‘Candy JA’ by Abigail ‘Abi-D’ Dunstan has emerged because the winner of the 2025 Jamaica Competition Music Competitors.
The winner was introduced through the outcomes present at Emancipation Park in St. Andrew on Saturday (July 26).
‘Candy JA’ was chosen by way of a mix of votes from a panel of judges and the general public.
Minister of Tradition, Gender, Leisure and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, offered the Jamaica Competition Music Trophy to Ms. Dunstan, whose successful entry additionally earned the $3 million money prize.
The award will likely be shared equally amongst Ms. Dunstan, the songwriter, and the producer, in recognition of their collaborative achievement.
Second place was copped by Brother C and Jegz for his or her entry ‘Come Mek Wi Rally’, whereas third place went to Raldene ‘Loaded Eagle’ Dyer for ‘JamDung’. Brother C and Jegz additionally received the Finest Performer class.
Chief Decide, Owen Brown, famous that the competitors attracted over 160 entries from gifted Jamaicans islandwide.
“After a meticulous choice course of, our panel of skilled musical professionals chosen the highest 10 finalists… [who] had been evaluated on originality, lyrical energy, cultural relevance, manufacturing high quality and total efficiency,” he mentioned.
The remaining finalists on this 12 months’s competitors included: Askia Livingstone – ‘Nation Vow’; Romane Ingram – ‘Deh Pon Mi Thoughts’; Oliver Ashley – ‘Jamaica You Have It All’; Jonah Jack – ‘Imaginative and prescient Jamaica’; Jules Clarke – ‘A Jam Dung Dis’; Christopher Laing –‘Jamaica is Huge Huge In every single place; and Randeen ‘N-Wealthy’ Thomas – ‘Naah Go away’.
Throughout the reside present, attendees had been entertained by Reggae icon, Richie Spice; 2024 Competition Music winner, Kimiela ‘Sweet’ Isaacs, who carried out her successful entry – ‘#One Jamaica’, and the 2025 finalists, every performing their competitors entry alongside their favorite previous Competition Music. The night additionally featured a blinding drone present.
Since 1966, the Jamaica Competition Music Competitors has been cemented within the panorama of Jamaican music tradition and, immediately, is the longest operating authentic track contest within the island.
The competitors has turn out to be a showground for aspiring artistes, songwriters and producers to showcase their abilities, and goals to establish a brand new and authentic track every year that displays the spirit of the Jamaican individuals.
The occasion is organised by the Ministry of Tradition, Gender, Leisure and Sport by way of the Jamaica Cultural Growth Fee (JCDC).
