Wayne Williams
Wayne Williams, is one of the top three finalists from the Ocho Rios leg of the 2008 Digicel Rising Stars competition.
Wayne Williams entered the Digicel Rising Stars competition three times. In the first year, he entered as a member of the group Secrets, then re-entered on his own the following year. In both instances, his dream of becoming the next winner was dashed.
He is back again and is confident that this is his year to shine.
"People on the road think that I have the ability to sing. I want to get some exposure because I really love music," he said.
The 19-year-old past student of Bog Walk High School in St Catherine, says he is a cricket and track and field enthusiast and believes that the competition is the perfect vehicle to highlight his talent.
Williams, who performed a rendition of 'Just as I Am', describes himself as an easy-going people-person who loves to have fun.
"I'm very easy to get along with; a cool individual. Somebody you can sit and talk with if you have any problems. I'm just an all-rounded guy."
An assistant clerk at a pharmacy, Williams writes his own songs and believes that he has a lot to offer to the competition and by extension, the music industry.
"Jamaica should vote for me because I know I have the potential to be the next Rising Star. I'm unique, I feel like I can bring something new to the drawing board. I want to bring my flavour to the competition. That is, spontaneous music, music that people can really enjoy."
Cameal Davis
Cameal Davis is one of the top three finalists from the Ocho Rios leg of the 2008 Digicel Rising Stars competition.
Twenty-two-year-old Cameal Davis believes that her ability to choose the right songs will put her one step ahead of the other contestants in the Digicel Rising Stars competition.
"What makes me different is my choice of songs. I choose songs that are ancient; songs that have been around for a long time."
Performing Wade in the Water, a song that has been around since the mid 1800s, Davis has moved one step closer towards the grand prize.
Davis is not new to the competition since this is her third time entering. She says the desire to showcase her talent is what motivates her to keep coming back.
"I wanted to enter one last time to show Jamaica that I am talented and that I am a singer and that I can sing very well," she said. "I'm a go-getter, I am a leader."
A customer service representative and songwriter, Davis says she has a number of expectations for the competition.
"My main hope is that I will win, but if not, just getting in the top 10 or in the final three. I've been singing out there for a while, but I'm just now getting to show my talent," she said.
She is confident that if selected, she will deliver great performances.
"Jamaica should vote for me because I have the talent, I will not disappoint them and I will choose the right songs. I have a philosophy that I go by, and that is, 'I am good as any and better than many'. It doesn't matter who you are, I think of myself as being equal and even better," she said. "Once you believe in yourself you can do whatever you want to."
SLR
SLR, is also another of the top three finalists from the Ocho Rios leg of the 2008 Digicel Rising Stars competition.
Singing a medley of popular hits, Anna-Share Blake, Latoya Colman and Roshauna Dennis proved to Jamaica that they are as good as any other contestant in the Digicel Rising Stars competition.
The 16-year-old students from the group SLR are hoping to become the youngest winners of the competition.
The trio, who impressed the judges in Ocho Rios, believes that their harmony is enough to give them a competitive edge.
"We've been singing from we were young and we have great talent, and sing very well. People always encourage us to enter so we decided to go ahead and enter," said Colman.
SLR admits that performing is not an easy feat, but says the group is motivated by the desire to be the best.
"It is a lot of hard work, but thinking about the success at the end of the day motivates all of us. It emphasizes teamwork and unison because we all need each other. We are talented, easy to learn and we can please the public and please the judges, we're just unique, our voice is just natural," Dennis said.
"Jamaica should vote for us because we have great talent, we're young and definitely we're going to need the exposure. We are representing the teens and bringing a message to not only them but we're also targeting the adults."
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