Sacaj, the only female participant in the Jamaica 60 Festival Song Competition, defeated her male rivals with the song “Nuh Weh Nice Like Yard,” a crowd favorite, and won $3 million in cash.
The National Indoor Sports Center in Kingston served as the venue for the event.
I am a Proud Jamaica by Magic Flute came in second, while Defend Jamaica by Nitty Kutchie—whose album had received support from A-list performers like Bounty Killer and Buju Banton—came in third.
The producer, writer, and vocalist each receive a share of the $3 million grand prize.
The other finalists were Rory Stamp, by Intrestt (Rock to da Beat), Nazzle Man (Out Of Many), One1 (Sixty), Dez I Boyd (Jamaica Sweet Again), by Intrestt (Rock to da Beat), Inspiyah (Jamaica Nice Again), and by Intrestt (Rock to da Beat) ( Bring Back The Love).
Sacaj tilted the scales in her favor with a forceful performance in which she exited the platform and moved between the aisles and even persuaded a male audience member to get up from his seat. Sacaj was wearing a stylish green outfit that was complemented by black pants and bright yellow sneakers.
She sang, “If yu proud ah yu place, buss a blank,” to loud applause.
The program was broadcast live on Television Jamaica (TVJ), the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ), as well as on the JCDC website, YouTube channel, and the Minister of Culture’s and the Culture Ministry’s Facebook pages.
Jamaica celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, or 60th anniversary of independence, this year with the slogan “Re-igniting A Nation for Greatness.”
