Popular song contestants hopeful of winning
published: Sunday | July 18, 2004

Germaine Smith, Staff Reporter

THE CONTESTANTS in this year's Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Popular Song Competition have been part of a whirlwind tour, which has taken them through all 14 parishes.

The public has seen their faces and heard the variety of songs which they have penned. The Sunday Gleaner canvassed their views on the effect the reformed competition has been having on them, and what they think their chances of winning are.

Roland Kennedy (Sugar Slick)/Song: The Sweetest

"Everything has been good so far. I am definitely getting a vibe with this competition. The vibes are just right for me now. When we go to the islandwide shows the vibe is just right with all of us."

About winning: "My winning is up to the fans. I know that my tune sounds OK already; that's why it made the top 10 already. It talks about a special love between a man and a woman and it is OK, but ultimately it depends on the fans."

Jermaine Johnson (Stretch)/Song: Work Harder

"I have found it quite different. Everybody is showing love to the point where it does not seem like we are in a competition. It is so friendly on the road."

About winning: "Based on how things have been going I feel like a winner already. I am confident that I am going to win, but even if I don't win I am still happy."

Stavan Whyte (Stefan Penincilin)/Song: Ole Time Jamaica

"There has been nothing bad about being in this competition; everything has been going fine so far. It's like JCDC put pure first cousins in the competition, because everybody live so good. With the contestants it is like a family thing ­ one big promotion, no competition."

About Winning: "My chances are very good. We have 10 songs, but everybody have 10 different energy. The winner will be the one who just gets the little edge over the others."

Bryden Wilkins (Bescenta)/Song: World In Trouble

"It has been great on the road with the others, just like one big family thing. The minute we all sat down as a group, it's been a family since that. How I am feeling is really encouraged by the calls and the response people give me on the street."

About Winning: "To be honest, I am just going to do the work. My pay is coming from the Almighty already, so we will just continue to do the work with the songs."

John Walker (J. Lee)/Song: Sunshine

"To me it is like it's not a competition. It has been good up to now. Just the tour alone stands out in my mind now. We are all great singers with good tunes and the people have been responding well to us... The competition is putting out some young artistes and we needed that.

About winning: "I don't know, but I can say I have a good chance of winning, based on the votes so far and the calls I have been getting. I had some doubts before entering, but I see where I have a fair chance like everyone else. Everybody has their own hype in this competition."

Desmond Boyd/Song: Economic Revolution

"It has been all good so far. Mi couldn't pay for an islandwide tour like this, so mi haffi give nuff respect to JCDC."

About winning: "My song is a winner. Even if it does not come out as a winner in the competition it speaks the truth, and the truth is always a winner."

Jason Gilpin (Romeojae)/Song: If Only I Knew

"It has been a great experience, because I would never take up myself and say I am travelling across Jamaica. Because of it I know Jamaica a little bit more."

About winning: "That is a very good question. It is a tough competition right now, with some good songs right now, so we can't say if I will win or not."

Philip Watkis/Song: Bless Our Souls Jah

"It has been tremendous, because JCDC has made me see my country with these tours.

With the contestants it's like a family thing, so it doesn't feel like a competition."

About winning: "Let me put it this way. Seeing that I am a part of the top 10 already, we are all winners so far. Because of that, I can't speculate right now.

Anthony B/Song: Tax Man

"Mi really enter fi encourage other popular entertainers to enter and get the show more popular. In our field (dancehall) there are no shows like these, where a mother, father and children can go together.

About winning: "Mi not even enter with the winning attitude, but more for the conservative approach... To know that Anthony B is in the Popular Song Contest will get people excited and want to come out."