The fourth Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition (JIIFSC) will be decided on Saturday at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia. Seven finalists will vie for first prize of $8,000 and a trophy.
Garfield McCook, founder and lead organizer of the event, believes his judges have selected another strong field.
“Based on the high quality of the songs, the judges will definitely have a challenge in choosing a winner. The themes are along patriotic lines. A major criteria is that the song must have relevance to Jamaican culture,” he said.
The seven finalists are, Deondra (Jamaica Land My Home), Dona V (Sweet Jamaica), Michael Stewart (In Jamaica), Lavie Lujah (Being A Jamaican is Cool), The Tennors (Come Celebrate), Ernel Earlington & Doxology (Jamaica Nice), and Leon LeTonick Denton (Unda Half Way Tree).
Lavie Lujah won the inaugural contest in 2021 with Certified Yardie. Goddy Son won in 2022 with IRIE, while Jamaican in Mi by LeTonick won last year.
An interesting entry are The Tennors, best known for the rock steady hit singles, Ride Yu Donkey and Pressure And Slide.
This year’s winner will also perform at the Atlanta Jamaica Association Ball on August 10. Runner-up will receive $4000.00 and a trophy, while third place earns $1000.
McCook, an Atlanta-based Jamaican businessman, started the JIIFSC three years ago as a Diaspora version of the long-running Festival Song Competition in Jamaica. Since its inception, it has attracted contestants from Canada and the United States.
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