Kimiela ‘Candy’ Isaacs’ song “#One Jamaica” has claimed the top spot in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition.
The announcement was made recently at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College.
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Isaacs was chosen as the winner through a combination of votes from a panel of judges and public voting.
Out of the 10 finalists, Isaacs, who is visually impaired, was one of six women to make it to the final of this year’s competition, marking the highest female representation in the contest’s nearly 60-year history.
Isaacs has a notable history with Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) competitions, having secured second place in the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition in 2009 and being a finalist in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition in 2021.
Other notable finalists in this year’s competition included Miss Hanover Festival Queen 2023 Tricia ‘Trisstar’ Cunningham with “Jamaica Jamaica,” and media personality Pepita Little with “We are Jamaicans.”
Isaacs will receive a share of the $3 million cash prize, which is divided among the winning song’s performer, songwriter, and producer.
The other finalists in this year’s competition included Auraiya Hope with “Proud Jamaican,” Sister Novelette with “Fi Mi Island Home,” TrishMaq with “Jamaica is a Big Brand,” Lex M.D. with “Jah Love this Land,” Renzzah with “Waa Back Jamaica,” Reggae Maxx with “Better Jamaica,” and Casey Donaldson with “Sweet Jamaica.”
