AFTER two days of intense campaigning for the most number of views on the popular music site YouTube for the over 35 entries in the Digicel Legendary Notes song competition, 21-year-old Shaddai Suana has been announced the winner of the competition.

The competition, which asked fans to submit a video of an original piece that was inspired by their favourite legends of the roots, rock or reggae genre, was opened from July 10 to July 18 to online fans.

The telecoms company noted that entries in the competition were very strong, especially when asking fans to submit original songs. According to senior sponsorship and activations manager, Shelly-Ann Curran, “all the entries were amazing, which only cemented the fact that Jamaicans are naturally talented and creative people. This competition has not only helped to bring focus to some of these talents, but importantly, it gave the contestants the opportunity to showcase their talent to be discovered in the music industry”.

Brimming with enthusiasm and excitement, Suana expressed that she’s truly looking forward to performing on the company’s mini-stage this Friday at Reggae Sumfest. Rocking the Digicel YouTube channel with her original song remix of Buju Banton Big It Up — Suana secured hundreds of views from Digicel fans online.

She said: “I am so excited, I can’t believe that I won the Digicel Legendary Notes song competition. Throughout the campaigning period, I was very nervous and when I was announced as the winner on Digicel’s Facebook page — I cried tears of joy.”

Promising to bring a unique sense of tamed talent to the Digicel mini-stage, the winner pointed out that Sumfest patrons can expect a very upbeat, energetic and exciting performance from her come this Friday at Catherine Hall.

An upcoming Dancehall/R&B Singer, Sauna, made her first public appearance in Canada in 2003 at a fund-raising concert that benefitted international medical students from the diaspora. She was also honoured with the best R&B artiste award in 2004 at the Young Canadian Talent Show.

In addition to a chance to perform on the Digicel mini-stage at Sumfest, Sauna also received a special package of two VIP season passes to Reggae Sumfest and all-inclusive accommodation for two in Montego Bay during Sumfest.