Two previous winners go for their second title in the fourth Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition (JIIFSC) which takes place on July 27 at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia.

Lavie Lujah out of Canada and Ohio-based Leon “Letonick” Denton won the competition in 2021 and 2023, respectively with Certified Yardie and Jamaican in Mi.

Seven finalists are competing for first prize of US$8,000 and a trophy.

Garfield McCook, founder and lead organiser of the JIIFSC, told Observer Online that his team have selected another strong field.

“Based on the high quality of the songs, the judges will definitely have a challenge in choosing a winner. The themes are along patriotic lines. A major criteria is that the song must have relevance to Jamaican culture,” he said.

The finalists and their songs are: Deondra (Jamaica Land My Home), Dona V (Sweet Jamaica), Michael Stewart (In Jamaica), Lavie Lujah (Being A Jamaican is Cool), The Tennors (Come Celebrate), Ernel Earlington & Doxology (Jamaica Nice), and Leon LeTonick Denton (Unda Half Way Tree).

This year’s winner will also perform at the Atlanta Jamaica Association Ball on August 10. Runner-up will receive $4,000 and a trophy, while third place earns $1,000.

McCook, an Atlanta-based Jamaican businessman, started the JIIFSC three years ago as a Diaspora version of the popular Festival Song Competition in Jamaica which was first held in 1966. Since its inception, it has attracted contestants from Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Germany.