Jamaica Festival Song 2025 Listening Session: Past JCDC Champions React!

Reclaiming Culture Through Rhythm as Jamaica Festival Song 2025 Takes Centre Stage

The Serenity Resource Connector Culture Corner Live Forum, held in partnership with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), delivered a bold and purposeful listening session featuring the top 10 finalists in the Jamaica Festival Song 2025 competition. This powerful format was conceptualized to uplift Jamaican artistry, interrogate the messaging behind each entry, and ignite public engagement around culture as a national priority.

Each song stood as a contribution to Jamaica’s living story — music with mission, voice with vision.

Meet the Cultural Champions Behind the Mic

The conversation was anchored by three powerful voices who continue to influence Jamaican cultural spaces through performance, advocacy and national service:

Trishana ‘TrishMaq’ McBean Clarke — Festival Song 2024 Finalist
Jaida Messam — Jamaica Gospel Star 2024 Winner
Omolora Wilson — Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2024

Each offered bold commentary rooted in national pride, artistic merit, and first-hand knowledge of the JCDC competition landscape.

Full Breakdown of the Top 10 Festival Song 2025 Entries

The reactions to each entry reflected authentic commentary from young cultural leaders who have made their mark through music, ministry, and pageantry. Their feedback addressed everything from musical quality to messaging strength and audience connection.

1. “Come Mek Wi Rally” by Brother C and Jegz

A vibrant track echoing classic mento influences. Built on unity, celebration, and the call to collective progress.

2. “Vision Jamaica” by Jonah

Grounded in purpose, this song delivers a timely appeal for national renewal, prayer, and action.

3. “A Jam Dung Dis” by Jules Clarke

Rich in metaphor and rooted in reggae, the song celebrates Jamaican herbs, culture and heritage with poetic force.

4. “Sweet JA” by Abi D

Soft yet assertive, this melody won praise for its clean vocals and cross-generational appeal.

5. “Naah Leav” by N Rich

An uplifting call to embrace the island life. Immersive scenes of riverside cooking, music, and national pride - choosing Jamaica over migration.

6. “Jamdung” by Loaded Eagle

A high-energy anthem built for mass participation. The signature call and response format gives it instant event value.

7. “Nation Vow” by Askia

Spiritually grounded and vocally rich. Reaffirms faith in Jamaica’s destiny with strong gospel undertones.

8. “Jamaica is Big Big Everywhere” by Christopher Laing

A poetic tribute personifying Jamaica as a beloved muse and national blessing. Confident, reverent, and sonically lush.

9. “Jamaica You Have It All” by Oliver Ashley

An unapologetic celebration of Jamaican greatness. Strong visual storytelling and national branding.

10. “Deh Pon Mi Mind” by Romane

A heartfelt anthem from the diaspora. Speaks directly to those abroad longing to return home.

Audience Favourites and the Most Impactful Entries

While all ten songs added value to the national conversation, three consistently stood out among the panellists:

“Nation Vow” by Askia
“Jamdung” by Loaded Eagle
“Sweet JA” by Abi D

Honourable mentions went to “Jamaica You Have It All” and “Jamaica is Big Big Everywhere”, recognised for their memorable hooks and patriotic storytelling. These entries were praised for their performance strength, lyrical clarity, and ability to connect with Jamaicans across generations.

How JCDC Competitions Build Leaders Not Just Winners

Beyond the music, the forum became a space for testimony. Each guest shared how participating in JCDC programmes helped them grow, lead and influence.

TrishMaq described how her Festival Song 2024 entry, submitted just after a deadline extension, sparked national recognition. The competition strengthened her confidence and affirmed her commitment to gospel music as her cultural lane.

Omolora reflected on returning to the Festival Queen platform after five years. Her eventual win in 2024 confirmed her belief in representing the everyday Jamaican woman with pride and authenticity. She now mentors others while serving as an active cultural ambassador for her parish and beyond.

Jaida spoke passionately about how Gospel Star allowed her to live out her spiritual calling. Her duet with Kevin Downswell, she noted, was a life-changing moment. She affirmed that gospel music and national culture are not separate spaces, they belong together.

These reflections prove what SRC has long advocated. JCDC competitions are more than shows. They are platforms for self-development, spiritual grounding and national leadership.

What’s Next — JCDC Highlights

The cultural calendar is active and expanding. Below are upcoming JCDC signature events worth marking on your calendar:

July 6 — Gospel Star 2025 begins, every Sunday on TVJ and PBCJ at 8 PM
July 12 — Festival Song Presentation Show (national TV broadcast)
August 1 — Event to be announced
August 2 — Miss Jamaica Festival Queen National Finals
August 3 — Jamaica Gospel Star 2025 Finals
August 4 — Mello-go-Roun'
August 5 — Event to be announced
August 6 — Grand Gala Celebration for Jamaica 63

Stay tuned to SRC Culture Corner Live Forum, hosted every first Thursday at 8 PM. Subscribe and follow the movement.

Watch the Full Listening Session with Music, Mission and Commentary

Relive the entire evening of reviews, reactions and reflections.

🎥 Watch the official replay on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/hrz3SmA9OLk

The SRC Closing Note — Culture Is Our Assignment

The Jamaica Festival Song 2025 finalists have made one thing clear. Cultural expression is not a side note in national life. It is central. Each song, each voice, each performance added a layer to the narrative of who we are and who we continue to become.

At Serenity Resource Connector, culture is not content. It is assignment.

We listen with intention. We elevate purpose. We move with mission.

Walk with music. Walk with power. Walk good.