Eighteen singers will go head to head in the Gen-Y Factor: District Battle Edition Semi-Finals Knockout Round on Saturday, May 6.

The semi-finalists, all between the ages of 15 to 29, will take the stage at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Campus at 7:00 p.m. for a chance to secure a spot in the final competition.

Director for the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye said that working with the singers has been an enlightening and thrilling experience.

Mrs. Lettsome-Tye said, “This particular competition has such a warm and supportive air to it. Yet, the singers recognise how competitive this competition is and feel safe enough to put themselves out there. At the end of the day, all we want is for these individuals to learn and grow from the opportunity and develop themselves as performers in a way that they couldn't in any other environment."

This year, the semi-finals competition will be open to the public with a $9.00 entry fee.

Mrs. Lettsome-Tye said, “We’ve decided to open this year’s semi-finals competition to the public so that individuals can attend the event and support their respective electoral districts and favourite competitors.”

Mrs. Lettsome-Tye added, “In addition to this, we have decided to add a feature which allows for judges to save two additional deserving singers.”

Mrs. Lettsome-Tye said that she is confident that this feature will add a bit more excitement and anticipation to the show and that she looks forward to hearing all the contestants battle it out on May 6.

The district battle semi-finalists are Malvern Wyke and Kathlyn Archibald-Drew representing District 1; Jade Hodge and Matthew Murray representing District 2; Shauna-Kay Miller and Kevonnah Polluck representing District 3; Dailia Lambert and Essynce Evans representing District 4; Abigail Christopher and Lebritnie Legair representing District 5; Jamori Blaize and Janae Estridge representing District 6; Lorenzo Thomas and Lonisha Darlington representing District 7; Zabdiel France and Dominique Cole representing District 8; and Jaani Rickets and Kadijah Roberts representing District 9.

The official Gen-Y Factor Talent Showcase and Competition provides local performers with the opportunity to share their talent with the public and will be held on June 17 at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall in Road Town.

The winner of the competition will receive monetary awards; an original song written and produced by Grammy Award nominated producer, Andrew ‘Drusky’ Scott, plus free legal consultancy services from award winning Entertainment Attorney, Natasha Cobham, for the duration of the contract; a free recording session with HomeGrown Studio; ambassadorial duties for telecommunication provider and event sponsor, Digicel; and many other prizes.

For more information, persons should contact the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports at 468-4949.

Photo Caption

1. Official Poster for the Gen-Y Factor: District Battle Edition Semi-Finals Knockout Round Competition.