After placing third in the 2023 Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition (JIIFSC), Ernel Earlington was not keen to compete in it this year. The singer had a change of heart, and alongside harmony quartet Doxology, won the event last Saturday with Jamaica Nice at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia.

It was the fourth staging of the contest which was founded by Garfield McCook, an Atlanta-based Jamaican businessman.

Earlington, who wrote and produced his song, won US$8,000 and a trophy. Finishing second was Lavie Lujah out of Canada with Being A Jamaican is Cool, while third went to Ohio-based Leon “Letonick” Denton with Unda Half Way Tree.

Lavie Lujah and Denton won the competition in 2021 and 2023, respectively with Certified Yardie and Jamaican in Mi. Lavie Lujah was awarded $4,000 and a trophy while Denton took home $1,000.

Earlington, who lives in Snellville, felt he won last year with Jamaica mi Born And Grow. He feels vindicated with Jamaica Nice.

“Last year, I felt like I had it, but it wasn’t so. I was weary about entering this year but Mr Wesley Graham (an influential figure in Atlanta’s Jamaica Diaspora) encouraged me to enter,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Earlington was born in Kingston but raised in rural St Andrew where he attended Oberlin High School. For most of his career, he has recorded inspirational songs; 1991 saw the release of Come To The Light, his only album.

Earlington’s father, Elijah Earlington, was a guitarist who played with singer Bobby Aitken while his nephew Elton Earlinton won the 2016 Digicel Rising Stars contest. His younger brother, Christopher Earlington, won the Tastee Talent Contest.

There were seven contestants in the 2023 JIIFSC. Deondra (Jamaica Land My Home), Dona V (Sweet Jamaica), Michael Stewart (In Jamaica) and The Tennors (Come Celebrate), completed the field.

McCook started the JIIFSC 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.