Eight acts advance to JIIFSC semi-finals in Georgia showdown
There are eight semi-finalists for the sixth Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition (JIIFSC), which is scheduled to conclude on July 25 in Snellville, Georgia.
Among them is Lee “Priest” Johnson, who won the 2025 edition with Jamaica ina mi Blood. He represents Georgia.
His entry this year is One Of A Kind.
Florida has two representatives in D Mack (Jamaica is The Place) and Owen Silvera (I Wouldn’t Change A Thing).
Canada is represented by five Jamaicans who live in that country. They are Ammoye (A Yard, which features Lord Sassafrass); Clement Gordon (Granny); Tyson Knight (Jamaica is A Woman); Derrick Watson (All Jamaicans); and Horace Martin (Awake).
Completing the semi-finalists are Peter Positive out of Pennsylvania with Love mi Yard and Richardo “Bringle Faya” Amos, who represents Italy with Woii.
Dr Garfield McCook, founder and organiser for the JIIFSC, told Observer Online that there were initially 15 entries. Five judges and online voting will determine the finalists who will be announced on July 1.
The winning artist will receive US$8,000. Runner-up gets US$4,000 and third place US$1,000.
Based on Jamaica’s long-running Festival Song Competition, the JIIFSC was first held in 2021. The contest was won by Canada-based Lavie Lujah with Certified Yardie.
