No Festival Song competition surprises artistes

Dancehall artiste Stacious, who last year became the fourth woman to win the Festival Song competition in its 55-year history, with the song Jamaica Spirit, said that she was surprised at the announcement that there will not be a competition this year.

"I know that the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) was working assiduously to bring back the competition to a high level by reminding people that it is for everyone, professionals and amateurs alike. I did not submit an entry this year but I was looking forward to seeing who would win," Stacious said. "Hopefully, next year they come back with a bang."

Culture Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange announced in Parliament on Wednesday that the panel which has been set up to select the finalists was unable to do so owing to the poor quality of the 123 entries. Up-and-coming singer Sacaj, a first-time entrant into the Festival Song Competition, is disheartened by the news that there will not be any competition this year.

Sacaj, who said it was always her dream to enter the competition, did so this year with a song titled What a Time to be Jamaican. It was produced by her manager, Newell Morgan.

"I am disappointed. We put so much hard work and passion into this and even more than that, this is such a significant year for Jamaica. We are turning 60 and we won't have a Festival Song," the St Mary-based artiste told THE STAR. "I love my country and I love writing and I wanted to contribute my art to this cultural event."

Grange said that the opportunity will be used to produce a Jamaica 60 commemorative album. The good news for the entrants is that two songs that were selected from the entries will be part of the compilation album, which will showcase big names like Shaggy and Marcia Griffiths, as well as emerging acts.

"I am very, very hopeful that my song will be chosen," Sacaj said.

Morgan said the outcome is "very sad" and opined that for the 60th anniversary of Independence, "If there is ever a time we need it, it's now."

"We have the song that could win. What a Time to be Jamaican was produced at Drop the Bass Studio in St Mary and it's all live musicians. If we are not one of the two chosen, then I am going to release it," Morgan said.

The Festival Song Competition is an annual feature of Jamaica's Independence activities. Organised and run by the JCDC, the competition aims to identify a song which embodies the spirit of the Jamaican people. In 1966,The Maytals won the first staging with the song Bam Bam.