5 Questions with ... Monifa and Jubba
Published:Friday | July 14, 2023 | 12:05 AM
With only one day left until the grand finale of the Magnum Top Performa competition, and two finalists, the excitement in the streets is palpable as anticipation grows for the crowning of the winner.
Who will it be?
Over the course of five weeks, the top 16 battled it out on stage, and now it’s down to the final two - Monifa Goss from Kingston and Jubba from Portmore. They have displayed great camaraderie since the start of the competition, but come Saturday night, only one will walk away with the top prize.
The finals in the series will be held at the Old Hospital Park, Montego Bay on July 14. The winner will receive $1.5 million in cash, a chance to perform at Reggae Sumfest on July 21, as well as a song produced by Chimney Records, while second place will receive $1 million and a music video produced by Romeich Entertainment.
The competition was first launched in September 2021, and took a one-year break before returning this year for its second staging. Magnum, a huge supporter of dancehall music for many years, has hosted the biggest dancehall talent show in Jamaica, the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall. With that show no longer in existence, Magnum decided to create a new platform to showcase the raw talent that exists among the people of Jamaica, thus the emergence of Top Performa. Launched in April, it received an overwhelming number of entries, from which the organisers selected the best 16.
Five Questions With... recently had a chat with the two finalists who shared insights into their lives as upcoming artistes and their journey in the Magnum Top Performa competition.
1. When did you know that you wanted to do music?
Monifa (M): I have always loved music; however, it was at the age of seven when I knew I wanted to be a star in music.
Jubba (J): Me a do music since high school, but when me deh college I realise I was writing more lyrics than notes. A teacher told me no amount a degree cyaa gimme a housing scheme, so I decided to seriously pursue my talent.
2. Why did you join the Magnum Top Performa competition?
M: I entered Magnum Top Performa to showcase a different side of Monifa, other than what most people are used to. Also, I’d say the death of my mommy really pushed me towards this competition, because I just want to excel extremely well in my career and make mama happy, and I know Magnum is a good way to start.
J: I joined Magnum Top Performa to get some well-needed exposure and to make some game-changing links fi see wah can happen this year.
3. What has been your most memorable moment in the competition?
M: I’d say the semi-finals/finals night. It was exciting! I enjoyed performing for the audience and making them get turnt up. It was litty!!
J: My most memorable moment a when we deh Linstead and Romeich was judging. After my performance him ask di crowd weh dem say and di crowd say “hellooooo”, which is my slang so that was a great feeling.
4. How excited are you about possibly performing at Reggae Sumfest?
M: I’m extremely excited. Imma do my BEST on Sumfest. I just want to step on stage and let my presence in this music industry be felt by everyone that will be there.
J: It’s the biggest dancehall and reggae show inna di world. Mi well want mash it up so Fada Joe and Fada Skatta can say ‘Jubba, we want yuh next year and every year after that’.
5. What is the first thing you would do if you were to win the Top Performa title?
M: I’m definitely going to buckle down and just focus on my career even more than I was before. It’s just gonna be bigger and better from here. My mom motivated me every step of the way, teaching me everything I know about music, so I just want to get out there and make her proud, rep Jamaica and carry all the awards home.
J: Me want invest inna me music and link up wid Romeich and Chimney dem fi put in some real work. [Do] some wicked tunes, some bad videos, a whole heap of promotion and see if we can make some records weh a break some records.
BRAWTA:
What advice do you have for anyone who wants to join the competition in the future?
M: Never lose faith in yourself, your desire is possible to achieve. It’s literally there waiting for you to just grab it. Nothing nuh name cyaaaa! It’s yours if you make up your mind that it’s yours. Come showcase your talents to a bigger audience. It’s so important that you share the talents you were blessed with and not have them locked up in hiding.
J: The work is tireless but the reward is sweeter than granny porridge. So from yuh know yuh willing fi put in the hard work and yuh serious about furthering yuh music career, then you joining the right place.