Entertainment

CHUCK FENDER TALENT SEARCH COMPETITION

By TOUSSAINT SMITH, Staff Reporter

Oba Simba, left, and Chuck Fender. - Toussaint Smith Photos

THE LYRICS OF contestants participating in the Fifth Element 'Conscious Lyrics Competition' blared through the Gleaner Company's Sports Club last week Thursday as seventy contestants vied for the chance to record a song with Fifth Element.

Several persons, including curious onlookers, flocked the venue. From flagmen clad in red, green and gold, to supporters blowing horns and chanting 'Rastafari', the talent contest set out to a great start.

The contest started at approximately 6 p.m. with each of the participants being given a minute to perform an original song. Contestants were judged in three categories ­ originality, delivery and creativity.

The contestants had the chance of bringing their own rhythm to perform their song or select any rhythm from the sound system, Jamrock, who provided the music.

There were several good performances from persons such as Peta-Gaye Garvey, Andrew Kiffin, Wayne Cooper and Leon Brown.

However at 8 p.m. after all the contestants had performed the judges declared the ten finalists which included Peta Gaye Garvey, Andrew Kiffin, Oba Simba, Omar Davis, Henry Bell, Anthony Green, Leon Brown, Mark Hemmings, Damion Black and Wayne Cooper.

Eventually the winner of the competition turned out to be Oba Simba, a man armed with a guitar who, while perched on a stool, played gracefully and charmed the judges.

Runners up were Peta Gaye Garvey and Anthony Green who won a chance to perform at Chuck Fender's Birthday Bash on June 19th. Simba on the other hand, who won the overall competition, also won a chance to record a song with Fifth Element and to perform at Chuck Fender's Birthday Bash.