The Jamaica Observer continues its reflection on the year in entertainment. This daily column looks on the achievers, trendsetters, those who died, and the controversies.

LAST month, producers of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall ended the talent contest after an 11-year run.

Executive Producer Mark Kenny said he was proud of what the show had done for local entertainment.

“I prefer to end on a high note and make way for something new to ensure what we bring to the viewers is always fresh,” he said in a release.

Kenny urged dancehall fans to reflect on how the show evolved over the years and look forward to a new Magnum programme in 2019. He did not share any details of the project.

Over the 11 years, the competition spawned 22 winners. The most prominent of them is 2015 Magnum King Devin di Dakta who was part of the Grammy-nominated album Sly and Robbie Presents … Reggae For Her.

Other entertainers who competed on Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall include: Tanto Blacks, Rygin King, Jah Bouks, Specialist, Innovator, Pink Boss, Kalado, Gaza Kim, Deep Jahi and Stylishh.

Title sponsor Magnum Tonic Wine said the company is happy to be part of the 11-year journey and was willing to partner with Kenny on upcoming projects.

“We are very pleased with the successes of Magnum Kings & Queens of Dancehall over the last 11 years,” said Telecia Lindo Johnson, marketing manager at Magnum Tonic Wine.

Launched in 2007, Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall was not without controversy.

In 2016, resident judge Khadine “Miss Kitty” Hylton and Yanique “Barrett were embroiled in a verbal on-air spat while viewers, judges and contestants watched.

The year before, the inclusion of dancehall selector/disc jockey Foota Hype as a guest judge made tabloid and social media headlines. At the time, he was involved in a much-publicised feud with the show’s resident judge Cordell “Skatta” Burrell.