Kingston, 26 July 2021 – “The Festival Song is back!” declared the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, after the successful staging of the 2021 competition.

The Minister was beaming with satisfaction after the final show and the announcement of the winner live on national television and online.

“A woman has won and what’s interesting… a Dancehall song, a really hardcore Dancehall song has won,” said the Minister as she reflected on this year’s competition.

As was the case last year, the 2021 competition had to be a virtual affair because of restrictions on gatherings to prevent the spread of covid-19.

Despite the absence of road shows across the country to introduce the Jamaica Festival Song finalists, Minister Grange said there was still a very good response to the competition which relied on public vote to determine the winner.

The thousands of people who voted via mobile networks and on the Reggae Jamaica app over a two week period chose the Dancehall artiste, Stacious, with her song titled, ‘Jamaican Spirit’ to be the winner.

“Yes, one for the books, and I’m really happy about that,” said Stacious after being presented with the winner’s trophy and cash prize of three million dollars to be shared among singer, song writer and producer.

Stacious’ song doesn’t sound like the typical Festival Song and the lyrics are different as well. The singer says that’s the point:

“I definitely wanted to come outside of the box. I never wanted to talk about the usual food, the beaches — we know how Jamaica is beautiful. I wanted to pay homage to the real truth behind Jamaica — what makes Jamaica, Jamaica is the people. We are the most creative, the most resilient… we’re just a whole vibe, we’re a mood, we walk into a room [and] everything changes. And I just wanted to celebrate that and pat all of my fellow Jamaicans on the back and say ‘hey, we survived a very hard year [and] we have further to go’”

Minister Grange, who has been working to revitalise and refresh the Jamaica Festival Song competition, said Spacious’ victory will enhance those efforts.

Minister Grange said:
“Stacious’ win will bring in the young people. It will bring in the grassroots people. It will bring in the hardcore dancehall communities. It will make a difference. And with the involvement of I-Octane and Tamo J, we have finally been able to make the Festival Song competition appeal to everybody.

[The Jamaica Festival Song competition] truly reflects the culture because even the genres tonight reflected the different types of Jamaican music…We were able to reach out to Jamaicans and the diversity of the Jamaican society and music.

I would say Festival Song is back and all set for the Diamond Jubilee next year when we celebrate our 60th anniversary [of Independence].”

For the first time, this year there was a ‘Best Performer Award’ which went to dancer turned singer ‘DB’ who also finished second in the popular vote with ‘Love Jamaica My Land’.

Tamo J placed third with his Dancehall song ‘Real Talk (Jamrock)’.

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Kingston, 24 July 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has released the following statement at the passing of Hugh Nash, the former Chairman and Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.

Minister’s Statement

“I am deeply saddened at the news of the passing of Mr. Hugh Nash, former Executive Director and Chairman of the JCDC. Nicknamed ‘Mr. Festival’ for his work in positioning the Jamaica Festival movement and cultural development at the centre of national development, Nash was a true Jamaican patriot whose energy and commitment to nation-building knew no bounds as he gave tireless service to this the land of his birth.

Mr. Nash was invited by then Minister of Planning and Development, the late former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, to develop a document to ensure that culture would play an integral role in the upliftment of the lives of the Jamaican working class. Out of this emerged the Jamaica Festival Commission. When the name was changed to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, he again led the charge to develop the organisation.

He was one of those humble souls who knew only to give his all to care for the working people of Jamaica.

Mr. Nash was instrumental in the organisation of Things Jamaica through which Jamaican craftsmen, women and artisans received support for development, trade and export.

He also helped to establish the Jamaica National Heritage Trust when its name was changed from National Trust Commission.

The achievements of Hugh Nash in national cultural development were anchored in deep knowledge and appreciation for the working class people of Jamaica whom he saw as creators and guardians of our history and culture. He learnt it all by traversing the villages in his parish Manchester, talking and interacting with the people, while cultivating the management and administrative acumen that reflected his leadership of national cultural development.

With Hugh Nash’s passing, Jamaica has lost a great son, cultural icon and tradition bearer, management and leadership expert.

Mr. Nash never said no to any call to serve his beloved Jamaica. He will be sorely missed.

I say to his family: you have given to Jamaica a cultural powerhouse to whom our nation is grateful. May you take comfort in his service to our country.”

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Kingston, 8 July 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced major changes to the gospel song component of the annual Jamaica Festival.

“Whereas in the past it was the Jamaica Gospel Song competition, this year it is the Jamaica Gospel Star competition,” said Minister Grange.

She said the format of the competition has changed.

Unlike its predecessor, which focused on finalists performing and building momentum for their original song, the Jamaica Gospel Star Competition will see contestants performing cover songs in two weekly televised performance shows.

“Through those performances, vocals, and how they’re able to capture their audience — that is how we will choose the star of gospel for 2021. “We’re looking for that star.”

The 10 finalists for the Jamaica Gospel Star competition include Daynea Deacon Jones who won the Gospel Song Competition in 2018, Mirriam Hibbert who was the runner-up in 2012, Kaydene Smith who was runner-up in 2010 and 2020 as part of the groups ‘Servants’ and ‘Euphoria’ respectively, and Daron Mitchell who was finished 3rd in 2019.

Former National Children’s Gospel winners Kevin Melbourne and Erica Lumsden are also among the Jamaica Gospel Star finalists which are completed by Raheim Betty, Latanya Elliot, Carlington Watson and Malika James.

Minister Grange said “the finalists will be promoted through 4 shows on CVM television. The public will be able to vote for each contestant and through the number of votes polled the Jamaica Gospel Star will be selected.”

The Acting Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, Marjorie Leyden-Kirton said “We’re very excited about our first Jamaica Gospel Star Competition. We have high expectations of these experienced and talented finalists who were selected from more than 100 entries. They will bless the nation with their performances.”

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Kingston, 7 July 2021 – The songs vying to become the Jamaica Festival Song for 2021 are now available for download and streaming on the major music streaming services including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Pandora and Spotify.

The album — Jamaica Festival 2021 Song Competition — with the 12 finalists went live on the weekend.

It’s the second year that the finalists in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition are being exposed on global streaming platforms as part of plans by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, to revitalise the annual Jamaica Festival.

Last year’s Jamaica Festival Song finalists were streamed on 30 digital platforms across the world and Minister Grange says there are plans to add other platforms this year.

The 12 finalists are:

Minister Grange said:

“These 12 songs will get maximum exposure on the digital platforms and then the public will be able to vote to determine the winning song.  They’re gonna vote across service providers and also on the Reggae Jamaica app where, particularly members of the Diaspora will be able to poll their votes.”

The Reggae Jamaica app is available for iOs and Android devices.

The voting options are now open.

The finalists will perform in two televised shows to be aired on TVJ and social media on July 15 and 22.

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Kingston 10, June 2021 (JIS) - The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission is now 95 per cent digitised in its processes.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, gave this update during her 2021/2022 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives, on June 8.

“Our efforts at modernising the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission are bearing fruit. For the first time this year, the Commission will accept entries for its various competitions leading up to Jamaica Festival in a completely digital form,” Minister Grange said.

“Additionally, we are investing in an e-commerce platform for the JCDC’s website where it will be able to sell products to support its operations,” she added. 

The Minister noted that the Government has invested heavily in the Commission’s live-stream capability to the point where it is now beginning to earn revenue from streams of various activities of the JCDC and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

“We have [also] put the necessary processes in place to enable the JCDC, for the first time, to have the entries in its Festival Song Competition available for purchase and streaming on 30 digital platforms across the world. The JCDC is now earning royalties, and the competitors are now earning royalties and we are now compliant, as we should be, with the music industry,” she said.

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Kingston, 15 November 2020 (JIS) - Late Reggae singer and cultural icon, Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert, joins a select list of distinguished Jamaicans who have been laid to rest within the hallowed walls of the National Heroes Park in Kingston.

He died at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in St Andrew on September 11 at age 77, after a bout of illness.

On hand to witness the interment and bid farewell to Mr. Hibbert on Sunday (November 15) were: Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange; his widow, Doreen Hibbert, and family members, as well as friends and well-wishers.

Sunday’s ceremony featured musical tributes from well-known members of the local entertainment fraternity, among them: saxophonist, Dean Fraser; performing arts company, Nexxus; drummer, Bogo Herman; and singer, Demario McDowell.

The tributes also included several medleys of Mr. Hibbert’s vast musical repertoire.

The act of committal was undertaken by Pastor of Fellowship Tabernacle in Kingston, Rev. Merrick ‘Al’ Miller, and Dr. Carlene Davis.

In an interview with JIS News, Minister Grange said Mr. Hibbert stood out as one of Jamaica’s most outstanding singers, songwriters, performers, patriots, and loyalists, while describing him as a countryman “who was true to his roots”.

“He embodies everything that you would look for in a true Jamaican of African descent. You couldn’t find a warmer person, more loving individual, and a better human being,” she shared, noting that Jamaica and the world will miss his unique sound. “His music is a treasure chest. His performance is something else. No-one else can perform like Toots. We have some great artistes, we have some great performers and songwriters. But there is just nobody like Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert… and I will say that over and over and over again without apology,” she added.

Ms. Grange urged his family to honour the name of the cultural icon who has performed outstandingly over the years.

“He loved everyone and his family has a responsibility to show that warmth and appreciation to each other and to others who are not family,” she said.

The Minister commended the medical team at the University Hospital of the West Indies who attended to Mr. Hibbert after he fell ill and was admitted.

“I just want to commend them for all the attention they gave him and all the work that they are doing to keep other Jamaicans alive and to have them survive this COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

Dean Fraser, who spoke with JIS News, described Mr. Hibbert as “one of the real superstars out of Jamaica”.

“His vocal ability was huge… better than the rest; and this is a real loss which can’t be replaced,” he shared.

Rev. Miller said Jamaica has lost an icon who has served Jamaica well, noting that “he means so much to so many of us all around the world”.

“Let us not just look at the loss; it is real, it is part of the journey of life. But remember Toots [as] the daddy, the husband, the brother, the friend who you knew, and remember him for who he is… and give thanks for his contribution to life,” he said

Mr. Hibbert’s group, Toots and the Maytals, which was formed in the 1960s, was pivotal in birthing, shaping and popularising Reggae music.

The group’s 1968 single, ‘Do the Reggay’, was the first song to use the word ‘Reggae’, which led to the genre’s naming and their subsequent introduction of the music form to a global audience. Other popular songs by the group include ‘Monkey Man’, ‘Pressure Drop’, ‘Sweet and Dandy’, and ‘Bam’.  The latter two singles are among the three that propelled the group to the National Festival Song titles during the competition’s formative years, between 1966 and 1972.
The group topped the inaugural competition in 1966, with ‘Bam-Bam’, and replicated the feat in 1969 with ‘Sweet & Dandy’, and 1972 with ‘Pomps & Pride’. Toots and the Maytals returned to the competition, which became their signature stomping ground, 48 years after their last triumph to participate in the 2020 edition with their entry ‘Rise up Jamaica’, which was among the 10 finalists.

Among the other notable accolades the group earned were: the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album with ‘True Love’, while Mr. Hibbert was recognised by the Government in 2012 with the Order of Jamaica for his contribution to Jamaica’s music.

Mr. Hibbert was laid to rest beside another globally-acclaimed Jamaica icon, the undisputed ‘Crown Prince of Reggae’, singer - Dennis Emanuel Brown.

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Kingston, 2 October 2020 - The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, today announced that the Jamaica Gospel Song 2020 Album is now available on international streaming platforms including Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer, Spotify and Amazon Music, as of today Friday, October 2, 2020.

This international release of the Gospel album follows closely on the successful release of the Jamaica Festival Song Album, which peaked at #11 on the iTunes Reggae Album Chart in July. Now lovers of gospel music worldwide will have access to the amazing Jamaica Gospel 2020 Album.

“The moment I heard the songs I knew that they had the potential to go way beyond the competition, and I committed to facilitating the realisation of that vision. I made that commitment to the artistes and today I am proud to say, mission accomplished,” said the Minister.

“The Pandemic presented lots of challenges which affected our usual ways of operation, but we were never daunted” said Minister Grange. “The team at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and at my Ministry decided that the limes thrown our way could be used to make sweet tasting lemonade. We saw the success of the Jamaica Festival Song album on the international scene, and firmly believe that Gospel can reap the same level of success. This approach is giving longer life to the top ten songs and greater exposure to the artistes who have participated” the Minister added.

The Album has been available digitally via pre-order since September 18, 2020, and is being distributed by VPAL Music. Persons wishing to purchase the album may visit the various platforms to stream and download the ten-track set.

The winner of the Competition, Treisha Williams with 'One Dose of the Holy Ghost', was announced on July 26, 2020 during a live nationwide telecast of the event on CVM TV. The songs on the album span many Jamaican music genres with variations and fusions obvious in many of the tracks.

This is the first time that the Jamaica Gospel Song Album, produced by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission as part of the annual Independence celebrations, is being made available digitally, locally and internationally.

The track list of the album is as follows:

 Songs are available here: https://smarturl.it/jamaicagospel2020

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Kingston, 4 August 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that the Jamaican music stars, Shaggy, Marcia Griffiths and Ken Boothe will be honoured during the nation’s Independence celebrations on Thursday.

The three will be presented with Jamaica Reggae Icon Awards at the Independence Spectacular, a virtual edition of the annual Independence Grand Gala, on August 6.

“Covid has forced us to change many things, but it will not stop us celebrating our country and outstanding Jamaicans who’ve been such great role model and inspirations, not only for us, but for the people of the world. It is a great joy to express, on behalf of the nation, our great love and appreciation to Shaggy, Marcia and Ken,” said Minister Grange.

The Independence Spectacular will be held without an audience at the National Arena in keeping with the necessary restrictions on gatherings to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Minister Grange said: “Only the awardees, performers, technical, organising and management teams will be allowed at the venue. However, we have made arrangements for Jamaicans at home and abroad to watch the event live on TVJ and PBCJ and on social media. And it will be a great show.”

The Independence Spectacular will feature presentations in music, drama, song and dance, focused on the theme ‘Wheel and Come Again.’

“Wheel and Come Again is really our aspiration. It is a call to all of us to look at our current circumstances, much of it caused by the pandemic, and to assess, come up with a plan and go again like the resilient and strong Jamaicans that we are,” said Minister Grange.

The event will also feature popular local artistes, including the 2020 Jamaica Festival Song winner, Buju Banton; Kemar Highcon; Beenie Man; Dre Island; Christopher Martin; Tessanne Chin; Wayne Marshall; Kevin Downswell; Kukudoo; Chevaughn; Ikaya; Shereita; and Richie Stephens.

L’Acadco, Dance Xpressionz and Citi Dance Company will also perform on the show which begins at 4pm with the Armed Forces Day Parade and the National Flag Raising Ceremony.

“Each year after the Grand Gala, we would have street parties in major towns across the island, but the reality of covid-19 means we cannot do that this year,” said Minister Grange.

To compensate for the absence of street dances across the island, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission will be hosting an Independence Night Virtual Street Dance, featuring Ricky Trooper, DJ Boom Boom, Collin Hines, DJ Rodrick, Elephant Man, and Jahvinci.

The Virtual Street Dance, from 8pm to midnight, will be broadcast live on TVJ, RETV, PBCJ, FAME 95FM, HITZ 92FM, Radio Jamaica and online.

The Minister thanked the Jamaica Tourist Board, KFC, Main Event Entertainment Group, Chase Fund and TVJ for enabling the 2020 Independence celebrations.

“The celebrations this year are not what we have become accustomed to and we have to make adjustments. But let’s build a vibe, decorate our spaces in the Jamaican colours, display our flag, and celebrate our country. Resilient and Strong, Let’s celebrate Jamaica 58.”

The JCDC will award prizes for the Best Decorated Town Centre, Best Decorated Business Place, Best Decorated Government Office, Best Decorated Private Residence, Best Diaspora Community Celebration, and Best Media Celebration as part of the Spirit of Independence competition.

“I am inviting Jamaicans at home and abroad to celebrate the Spirit of Independence with vibrant and creative displays of the national colours,” said Minister Grange.

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Kingston, 27 July 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated the Reggae star, Buju Banton, on winning the 2020 Jamaica Festival Song competition.

Buju Banton emerged winner of the competition on Sunday (yesterday) with his song titled, ‘I Am A Jamaican’ following a public vote.

Minister Grange said she was happy with the decision to have the public select the winner.

“We put the power to choose the Jamaica Festival Song into the hands of the public and I am happy to see how much Jamaicans warmed to that idea,” said Minister Grange, adding “I am satisfied to see the renewed interest in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition after years of hard work to revitalise our national celebrations.”

The winning song earned a total of J$3 Million in cash prizes to be divided among the singer, writer and producer.

In his first comments after being named winner of the Jamaica Festival Song competition, Buju Banton said:
“I want to congratulate the true winners tonight. Everyone who participated in this competition: you’re all winners. I was happy to share the stage with you all. But for me the true winners tonight are the Sunbeam Boys’ Home.”

Buju Banton will donate his winnings to the Children’s Home.

Papa Michigan of Michigan and Smiley fame placed second with his entry ‘Jamaica Dance’, while the actress and television presenter, Sakina, placed third with ‘We are Jamaica’.

Minister Grange thanked everyone, especially artistes and songwriters, who “played a part in making this year’s Jamaica Festival Song Finals a resounding success.”

According to Minister Grange: “The success of this year’s competition has provided us with the perfect springboard to soar to even greater heights. I anticipate even more exciting times ahead.”

Minister Grange also announced that because of the prevailing health concerns, there will be no Grand Gala this year inside the National Stadium. “To compensate for that and to ensure that we commemorate our independence in fine style, we’ve created a wonderful virtual show – the Jamaica 58 Independence Spectacular, which will be broadcast LIVE on Independence Day from 4pm to 7pm,” said the Minister.

Minister Grange also appealed for public support of the Jamaica Festival Gospel Song competition which will climax next Sunday, August 2. The winner will also be selected by public vote.

The list of finalists for the Jamaica Festival Gospel Song competition and associated voting line follows:

Treisha Williams ‘One Dose of the Holy Ghost’ 876-444-4210
Deon McDonald ‘You Are Real’ 876-444-4211
Sheri-Gaye Johnson ‘I Worship You’ 876-444-4212
Offniel Lamont ‘Forever God’ 876-444-4213
Father Reece ‘Satan Guweh’ 876-444-4214
Euphoria ‘Live Today’ 876-444-4215
Martanek Phipps ‘Ye Who’s Without Sin’ 876-444-4216
Anthony Malcolm ‘I Need You Close’ 876-444-4217
Oliver Ashley ‘No Bargain’ 876-444-4218
David Sutton ‘Our Response’ 876-444-4219

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Kingston, 21 July 2020 – The 2020 Jamaica Festival Song Album titled ‘Jamaica Festival 2020 Song Competition’ is now listed at number 13 on the Apple Music Reggae Album Chart.

“This is great news for our country and for the finalists,” said Minister Grange as she reacted to the news.

The 2020 Jamaica Festival Song album entered the chart at number 15 and has climbed two places to 13. It means that ‘Jamaica Festival 2020 Song Competition’ is among the most popular Reggae albums downloaded on Apple Music (formerly iTunes).

Minister Grange said:
“This is a great achievement. It is historic. It is the first time that we have had songs in the entry stage making it to an international chart. This says a lot about the renewed interest being showed in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition. The fact that we have so many established performers participating has been a tremendous fillip and this should encourage others in the future to see the competition for what it is; one of the oldest professional singing contests in the world.”

‘Jamaica Festival 2020 Song Competition’ features the top ten finalists this year.

Minister Grange has made an appeal to the public, particularly members of the Jamaican Diaspora to download and stream the Jamaica Festival Song album and add it to their playlists. “This will send the album further up the charts.”

In addition to the Apple Music platform, the 2020 Jamaica Festival Song album is also available for download and streaming on Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Tidal.

For the first time the Jamaica Festival Song Competition is being staged as a virtual event due to the necessary restrictions to fight the spread of covid-19. The live performance show of the Jamaica Festival Song competition was broadcast worldwide on Sunday, July 19, and attracted thousands of viewers.

The winner, to be decided by public vote, will be announced this Sunday, July 26, during a live broadcast on TVJ and online to viewers across the world.

Voting lines remain open for the public to choose this year’s winner.

The list of entries and associated voting line follows:

Buju Banton ‘I am a Jamaican’ (876)-444-7701
Xtra Bigg ‘Jamaica a Paradise’ (876)-444-7702
Papa Michigan ‘Jamaica Dance’ (876)-444-7703
Nazzle Man ‘Jamaica Nice’ (876)-444-7704
Shuga 'One People’ (876)-444-7705
Toots & the Maytals ‘Rise up Jamaicans’ (876)-444-7706
Radix OD ‘The Place to Be’ (876)-444-7707
Freddie McGregor ‘Tun up di Sound’ (876)-444-7708
L.U.S.T. ‘Wave Di Flag’ (876)-444-7709
Sakina ‘We are Jamaica’ (876)-444-7710

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