Abi-D living her childhood dream

When Jamaica's 2025 Festival Song champion Abigail 'Abi-D' Dunstan took the stage at the Outside Lounge in New York, USA, she wasn't just performing her winning anthem, ' Sweet JA' -- she was fulfilling a lifelong dream and carrying the spirit of Jamaica to the world.

From August 29 to 31, Abi-D showcased Jamaica's music and the Festival Song tradition in one of the world's most vibrant entertainment hubs.

The historic Festival Song promotional tour, organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), came just weeks after Abi-D was crowned champion on July 26. It marked a rare, high-profile international platform for a Festival Song winner, shining a bright spotlight on both the artiste and the competition's legacy.

Reflecting on her journey, Abi-D shared that she always dreamed of bringing her God-given talent to the world stage, 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 remembers her first JCDC performance in the National Festival of the Arts Music Competition as an Ardenne High student, singing 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.

The five-day tour kicked off with a bang on PIX 11's morning show, one of New York's leading TV platforms, where her confident rendition of Sweet JA had the studio audience singing along. From there, Abi-D electrified the crowd at the Outside Lounge in Queens before visiting VP Records for a celebratory meet-and-greet.

Reggae matriarch Patricia 'Miss Pat' Chin welcomed the young star with open arms, pledging her support and mentorship. Ardenne High alumni in the diaspora also honoured Abi-D with a special presentation delivered by Clive Blackwood, executive vice-president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

For Abi-D, the experience was deeply affirming. "My biggest takeaway is realising 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 rising star also acknowledged the personal growth she gained from the tour.

"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."

Abi-D hopes her journey inspires young Jamaicans who may doubt themselves. "You are worthy. You are strong enough," she encouraged. "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."