ATLANTA – The third Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition (JIIFSC) is scheduled for July 29 at Shiloh High School Theatre in Snellville, Georgia. Garfield McCook, founder and organizer of the event, made the announcement.
Applications officially opened on February 2, with one entry received to date. Entries close on April 30.
McCook, who lives in Atlanta, said 12 semi-finalists will be announced May 15. Fan voting starts the following day and ends June 30.
On July 1, the seven finalists will be announced. The winner is to be selected by a seven-member panel.
McCook, a Kingston-born businessman, is also a recording artist known as Gary G. He started the JIIFSC in 2021 as a replica of the Festival Song Competition that has been a part of Jamaican culture since 1966.
‘Festival’ helped launch the careers of Toots And The Maytals — who won the inaugural show with Bam Bam; The Jamaicans, Desmond Dekker And The Aces and many-time winners Eric Donaldson and Stanley Beckford.
IRIE by New York-based Goddy Son won the JIIFSC last year. Lavie Lujah out of Toronto, Canada took the inaugural event in 2021 with Certified Yardie.
Prize money remains the same, with the winner receiving $8,000, runner-up $4,000, and third place $1,000.
Garfield McCook
“The most satisfying aspect is for JIIFSC to provide a platform for these artists, and to see them execute their talent and assist them propel their musical careers,” said McCook.
