa. 

Last year’s winner was “I Am A Jamaican” by Buju Banton. 

Salmon admits there is discontent in some quarters about the presence of high-profile acts. 

“They think it’s taking away from smaller artists, but when Festival just started it had the biggest artists like Toots and Desmond Dekker. What we’re doing is a continuation of swinging the pendulum to where the contest once was,” he explained. 

Toots And The Maytals won the inaugural contest with “Bam Bam” in 1966. Desmond Dekker And The Aces took the 1968 edition with “Music Like Dirt (Intensified ‘68”). 

The 2021 Festival Song Contest contestants and their songs are: 

  

01. Kimiela Candy Isaacs - Birthday Bash JA 
02. Peso - Celebration (Wet Sugar) 
03. Lutan Fyah - Jamaica (Jah Mek Ya) 
04. Althea Hewitt - Jamaica Nice 
05. Stacious - Jamaican Spirit 
06. Father Reece - Jamaicans Talawah 
07. I-Octane - Land We Love 
08. DB - Love Jamaica My Land 
09. Tamo J - Real Talk (Jamrock) 
10. Dez I Boyd - Rumba Box 
11. Reggae Maxx - Sweet Jamaica 
12. Fab 5 - Unwind

 

Written By Howard Campbell