At just 20 years old Abigail Dunstan has created history. She turned back a good field to emerge winner in the Festival Song Competition 2025 with her song “Sweet Ja”.

The little dynamo put on a spectacular show to walk away with $3 million in cash. And she’s not even pinching herself because she had the confidence that she could do it and so history has been made on many fronts. For starters she is the youngest female to have won the competition and one of only a handful of females to have taken the top prize.

Abi D, as she’s known on stage said she was watching the Festival Song Competition over the years and felt inspired to enter. “I’ve been watching over the years and I wanted to enter to talk about Jamaica and get some recognition.“I am representing myself as a young upcoming artiste and also to represent Jamaican music and share my own music. Many see the Festival Song Competition as one for older individuals but I wanted to show that there is strong youth interest and I hope that my win will inspire more young people to get involved.”

 Abi D who is the writer of the song says the song came about from humming a melody. She then decided to put lyrics to it and then sent it to producer Evad Campbell who worked his magic and weaved it into a winning single. This Abi D’s first released single.

“My friends were excited for me and they supported me from the beginning. This win means a lot The win is not just about me but a win for everyone who believed. This will get more young people interested. As a young female it will inspire more youth to enter and live the experience.”

Was she daunted by the prospects of competing against seasoned veterans? “I was not concerned. I backed myself because I knew I had the talent and it was just a matter of execution. I kinda expected it. I had confidence that I could make it to the top-tier. As I went through the competition, from spot performances to the road shows I could feel it swelling and I knew something good was going to come.”

 Abi D hails from Angels in St. Catherine and attended Ardenne High School.

 She was no stranger to JCDC competitions as she had many encounters with Ardenne High in the Festival of the Performing Arts.

Ardenne has emerged winner of the Marcus Garvey trophy for many consecutive years and has been known to produce extraordinary talent. “Many of the foundation principles we learn in school I applied as I went through the competition. It took discipline and I was able to apply myself and I got the desired result.”

 As far as her prize money goes she plans to invest in her music career and start a little business.

 “I will be creating gospel and reggae along with some R&B. I will be looking to take it internationally. I want to say a huge thank you to all who supported me.”

 Second place went to Brother C and Jegz with “Come Mek Wi Rally” while the third place was copped by former winner Loaded Eagle with “Jamdung”.

  The Jamaica Festival Song Competition was first staged in 1966, as a means of showcasing the musical talents which exist in Jamaica.

 It is the longest running original song contest in the island.

 The Competition has become a showground for both professional and aspiring artistes, songwriters, and producers to highlight their talents.

 Each year the competition aims to identify a new and original song that reflects the spirit of the Jamaican people.

 Seasoned acts such as Toots and the Maytals, Eric Donaldson, Desmond Decker, Roy Rayon, Buju Banton, and Stanley Beckford have all been winners of the competition.

 The competition involves public voting alongside the judges' decisions, allowing the Jamaican public to play a direct role in selecting the winner.

 Many of the winning songs have become anthems in Jamaican culture, often played during national celebrations and events.

 Eric Donaldson holds the record for the most wins, having won the competition seven times with hits like "Cherry Oh Baby" (1971) and "Land of My Birth" (1978).

 While male artists have historically dominated the competition, it's worth noting the achievements of the six previous female winners:

1992 - Heather Grant with "Mek wi Put Things Right"

1999 - Cheryl Clarke with "Born Inna JA"

2012 - Abbygaye Dallas with "Real Born Jamaican"

2021 - Stacious with "Jamaican Spirit"

2022 - Sacaj with "Nuh Weh Nice Like Yard"

2024 – Kimiela “Candy” Isaacs with “#OneJamaica”