High school DJ competition gives youth a voice

Eighteen secondary-school students from 18 local high schools will be competing for 'bragging rights' to be named the best of the best in the SunCity High School Disc Jock Competition.

The theme is 'Youth Unplugged: Amplifying the Voice of Youth through Music and Education'.

According to Tameka Chevannes, SunCity's marketing and events coordinator, the platform has managed to engage youth since its first official staging in 2016 and has become a networking initiative for those who wish to build a brand and career in the music industry.

"We recognise that the youths have been socially distant over the past two years and want this platform to be an opportunity for them to be unplugged from all that they have been dealing with. For some, it's the general tension in their surroundings, communities and homes, also from violence and negativity, using music as a medium for them to share their voice and to also educate them on how to engage people of all ages utilising all the tools of the trade, including their voices," Chevannes told THE STAR.

The initiative is being executed in collaboration with the culture and youth ministries. Participating schools span the breadth of Jamaica, from St James to St Thomas, with even seventh-grade students participating.

Chevannes expressed that she was overwhelmed by the turnout at last Thursday's launch, which was held at the AC Hotel by Mariott Kingston.

"To have parents, teachers and principals show support for the competition, was evidence that persons were becoming more aware of the career opportunities as a disc jockey and the potential of students who had dreams to pursue non-traditional professions," she said. "Some of them may not be talkers, but music has been giving them motivation to speak up and speak out."

singing praise

The competition will continue for eight weeks and listeners can engage through weekly segments and social-media highlights on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Well-known producer and artiste Supa Hype praised the competition for its 'edutainment' aspect and mission to promote clean music.

"I've watched many of the youths come into the competition as novices and leave as leaders and speakers," he said. He named Brian 'DJ Tuckerfresh' Tucker, who placed third last year, as one of the contestants who broke from his shell and can now speak fluently and confidently in front of an audience.

"He, like many of the youths who enter, will be exposed to music history and be tested in different ways. But they will benefit as it fosters their overall development to be more aware of their surroundings," Supa Hype said.