2020 Jamaica Gospel Song Top Ten Finalists Chosen

The 2020 Jamaica Gospel Song Competition has selected its top ten finalists, who will compete at the competition’s grand final during the national Independence celebrations in August. The anointed top ten were chosen from the top 26 semi-finalists from across the island at the competition’s semi-final concert, held on Ash Wednesday, February  26 at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston.

2020 Jamaica Gospel Song Top Ten Finalists Chosen 1
The Jamaica Gospel Song Competition 2020 top ten finalists (left to right): Martanek Phipps, Nadine Torey, Deon McDonald, Euphoria group (four members), Offneil Lamont , Oliver Ashley , David Sutton , Father Reece, Sheri-Gaye Johnson and Treisha Williams.

The chosen finalists are Deon McDonald of St. Mary with God You Are Real, Father Reece of St. Catherine with Satan Gu Weh, David Sutton of St. Elizabeth with Our Response and  Sheri-Gaye Johnson of Clarendon with I Will Worship.  Raining from the parish of Manchester are Nadine Torey with Ambushed and the Euphoria group with Live Today. Hailing from St. James are Oliver Ashley with No Bargain and Treisha Williams with One Dose of Holy Ghost. Kingston and St. Andrew will be represented by Martanek Phipps with Ye Who’s Without Sin and Offneil Lamont with Forever God.

“This year’s impressive crop of semi-finalists each brought something extra to the competition in their own unique and specially anointed way; it was difficult for the judges to select the best ten,” said Andrea McCurdy, Events Coordinator, National Religious Services & Projects at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission(JCDC).

“The finalists will now begin preparation for their journey to the finals which will include voice, music and industry-based developmental workshops, recording the finalists’ album and performances and outreach across the island,” She continued.

McCurdy further stated that the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition facilitates the growth of its participants in the Gospel music industry and continues to provide opportunities both locally and internationally for persons who have entered, even those who were not the winner on the final night. 

The Jamaica Gospel Song Competition since its inception in 1987 has since become an iconic presentation of indigenous gospel music in Jamaica. It attracts over 200 artistes, producers and writers of original gospel music each year. This competition is also seen as another avenue for the unearthing and growth of writers, and vocalists through training with the best within the industry.