Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange said there has been a strong response to the 2023 Jamaica Festival Song Competition.

According to Grange, there was a “flood of quality entries in the competition” this year.

The judges had selected 12 finalists, including the recording artiste Anthony B. However, Anthony B is now on tour and has had to withdraw.

Grange thanked broadcasters for their support of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition over the years and is encouraging them to “give as much airplay as possible to the finalists, so that the public will get to know the songs and be able to choose their favourite”.

The 2023 Jamaica Festival Song will be selected by a combination of judges’ scores and public vote.

The winning song will be selected following two televised shows on July 6 and 29 on TVJ and PBCJ.

There’s a prize of $3 million for the winning entry to be shared among the producer, the writer and the singer.

The finalists are Slashe, Best in The World; Mento Tones, Jamaica Mi Born & Grow; Av&ante, Jamaica a Mi Yaad; Lady Denna & the Whole Note Mento Band, Little Paradise; Hot Rod, More Love; Shuga, Dancing Same Way; N-Rich, Sovereignty; Princess Black, Big up Mama Ja; Prince Fabulous, No Weh Like Yard; Eric Donaldson, Reggae Jamaica and Exco Levi, Feel like Home.