Jamaica Festival Song Winners (1966–2024)

The Jamaica Festival Song Competition is one of the island’s most cherished cultural traditions. For generations, these songs have carried the spirit of the people — their joy, their humor, their struggles, and their pride. Each Festival Song reflects a moment in Jamaica’s story, capturing the heartbeat of the nation through rhythm and melody. They are the soundtrack of independence, the music of community celebrations, and the voice of a people who express themselves boldly and creatively.

From the earliest years of independence, Festival Songs helped shape a sense of national identity. They brought Jamaicans together, whether gathered around a radio, dancing in the streets, or celebrating at community events. The songs were simple, catchy, and full of life — reminders that even in challenging times, Jamaicans could find reasons to sing, laugh, and celebrate.

Over the decades, the competition produced songs that became woven into the cultural memory of the island. Some were playful and humorous, others carried messages of unity and resilience, and many became anthems that still echo through national celebrations today. These songs reflect the changing moods of the nation, the creativity of its people, and the enduring pride Jamaicans feel for their island home.

Listen to each song by clicking this link.

1960s

1966 – The Maytals — Bam Bam

1967 – The Jamaicans — Ba Ba Boom

1968 – Desmond Dekker & The Aces — Music Like Dirt

1969 – The Maytals — Sweet and Dandy

1970s

1970 – Hopeton Lewis — Boom Shaka Laka

1971 – Eric Donaldson — Cherry Oh Baby

1972 – Toots & The Maytals — Pomps and Pride

1973 – Morvin Brooks — Jump In The Line

1974 – Tinga Stewart — Play de Music

1975 – Roman Stewart — Hooray Festival

1976 – Freddie McKay — Dance This Ya Festival

1977 – Eric Donaldson — Sweet Jamaica

1978 – Eric Donaldson — Land of My Birth

1979 – The Astronauts — Born Jamaican

1980s

1980 – Stanley & The Turbines — Come Sing With Me

1981 – Tinga Stewart — Nuh Wey Nuh Betta Dan Yard

1982 – The Astronauts — Mek Wi Jam

1983 – Ras Karbi — Jamaica I’ll Never Leave You

1984 – Eric Donaldson — Proud to Be Jamaican

1985 – Roy Rayon — Love Fever

1986 – Stanley & The Turbines — Dem A Fe Squirm

1987 – Roy Rayon — Give Thanks and Praise

1988 – Singer Jay — Jamaica Land We Love

1989 – Michael Forbes — Stop and Go

1990s

1990 – Robbie Forbes — Island Festival

1991 – Roy Rayon — Come Rock

1992 – Heather Grant — Mek Wi Put Things Right

1993 – Eric Donaldson — Big It Up

1994 – Stanley & The Astronauts — Dem a Pollute

1995 – Eric Donaldson — Join De Line

1996 – Zac Henry & Donald White — Meck We Go Spree

1997 – Eric Donaldson — Peace and Love

1998 – Neville Martin — Jamaica Whoa

1999 – Cheryl Clarke — Born Inna JA

2000s

2000 – Stanley Beckford — Fi Wi Island A Boom

2001 – Roy Richards — Lift Up Jamaica

2002 – Devon Black — Progress

2003 – Stefan Penincilin — Jamaican Tour Guide

2004 – Stefan Penincilin — Ole Time Jamaica

2005 – Khalil N Pure — Poverty

2006 – Omar Reid — Remember the Days

2007 – Neville “Gunty” Winters — Woman A Di Beauty

2008 – Roy Rayon — Rise and Shine

2009 – Winston Hussey — Take Back Jamaica

2010s

2010 – Kharuso — My Jamaica

2011 – Everton David Pessoa — Oh If We

2012 – Abbygaye Dallas — Real Born Jamaican

2013 – No competition held

2014 – Rushane Sanderson — I Love JA

2015 – Lee‑Roy Johnson — Celebration

2016 – Oneil “Nazzle Man” Scott — No Weh Like Jamaica

2017 – No competition held

2018 – Oneil “Nazzle Man” Scott — Jamaica A Wi Home

2019 – Raldene Dyer — Loaded Eagle

2020s

2020 – Buju Banton — I Am a Jamaican (Festival Song entry winner)

2021 – Stacious — Jamaican Spirit

2022 – Sacaj — Nuh Wey Nice Like Yard

2023 – Slashe — Best in the World

2024 – Kimiela “Candy” Isaacs — One Jamaica

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