Top is Lee Priest Johnson, middle, left to right are Ernel Earlington, Tania Lou, Lisa Blackford, bottom row left to right, IJAHKNOWAH, Dion Knibb, Chawlih Crux.
June 5, 2025
The final of the fifth Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition (JIIFSC) takes place on July 25 in Snellville, Georgia with seven artistes vying for the top prize of US$8,000 and a trophy.
Among the contestants is Ernel Earlington and Doxology, who won last year’s edition with Jamaica Nice. Their entry this year is If yuh Love Jamaica seh Yes.
Dr Garfield McCook, the event’s founder and lead organiser, is satisfied with its growth.
“I’m pleased that the JIIFSC is gaining recognition worldwide as our goal continues to be, to provide a platform for artists of Jamaican descent in the Diaspora to showcase their musical talent during the Jamaica Independence Celebrations. Our hope is to garner sponsors as life partners,” he said.
The 2025 JIIFSC field is completed by Chawlih Crux out of Washington DC; Lisa Blackford (representing Virginia), IJAHKNOWAH (Georgia), Lee “Priest” Johnson (Georgia), Anya McDonald (Florida) and Tania Lou from Canada.
Runner-up will receive $5,000 plus a trophy with third place awarded $1,000.
Eager to replicate the success of the Festival Song Competition in Jamaica, McCook, a Jamaican entrepreneur based in Georgia, started the JIIFSC in 2021. Open to artistes in the country’s Diaspora, it has attracted prospects mainly from the United States and Canada.\
Lavie Lujah, originally from St Elizabeth and a longtime Toronto resident, won the inaugural contest with Certified Yardie. In 2022, the winner was IRIE by GoddySon out of New York, with Ohio-based Leon “Letonick” Denton winning in 2023.
– Howard Campbell