Today, the top 10 finalists in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) Festival Song Competition will compete for the title and $1 million.

The finalists are Nathan, Chris Christy, Oba Simba, CC Blake, Tinga Stewart, Lester Lewis and Singing Rose, Stacia, Winston Hussey, Calvin McFarlane, Jacqueline Pennant and Pretty Rebel.

The finalists were selected from a process that began in December. JCDC made a call for entries and received more than 300 applicants from across the island. From that total, 15 contestants were selected.

similar traditional sound

However, most of those entries had a similar traditional sound and the competition was reopened as a result. With this, came more diversity from the other contestants. Eight entries were selected to compete alongside the previous 15 at the semi-finals, which was held on May 18.

The 10 finalists were featured on a series of road shows.

The JCDC will be selecting a song for the 2009 Independence Celebrations that, while invoking a spirit of celebration, has international appeal and relevance beyond the festive period.

The finals will be held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, starting at 8 p.m. The admission is $600 for adults and $200 for children.

The 10 finalists spoke with The Sunday Gleaner recently and told us what their song represents.

Name: Winston Hussey

Occupation: Singer

Favourite past festival song: Bam Bam by Toots and the Maytals

Song title: Take Back Jamaica

My song represents: "We woulda love fi see Jamaica go back to what we grow up and see as youths. It's that joy and upliftment deh weh Jamaica lack."

Name: Jacqueline Pennant

Occupation: Singer and hairdresser

Favourite past festival song: Land of My Birth by Eric Donaldson

Song title: Persistence

My song represents: "No matter how hard things look, you should keep trying until you get what you want."

Name: Oba Simba

Occupation: Singer and songwriter

Favourite past festival song: Cherry O Baby by Eric Donaldson

Song title: Feel the Pressure

My song represents: "What the people are feeling right now, the economical pressure that we are under. But although we are under this pressure, we are still staying strong as Jamaicans."

Name: Tinga Stewart

Occupation: Singer

Favourite past festival song: Baba Boom by The Jamaicans

Song title: Make the Best of Today

My song represents: "Even in this crisis, we have to make the best of today because you don't know what tomorrow will bring."

Name: Calvin McFarlane

Occupation: Pastry chef

Favourite past festival song: Land of My Birth by Eric Donaldson

Song title: Jamaica Nuff Niceness

My song represents: "Hope. Because of the happenings around the world, it shows that opportunities still exist."

Name: Lester Lewis and Singing Rose

Occupation: Ministers and musicians

Favourite past festival song: Come Down by Toots Hibbert

Song title: I Love You Jamaica

My song represents: "I have travelled to over 30 nations and I could have lived anywhere in the world, but I decided to stay here and contribute to Jamaica...to bring life, healing and deliverance to Jamaica. That is what my song represents."

Name: Chris Christy

Occupation: Software engineer

Favourite past festival song: Give Thanks And Praises by Roy Rayon

Song title: Jam Rock Land of the King

My song represents: "This generation's interpretation of festival."

Name: Stacia

Occupation: Fashion designer

Favourite past festival song: Give Thanks And Praises by Roy Rayon.

Song title: Love Jamaica

My song represents: "All the goodness of Jamaica, supporting patriotism and just love for your country."

Name: C.C. Blake

Occupation: Manager of Rescue TV.

Favourite past festival song: Cherry O Baby by Eric Donaldson

Song title: Love A Likkle Island Ya

My song represents: "Our people, the beauty and the harmony of our country, the food, our culture and our lands. We have the most beautiful scenery."

Name: Nathan

Occupation: Musician

Favourite past festival song: Cherry O Baby by Eric Donaldson

Song title: The Vibes

My song represents: "A peace of mind. The will to know that we hustle and do what it takes to make it and rise above the circumstances. But even while you out there and it is hard, it's having the peace of mind to know that everybody is in it, so why not smile."