Nine finalists take stage at 2026 Jamaica Festival Song Presentation Show

Nine finalists of the 2026 Jamaica Festival Song Competition took the stage on Saturday, July 11, at the Louise Bennett Garden Theater for the annual Presentation Show, broadcast live on PBCJ.

The contestants first delivered songs of choice, then returned with their original festival entries. Organisers said the winner stands to take home $3 million in cash and prizes. Culture Minister Olivia "Babsy" Grange was among those welcomed at the event.

Salomon Walters, known as Brother C, a Clarendon farmer and last year's runner-up, performed "Jamaica War." Beverly Henry, billed as Boia, sang "Jamaica Pond App." Elton Erlington of St. Andrew, a 2016 Digicel Rising Star winner and lead singer of the Fire band, delivered "Proud of Jamaica," written by his friend Pelifier.

Tristar, from Greenland in Hanover, presented "I Am Jamaican," saying she entered in 2024 but was unable to reach the finals then. Orlando Levy, 38, a music teacher and producer, offered "Jamaica School Bingling." Lady Jazz performed "Jamaica Happy Island," her first time advancing this far after repeated entries.

Latanya Stamp, known as Songbird, sang "My Jamaica Land of Festival," introduced to her by manager Carlton Derby. Aba Jones presented the humorous entry "Teeth for Me." D Burns closed with "I Love Jamaica," written with three friends.

Judges named on the night included chief judge Roy Rayon, producer Smart Kid, Paul Henton, Jim Myers and Judith Bodley. Also acknowledged were Portland Custos Lincoln Thaxter and Mrs. Thaxter, Howard Shearer, son of former prime minister Hugh Lawson Shearer, and JCDC commissioners Orville Hill, Sylvester Castro, Dennis Archer and Navled Howell.

Voting opened after the performances by text, on Flow or Digicel platforms, and through the Reggae Jamaica mobile app. Jamaicans in the diaspora may vote only via the app. The Festival Song Results Show is set for Saturday, July 25, at the Randy Williams Entertainment Center, airing live on TVJ from 8:30 p.m.