When Jamaica’s 2025 Festival Song champion, Abigail “Abi-D” Dunstan stepped onto the stage at the Outside Lounge in New York, she was not just performing her winning song Sweet JA, she was also living a childhood dream and carrying Jamaica’s story to the world. From August 29 to 31, Abi-D proudly showcased Jamaica’s music and the Festival Song tradition in one of the epicentres of global entertainment.
The historic Festival Song promotional tour, organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), came just weeks after Abi-D was declared the winner on July 26. It marked the first time in recent years that a Festival Song champion was given such a high-profile international platform, shining a well-deserved spotlight on both the artiste and the competition’s legacy.
Reflecting on her journey, Abi-D said she had this dream that one day she would get an opportunity to take her God given talent to the world, and the JCDC made it happen. “I have pictured myself doing this since I was a little girl because the arts have always been a passion of mine, regardless of what form it took,” she said. She fondly recalls her first JCDC performance in the National Festival of the Arts Music Competition as a student at Ardenne High, where she sang a duet with her best friend. “Even though we never went on to nationals, it was a great feeling that left me wanting more,” she added with a smile.
The five-day tour kicked off on a high, with a spirited performance on one of New York’s leading TV platforms - PIX 11’s morning show, where her confident rendition of Sweet JA had the studio audience singing along. From there, Abi-D brought her electrifying energy to Queens, performing at the Outside Lounge before heading to VP Records for a celebratory meet-and-greet. There, reggae matriarch Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin welcomed the young star, pledging her support and mentorship. Ardenne High alumni in the diaspora also honoured their fellow alumna with a special presentation delivered by Clive Blackwood, Executive Vice-President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
For Abi-D, those moments were deeply affirming. “My biggest takeaway is realizing how powerful music really is, not just in Jamaica but internationally,” she said. “When I performed ‘Sweet JA’ in New York, as soon as I sang certain Jamaican phrases, the crowd lit up and shouted, ‘Pull up!’ I had to repeat the lines multiple times. People were waving their flags, reeling off lines, and joining in with so much excitement. I repeated the chorus, and the entire audience proudly sang along. That moment reminded me that the Jamaican patois isn’t just a language, it is part of who we are as Jamaicans. It connects us, no matter where in the world we are.”
The fast-rising star admits the experience also gave her a personal boost. “I have gained a new level of confidence, not just in performing but also in speaking, because I am not really a talker,” she shared. “It showed me that not only can my music speak, but I can too.”
That message of growth is one she hopes will inspire Jamaican youth, especially those who may doubt themselves. “You are worthy. You are strong enough,” she said. “I was in that same place, doubting myself and wondering if my dreams were too big to accomplish. But I believed in myself, worked hard, and trusted the process.”
Abi-D’s success stands as a compelling testament that the JCDC’s impact as a talent incubator is alive and well. She pointed out that she is proud to be a part of a journey, which also served as a platform for some of Reggae’s greats, including Bob Marley, Rita Marley, Cat Coore, Joe Higgs, Toots Hibbert, Eric Donaldson, and Roy Rayon.
She hopes her journey encourages other young performers to take advantage of the opportunity. “I am glad I had this experience. It has already exceeded all my expectations and the year has only just begun. Asked if she would recommend others enter the Festival Song Competition, her response was immediate: “Of course. I encourage young artistes all across Jamaica to enter the competition. The exposure it offers to aspiring Artistes is second to none.”
With Sweet JA as her anthem and Jamaica’s black, green, and gold flying proudly beside her, Abi-D has stepped into the international spotlight with confidence and grace. Her story is proof that dreams born on a school stage or in a community competition can grow to captivate audiences across the globe, particularly with the JCDC by your side.
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