Pepita Little revives musical passion, makes Festival Song Competition finals
Published:Saturday | June 29, 2024 | 10:53 AMRollesha Laing/ Assistant Lifestyle and Entertainment Editor
Pepita Little is no stranger to the media and entertainment space. Her love for entertainment began in childhood, performing alongside the Fab 5 band during Christmas concerts at her school, Wolmer’s Preparatory. She continued to explore her artistic passions at Holy Childhood High School, joining the choir and drama clubs and participating in various JCDC competitions. A little over a decade ago, Little gave the public a taste of her music with songs like, Deja Vu and Loud,but, outside of that, she didn’t take it any further as, at the time, she believed her pursuit wasn’t received well. Fast-forward to 2024, the media personality has dusted off her goal to pursue a music career, having entered the Jamaica Festival Song Competition with the song We are Jamaicans, allowing her to secure a spot as a finalist.
“I decided to enter the competition this year because I always had a passion for singing. It’s something I’ve loved since I was younger, and I wanted to showcase my talent to Jamaica and to do something significant like write a nice song that would make people feel good.” Little told The Gleaner.
Noting that nothing happens before its time, two years ago, Little was approached in her home town of Port Royal by long-time friends and music producers Collin ‘Bulby’ York and Anthony ‘Red Roze’ Cameron, with what she considered a surprising proposal.
“They (York and Cameron) came to Port Royal and told me that they wanted me to enter the Festival Song Competition, and we sat there on the beach and we wrote the song. It was so out of the blue, because I haven’t seen them in a while and they told me that they were just coming to Port Royal to eat some fish, but later that day I found myself writing, ” Little recalled while laughing, but she didn’t enter that year.
With the intent to write a nice song that would showcase the beauty of the island, Little wanted to let Jamaicans feel included, focusing on our blessings. She also took it as an opportunity to ‘big up’ her little town.
“I hear the people in my community playing the song at the shop and that was a thrilling experience, especially because I included them in the song. They’ve always complained that, whenever people mention them and talk about them, it’s just as the place weh sink!”
TOP OF THE LIST
Having a music career is still on Little’s top lists of things to achieve, and she says she sees a space for the type of music she’d like to create.
“I want to create music that highlights love, positivity, a bit of social commentary, and an overall rootsy and cultural vibe. My dream is to tour Switzerland, Europe and so on. I’ve songs that I’ve written that I plan to release after the competition.”
As a woman who does not confine her gifts to a box, Little is also a trained screenplay writer, an accomplishment she achieved in 2022 through the completion of the UWI Community Film Project (UWICFP). She has even more creative passion to share with the world as she “gets lost in the arts”.
“I love acting. There is a movie that is currently at the Toronto Film Festival called Behind Closed Doors, produced by Yaad Boiiz Film Productions, where I play a supporting role as Shanika. So people can look out for that. I also wrote a movie called Ancestral Love for one of my mentors from the UWICFP, Eka Campbell, who wants to enter it into some film festivals. So we’ll see where that goes. I dont want to be a ‘Jack (Jill) of all trades and master of none’, but I do believe I am really good at all of these things,” Little shared, continuing, “Everything I’ve been through have brought me to these moments where I believe it’s my time to shine. So I’m saying to myself ‘You’ve made it this far, you’ve cleaned up your character and your meds’, so now it’s time.”
Sharing a scripture that keeps her going, Little referenced Psalm 91.
“I try to remember this scripture because, if I find myself going out of character or reacting in a manner that is not becoming of who I want to be, I remind myself that I need to dwell in the secret place of the Most High – a place of righteousness, positivity, and goodness,” she adds.
THE 2024 JAMAICA FESTIVAL SONG COMPETITION FINALISTS:
1. Auraiya Hope ( Proud Jamaican)
2. Sister Novelette ( Fi Mi Island Home)
3. Renzzah ( Waa Back Jamaica)
4. TrishMaq ( Jamaica is a Big Brand)
5. Lex M.D ( Jah Love this Land)
6. Kimiela ‘Candy’ Isaacs ( #One Jamaica)
7. Reggae Maxx ( Better Jamaica)
8. Trisstar ( Jamaica Jamaica)
9. Pepita ( We are Jamaicans)
10. Casey Donaldson ( Sweet Jamaica)
Public voting started on June 27 and will close on the evening of the results show on July 13 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. Details on how to vote can be found on JCDC’s social media platforms.