O’Neil Scott, better known as ‘Nazzleman’, won the 2016 and 2018 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Festival Song Competition and in 2020 he is back again on the hunt for the title. This time around, things are a little different, as Nazzleman is among a line-up of established reggae acts, rather than the up-and-coming artistes who have been the entrants in the competition. But this is the very challenge that has made 2020 a defining year for the singer.
“I feel great so far. I’ve been getting a lot of highlight this year, rubbing shoulders with some great artistes and musicians. In former years, it was a lot of young acts, and that was okay, but I have to say that the bigger artistes are giving the competition a real boost,” an appreciative Nazzleman said.
He pointed out, however, that there has been some backlash from some quarters, owing to the calibre of acts listed among the top 10. “People say that these artistes have their money already, and should give others a chance. But, it’s all good. I feel like I am a winner already,” the two-time winner stated confidently.
Nazzleman is delighted at the interest in the competition and, as the Jamaican saying goes, what fall pon head run down pon shoulder. “The more professional artistes have fans right across the world and they are tuning in to not just them, but the other contestants as well, so everybody is getting more exposure,” he stated.
His entry, which is titled Jamaica Nice, has a traditional Festival Song feel, with a bit of dancehall thrown in the mix. Nazzleman feels that he definitely has the winning formula, and makes no secret of the fact that he is in the competition to be victorious. “ I am getting a great, wonderful feedback for my song. I am smiling now because the comments are so good. Over the years, we used to do the roadshows but because of the COVID-19 this year that was abandoned and everything went online. But we still have a Sumfest line-up and the feedback on social media is that the people are loving it,” Nazzleman shared.
The other nine finalists in this year’s competition are Buju Banton; Freddie McGregor; Toots & The Maytals; Papa Michigan; LUST; Odonald ‘Radix OD’ Haughton; Sakina Deer; Shuga and William ‘Xtra Bigg’ Nembhard. They will all perform this evening and again next week Sunday, July 26, when the competition comes to an end.
Nazzle Man joined two other winners who have had back-to-back victories. Eric Donaldson won in 1978 and 1979 with Sweet Jamaica and Land of My Birth. The feat was repeated in 2003 and 2004 by Stefan Penicillin with Jamaica Tour Guide and Ole Time Jamaica. After next Sunday, he may just emerge from that category into the elite three-time winner’s circle.