Home to roots reggae artiste I-Wayne and the popular Vybz Kartel-led Portmore Empire, in addition to Portmore-based recording artistes such as Warrior King and Gyptian, the city of Portmore has earned a well-deserved reputation as the home of burgeoning talent.

It is therefore fitting that Digicel Rising Stars hosts its fourth audition for the 2008 season tomorrow in the Sunshine City, at the Portmore Heart Academy, located a short distance from the Portmore Mall.

Portmore has consistently produced a host of talented and successful entertainers who add to the vibrant musical landscape. It is for this, and other reasons that the show's production team says this weekend's audition is expected to be one the best for the season.

"Portmore was selected as an audition location because it's one of the fastest developing municipalities nationwide. There was always a missing gap between audition locations; because if you were from St Catherine, then you'd have to journey to Kingston for auditions," said Patria-Kaye Aarons, public relations manager at Digicel. "A lot of talent has come out of Portmore, so we're confident that we're going to have a good audition."

Contestants are encouraged to come out in their numbers and jump at their chance to showcase their talent to Jamaica, for the opportunity to become the next Digicel Rising Star.

This year's winner will receive $1 million, the opportunity to release two singles and a music video. The first runner-up will receive $600,000 and a single, while the second runner-up is set to receive $400,000 and a single.

Digicel Rising Stars is open to anyone over the age of 16, who is not currently signed to a management or recording contract and is a citizen of Jamaica or has a visa entitling them to enter and work in Jamaica. At the auditions, participants may either perform individually or in groups of up to six. Participants who are unsuccessful at one audition location have the option of auditioning at another location, since there are six audition dates this year.

After Portmore, Digicel Rising Stars will move on to the Hibiscus Lodge Hotel in Ocho Rios on May 24; and will end in Kingston at the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) on May 31.

Caribana — music, revelry and wild abandon

Bounty Killer and patriotism

Despite glitches, Stars 'R' Us delivers