Comedian and recording artiste Slashe (formerly known as Iceman) was declared the winner of the Jamaica Festival Song competition on Saturday night, July 29 at the National Arena with the patriotic ‘Best in the World’. The song, which was produced by Donovan Germain, beat 10 other entries for the title and a cash prize of $3 million.
Germain is also the producer of the songs by the second and third-placed winners, former Digicel Rising Stars winner Shuga (Dancing Same Way) and multi-JUNO Award winner Exco Levi (Feel Like Home).
SECOND ATTEMPT
Slash Celebrates with his trophy 2023 Festival song winner
This was Slashe’s second time competing in the competition. He first competed as Iceman in 2004.
There was a total of ten contestants. Eric Donaldson – Reggae Jamaica; Lady Denna & The Whole Note Mento Band – Little Paradise; Prince Fabulous – No Weh Like Yard; Mento Tones Jamaica; Mi Born and Grow; Shuga – Dancing Same Way; Av&TE Jamaica Ah Mi Yaad; Hot Rod, More Love; Exco Levy, Feel Like Home; Slashe, Best In The World and Princess Black, Big Up Mama JA.
The Contestant not only get the bragging right of best festival song winner, but he also took home a trophy and 3 million Jamaican dollars.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange, at the competition’s launch, praised the selection committee, led by producer/label boss Gussie Clarke, who chose the qualifying entries.
“The… selectors did an excellent job, as well as the entrants themselves who chose songs which reflect the diversity of our culture and the variety that our genres always offer,” she said.
The ten finalists were selected from more than 200 entries by a selection panel led by veteran music producer Augustus “Gussie” Clarke. Minister Grange thanked the panel for their work and expressed joy for what she called a “flood of quality entries” this year.
