Talisa Taylor, project manager for Dancehall Week, is encouraging dancers and disc jockeys/sound system selectors from across the island to enter the Rep Yuh Parish competition.

To ensure that all talents get a chance, the auditions have been extended to November 29.

“Jamaica has a wealth of talent and, oftentimes, these talents are overlooked simply because they do not have the platform. We want to be able to create a platform for them to be able to make a name for themselves. I implore people who are extremely talented in the area of dance, whether individually or in a group, or those who are selectors, to showcase their best effort. This is an opportunity for you to make a name for yourself and represent not just your parish, but Jamaica,” Taylor told the Jamaica Observer.

Applicants may submit a clean, one-minute video along with their name, age, parish being represented, and TikTok handle to repyuhparish@dancehallweek.com by the deadline. The videos will be uploaded to Dancehall Week’s official TikTok page upon submission. The entries with the most interaction will be announced as semi-finalists on November 30.

Those who advance to the semi-final round will compete in Kingston on December 14.

Finalists will compete on March 1, 2025 at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre during Dancehall Week.

The best individual dancer will receive $500,000, while the best dance group and best selector/ DJ will also walk away with $500,000, respectively.

Adding that entries have already been received, Taylor reiterated that organisers extended the audition deadline to accommodate more contestants.

The project manager further said that through this competition more Jamaicans will be incorporated into Dancehall Week’s festivities, thereby promoting inclusivity.

“We had a sound system clash in the very first staging of Dancehall Week earlier this year, and we realised that we were showcasing talents that were already established within the dancehall industry. We wanted to give other persons, who have not made a name for themselves, the opportunity to be able to shine and showcase their craft. In addition, during the very first staging of Dancehall Week, there was a lot of emphasis on Kingston, so we decided that this was a great way to reach out to talents from all parishes,” Taylor said.

Dancehall Week, slated for February 23- March 2, 2025, is officially a part of the Reggae Month celebrations, promising to be a landmark event that not only entertains but also educates and inspires both new and long-standing fans of dancehall culture.