Ernel Earlington Seeks to Defend Crown at Fifth Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition

The fifth Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition (JIIFSC) takes place July 26 in Snellville, Georgia with Ernel Earlington and Doxology back to defend their crown.

Ernel EarlingtonLike last year, they have six rivals for the top prize of $8,000 and a trophy. Their entry this year is If yuh Love Jamaica sey Yes, a Ska number that laments the uncertainty among immigrants in the United States.

Earlington, who lives in Atlanta, wrote and produced the song.

 “I touched on a scary topic for most foreigners. It’s about what’s going on in this country with the government, but at the end of the day, Jamaica is still home if push comes to shove,” he said.

The singer/musician, who made his recording debut in the late 1980s, is the leader of Doxology which has multiple members including his daughter Otavia. Last year, they won the JIIFSC with Jamaica Nice.

Dr. Garfield McCook, a Jamaican businessman who lives in Atlanta, started the event in 2021. Inspired by the long-running Festival Song Contest in Jamaica, it is open to Jamaicans in the Diaspora.

“This is a great opportunity for us in the Diaspora, because it does give us a chance to be heard, and to be seen, as a matter of fact. I’ll always be grateful for the JIIFSC for the work and effort that they put out to make this a success,” said Earlington. 

The other competitors in this year’s JIIFSC are Chawlih Crux out of Washington DC, Dion Knibb from Boston, Lisa Blackford, representing Virginia, IJAHKNOWAH and Lee “Priest” Johnson who are also based in Georgia, and Tania Lou from Canada.

Runner-up will receive $4,000 and a trophy, with third place collecting $1,000.