‘I Love Jamaica’ by dBurnz is the winner of the 2026 Jamaica Festival Song Competition and will anchor celebrations for next month’s 64th anniversary of Independence this year.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, presented dBurnz with the grand prize of J$3 million along with the winning trophy at Saturday’s Grand Finale at the Ranny Williams Centre in St. Andrew. The Clarendon native, whose given name is Melbourne Douglas, also won the sectional prize for Best Performer, taking home an additional $200,000.

Music educator Ovando Levy secured the second spot with his entry ‘Jamaica School (Bingi Ling)’, walking away with $600,000, while Aba Jones placed third with ‘Teet A Fi Me’, receiving $300,000. Chief Judge and veteran festival song winner, Roy Rayon, noted that the winning song should embody the spirit and celebration of independence.

“The festival song is supposed to be the pulse, the metronome of the independence celebrations so we are looking for a song that dances, a song that has lyrics that are relevant, a song that the entire population can coalesce around,” Rayon said.

Minister Grange commended all nine finalists for their outstanding efforts saying, “I want to big up all nine contestants and say to them it has been a good experience for you so even if your song is not the winning song, you are still a winner.” She said the momentum will carry into 2027, which will be a milestone year for Jamaica’s independence, as the country will mark 65 years.

Reflecting on the 60-year history of the Festival Song Competition, Minister Grange said “It has been a wonderful journey and has exposed many Jamaican talents.” Past contestants included reggae icons, Bob Marley and Rita Marley.

Organised annually by the Ministry through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the Festival Song Competition serves as a cornerstone of the national independence festivities leading up to Independence Day on August 6. 

The grand finale also featured a guest performance by Reggae artiste, Duane Stephenson. Jamaica is observing 64 years of Independence this year under the theme: ‘United in Celebrating Resilience’.