Mark Anthony Myrie, more popularly known to the world as Buju Banton added yet another achievement to his significant musical career as he walked away the winner of the 2020 Jamaica Festival Song Competition on Sunday, July 26.
The competition which saw over two hundred applicants submitting songs for consideration was narrowed downed to ten hopefuls who performed in two in-studio live shows as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Buju Banton was announced the victor with his song entitled “I am a Jamaican”. Papa Michigan and Sakina Deer rounded out the top three with their songs “Jamaica Dance” and “We are Jamaica” respectively. Other competitors that made the top 10 included Freddie McGregor, former festival song winners Nazzle Man and Toots & the Maytals, Digicel Rising Stars alum Shuga and other musicians such as Radix OD, L.U.S.T. and Xtra Bigg.
The winner was decided by the voting public who had the opportunity to select the song that most resonated with them. In his video interview, the Gargamel shared that as an established musician he entered the competition to help raise its level of importance from being a trivial event, taking it back to it being a national cultural experience that everyone looks forward to.
He also urged his fellow musicians to follow in his footsteps and contribute to the festival song competition in the years to come. Buju also stated in his interview his desire for people to learn and know his song more so than winning the competition. Over the years, his repertoire of music has included widely popular hits such as “Not an Easy Road”, “Wanna Be Loved”, “Destiny” and “Till I’m Laid to Rest”
The Grammy award-winning artist was also quick to point out after he was announced the winner of the competition, that the “true winners” were the Sunbeam Boy’s Home who would be the beneficiaries of his victory in the competition.
His winning single can be streamed on all major music platforms. Buju Banton now joins the list of iconic festival winners which include Toots and the Maytals, Eric Donaldson, Hopeton Lewis, Roy Rayon, Tinga Stewart and Nazzleman.
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By: Damion Anglin
Mark Anthony Myrie, more popularly known to the world as Buju Banton added yet another achievement to his significant musical career as he walked away the winner of the 2020 Jamaica Festival Song Competition on Sunday, July 26.
The competition which saw over two hundred applicants submitting songs for consideration was narrowed downed to ten hopefuls who performed in two in-studio live shows as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Buju Banton was announced the victor with his song entitled “I am a Jamaican”. Papa Michigan and Sakina Deer rounded out the top three with their songs “Jamaica Dance” and “We are Jamaica” respectively. Other competitors that made the top 10 included Freddie McGregor, former festival song winners Nazzle Man and Toots & the Maytals, Digicel Rising Stars alum Shuga and other musicians such as Radix OD, L.U.S.T. and Xtra Bigg.
The winner was decided by the voting public who had the opportunity to select the song that most resonated with them. In his video interview, the Gargamel shared that as an established musician he entered the competition to help raise its level of importance from being a trivial event, taking it back to it being a national cultural experience that everyone looks forward to.
He also urged his fellow musicians to follow in his footsteps and contribute to the festival song competition in the years to come. Buju also stated in his interview his desire for people to learn and know his song more so than winning the competition. Over the years, his repertoire of music has included widely popular hits such as “Not an Easy Road”, “Wanna Be Loved”, “Destiny” and “Till I’m Laid to Rest”
The Grammy award-winning artist was also quick to point out after he was announced the winner of the competition, that the “true winners” were the Sunbeam Boy’s Home who would be the beneficiaries of his victory in the competition.
His winning single can be streamed on all major music platforms. Buju Banton now joins the list of iconic festival winners which include Toots and the Maytals, Eric Donaldson, Hopeton Lewis, Roy Rayon, Tinga Stewart and Nazzleman.
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