The Jamaica Independence Festival is a celebration of
Jamaica
Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...
's
independence
Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the statu ...
, a status gained in 1962.
History
The festival was initiated in 1962 by then Minister of Community Development (and later Prime Minister)
Edward Seaga
Edward Philip George Seaga ( or ; 28 May 1930 – 28 May 2019) was a Jamaican politician. He was the fifth Prime Minister of Jamaica, from 1980 to 1989, and the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party from 1974 to 2005. and to celebrate "things Jamaican". The festival was considered integral to national development as a way of giving Jamaicans a sense of who they are, and what their history and culture is all about. The festival was scheduled for the first Monday in August, to coincide with the
holiday
A holiday is a day set aside by custom or by law on which normal activities, especially business or work including school, are suspended or reduced. Generally, holidays are intended to allow individuals to celebrate or commemorate an event or tra ...
to celebrate both independence and emancipation. The festival includes agricultural exhibitions, and street parades, climaxing in a grand gala at Kingston's National Stadium. Supporting events take place all over the island. A formal organizing group, the Jamaica Festival Commission was established by an act of parliament in 1968, which became the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) by another parliamentary act in 1980. Today, the administrative structure includes a large volunteer-base with a JCDC officer appointed to oversee activities in each parish. The festival now includes the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Contest, a national
Mento
Mento is a style of Music of Jamaica, Jamaican folk music that predates and has greatly influenced ska and reggae music. It is a fusion of African rhythmic elements and European elements, which reached peak popularity in the 1940s and 1950s. ...
band competition, and a
gospel song
Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...
competition.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Popular Song Competition (before 1990 known as the Independence Festival Song Competition), which first took place in 1966, and has been won by artists such as
The Maytals
The Maytals, known from 1972 to 2020 as Toots and the Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group, one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music.
...
,
Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 – 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the earlie ...
,
Freddie McKay
Freddie McKay (sometimes Freddy McKay) (1947 – 19 November 1986) was a Jamaican singer, whose career spanned the rocksteady and reggae eras.
Biography
McKay, born in Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica, is regarded as one of the most soulful s ...
, and
Eric Donaldson
Eric Donaldson (born 11 June 1947 in Bog Walk, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter. He originated in Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
Biography
Born in Kent Village, about 2 miles from Bog Walk, Donaldson first recorded for Studio One ...
.
Popular Song Competition
The Popular Song Competition has taken place since 1966, with the winners as follows:
*1966 -
The Maytals
The Maytals, known from 1972 to 2020 as Toots and the Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group, one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music.
...
with "Bam Bam"
*1967 - The Jamaicans with "Ba Ba Boom"
*1968 -
Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 – 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the earlie ...
& The Aces with "Music Like Dirt (Intensified '68)"
*1969 -
The Maytals
The Maytals, known from 1972 to 2020 as Toots and the Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group, one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music.
...
with "Sweet and Dandy"
*1970 -
Hopeton Lewis
Hopeton Lewis (3 October 1947 – 4 September 2014) was a Jamaican born singer of rocksteady and reggae, an arranger, and radio music presenter.
Biography
Lewis was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He sang in church from an early age, and start ...
with "Boom Shacka Lacka"
*1971 -
Eric Donaldson
Eric Donaldson (born 11 June 1947 in Bog Walk, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter. He originated in Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
Biography
Born in Kent Village, about 2 miles from Bog Walk, Donaldson first recorded for Studio One ...
with "Cherry Oh Baby"
*1972 -
Toots & the Maytals
The Maytals, known from 1972 to 2020 as Toots and the Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group, one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music.
...
with "Pomps and Pride"
*1973 - Morvin Brooks with "Jump In The Line"
*1974 -
Tinga Stewart
Tinga Stewart (born Neville Stewart, c.July 3 1950, Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae singer. Stewart won the Festival Song Contest three times, twice as a singer and once as a songwriter.
Biography
Stewart's career began in the late 1960s, his f ...
with "Play de Music"
*1975 -
Roman Stewart
Roman Stewart, also known as Romeo Stewart and 'Mr. Special' (born 11 May 1957, Kingston, Jamaica, died 25 January 2004, New York City) was a reggae singer.Gopie, Donovan (2004) "Popular reggae singer Roman Stewart dies", Caribbean Net News Ste ...
with "Hooray Festival"
*1976 -
Freddie McKay
Freddie McKay (sometimes Freddy McKay) (1947 – 19 November 1986) was a Jamaican singer, whose career spanned the rocksteady and reggae eras.
Biography
McKay, born in Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica, is regarded as one of the most soulful s ...
with "Dance This Ya Festival"
*1977 -
Eric Donaldson
Eric Donaldson (born 11 June 1947 in Bog Walk, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter. He originated in Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
Biography
Born in Kent Village, about 2 miles from Bog Walk, Donaldson first recorded for Studio One ...
with "Sweet Jamaica"
*1978 -
Eric Donaldson
Eric Donaldson (born 11 June 1947 in Bog Walk, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter. He originated in Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
Biography
Born in Kent Village, about 2 miles from Bog Walk, Donaldson first recorded for Studio One ...
with "Land of my Birth"
*1979 -
The Astronauts
''The Astronauts'' ( Polish: ''Astronauci'') is the first science fiction novel by Polish writer Stanisław Lem published as a book, in 1951.
To write the novel, Lem received advance payment from publishing house Czytelnik (Warsaw). The book b ...
with "Born Jamaican"
*1980 - Stanley & The Turbines with "Come Sing With Me"
*1981 -
Tinga Stewart
Tinga Stewart (born Neville Stewart, c.July 3 1950, Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae singer. Stewart won the Festival Song Contest three times, twice as a singer and once as a songwriter.
Biography
Stewart's career began in the late 1960s, his f ...
with "Nuh Wey Nuh Betta Dan Yard"
*1982 -
The Astronauts
''The Astronauts'' ( Polish: ''Astronauci'') is the first science fiction novel by Polish writer Stanisław Lem published as a book, in 1951.
To write the novel, Lem received advance payment from publishing house Czytelnik (Warsaw). The book b ...
with "Mek Wi Jam"
*1983 -
Ras Karbi
Ras or RAS may refer to:
Arts and media
* RAS Records Real Authentic Sound, a reggae record label
* Rundfunk Anstalt Südtirol, a south Tyrolese public broadcasting service
* Rás 1, an Icelandic radio station
* Rás 2, an Icelandic radio statio ...
with "Jamaica I'll Never Leave You"
*1984 -
Eric Donaldson
Eric Donaldson (born 11 June 1947 in Bog Walk, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter. He originated in Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
Biography
Born in Kent Village, about 2 miles from Bog Walk, Donaldson first recorded for Studio One ...
with "Proud to be Jamaican"
*1985 -
Roy Rayon
Roy Rayon (born 20 June 1959) is a Jamaican singer who has won the Jamaica Independence Festival The Jamaica Independence Festival is a celebration of Jamaica's independence, a status gained in 1962.
History
The festival was initiated in 1962 b ...
with "Love Fever"
*1986 - Stanley & The Turbines with "Dem a fe Squirm"
*1987 -
Roy Rayon
Roy Rayon (born 20 June 1959) is a Jamaican singer who has won the Jamaica Independence Festival The Jamaica Independence Festival is a celebration of Jamaica's independence, a status gained in 1962.
History
The festival was initiated in 1962 b ...
with "Give Thanks and Praise"
*1988 - Singer Jay with "Jamaica Land We Love"
*1989 - Michael Forbes with "Stop and Go"
*1990 - Robbie Forbes with "Island Festival"
*1991 -
Roy Rayon
Roy Rayon (born 20 June 1959) is a Jamaican singer who has won the Jamaica Independence Festival The Jamaica Independence Festival is a celebration of Jamaica's independence, a status gained in 1962.
History
The festival was initiated in 1962 b ...
with "Come Rock"
*1992 - Heather Grant with "Mek wi Put Things Right"
*1993 -
Eric Donaldson
Eric Donaldson (born 11 June 1947 in Bog Walk, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter. He originated in Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
Biography
Born in Kent Village, about 2 miles from Bog Walk, Donaldson first recorded for Studio One ...
with "Big It Up"
*1994 - Stanley & The Astronauts with "Dem a Pollute"
*1995 -
Eric Donaldson
Eric Donaldson (born 11 June 1947 in Bog Walk, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter. He originated in Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
Biography
Born in Kent Village, about 2 miles from Bog Walk, Donaldson first recorded for Studio One ...
with "Join de Line"
*1996 - Zac Henrry & Donald White with "Meck We Go Spree"
*1997 -
Eric Donaldson
Eric Donaldson (born 11 June 1947 in Bog Walk, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter. He originated in Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
Biography
Born in Kent Village, about 2 miles from Bog Walk, Donaldson first recorded for Studio One ...
with "Peace and Love"
*1998 - Neville Martin with "Jamaica Whoa"
*1999 -
Cheryl Clarke
Cheryl L. Clarke (born Washington DC, May 16, 1947) is an American lesbian poet, essayist, educator and a Black feminist community activist who continues to dedicate her life to the recognition and advancement of Black and Queer people. Her schol ...
with "Born Inna JA"
*2000 -
Stanley Beckford
Stanley Beckford (1942–2007) was a Jamaican born Mento singer, songwriter, and four time Jamaica Independence Festival song contest winner who recorded as a solo artist and with the bands The Starlights/Starlites, Stanley and the Turbines, ...
with "Fi Wi Island A Boom"
*2001 - Roy Richards with "Lift Up Jamaica"
*2002 - Devon Black with "Progress"
*2003 - Stefan Penincilin with "Jamaican Tour Guide"
*2004 - Stefan Penincilin with "Ole Time Jamaica"
*2005 - Khalil N Pure with "Poverty"
*2006 - Omar Reid with "Remember the Days"
*2007 - Neville 'Gunty' Winters with "Woman A Di Beauty"
*2008 -
Roy Rayon
Roy Rayon (born 20 June 1959) is a Jamaican singer who has won the Jamaica Independence Festival The Jamaica Independence Festival is a celebration of Jamaica's independence, a status gained in 1962.
History
The festival was initiated in 1962 b ...
with "Rise and Shine"
*2009 - Winston Hussey with "Take Back Jamaica"
*2010 - Kharuso with "My Jamaica"
*2011 - Everton David Pessoa with "Oh if We"
*2012 - Abbygaye Dallas with "Real Born Jamaican"
*2013 - The competition was not held in 2013
*2014 - Rushane Sanderson with "I Love JA"
*2015 - Lee-Roy Johnson with "Celebration"
*2016 - Oneil Scott with "No Weh Like Jamaica"
*2017 - The competition was not held in 2017
*2018 - Oneil 'Nazzle Man' Scott with "Jamaica A Wi Home"
*2019 - Raldene Dyer with "Loaded Eagle"
*2020 - Buju Banton with "I am a Jamaican"
*2021 - Stacious with "Jamaican Spirit"
*2022 - Sacaj with "Nuh Weh Nice Like Yard"
Kharuso is Mr Festival; collects historic $1m cheque from Claro , ''
Jamaica Observer
''Jamaica Observer'' is a daily newspaper published in Kingston, Jamaica. The publication is owned by Butch Stewart, who chartered the paper in January 1993 as a competitor to Jamaica's oldest daily paper, ''The Gleaner''. Its founding editor i ...
'', 1 August 2010, retrieved 2011-07-16
In 2004, in a move to widen the genre of entries submitted, the JCDC announced a $1 million grand prize to be shared among songwriter, singer and producer of the winning entry. By 2010 the prize had risen to a million dollars and a car.
In 2008, the JCDC announced that the Jamaican Festival Song Competition title would return, running in parallel with the Popular Song Competition, hoping that the previous title would re-create feelings of celebration among Jamaicans at Independence time.