They include Linoleum White with Sweet Little Paradise, Michael Barnett (Gi Mi Mi Sweet Jamaica), Delisser McFarlane (Quiet Oonuself), Leroy Roberts (Love Mi Jamaican), Carol Ann Mitchell (Jamaica Too Sweet), 2008 finalist Clevon Edwards (Eat What You Grow), Collebert Blake (Love A Little Island Yah), Christopher Christie (Jamaica Land of the King), Francis Hamilton (Ole Time Sumting), Philbert Graham (Sweet Jamaica) and Uriah Walker (Jump Around Festival 2K9).

Also making the cut is popular entertainer Joan Andrea Hutchinson with Abay, Stacia Davidson (Love Jamaica), Monty Montgomery (It's Time Again), Eric White (Mi Nah Run Lef Jamaica), Joshua Rowe (Jamaica Nuff Niceness), Owen Barrett (My Jamaica) and Gregory Reid (Jamaica Mi Love Unno).

Completing the list are Ahton James (Jamaica Weh Wi Live), Howard Reid (Weather) and comedian/songwriter Winston 'Bello' Bell with Take Back Jamaica.

All the semi-finalists will be heard by the public and a panel of judges at the elimination show, scheduled for the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, from which the top 10 songs will be selected. Chairman of the Festival Song Committee, Vernon Derby, has indicated that the competition will have a revised format this year, allowing the public to choose the winning song.