Tinga Stewart's heartfelt song, No Weh Nuh Better Than Yard, rings true as he returned to Jamaica to build his career. Having spent time abroad, he realised that his homeland offered the best platform for success. Stewart's belief was affirmed when he entered the Festival Song competition and claimed victory, celebrating his love for Jamaica and its vibrant music scene.

Published Tuesday, July 28, 1981

Tinga Stewart wins Festival Song Contest

Tinga Stewart, the 31-year-old 1974 Festival Song champion, who returned to the island in December after a sojourn in the United States, walked off with the 1981 title on Saturday, July 25 with a song called No Weh No Better Than Yard.

A hard fight was expected between Tinga and runner-up Sam Carty and the Astronauts in the parish survey made public Saturday night at the finals at the National Arena but, after being even at one-all, Tinga streaked away to an easy eight-to-five win (Kingston and St Andrew were counted as one parish).

Tinga left Jamaica early last year along with keyboard artiste Leslie Butler, with whom he had formed a successful duo.  After appearances in Miami and New York, he decided to settle down in New York.  But, by December, he was back home claiming the reggae musicians “have to live in Jamaica to produce the music that will make them international stars”, and advising other artistes to stay in Jamaica and make their names before trying to settle down.

So when Tuff Gong Records officer Sangie Davis and co-writer Michael Carol composed the song No Weh No Better than Yard and it made the 1981 finals, they knew immediately the man who could best express their sentiments.

As the song says, “All nations have them sensation/ and every nation have them badaration … Mamma, daddy, auntie, dawta and youthman. Enjoy yourself inna your homeland and little more I and I rope in. Go rub a dub pon a irie little scene cause when I check it out Lawd/No weh no better than yard.”

To add to the impact of the words,  Tinga carried onstage with him a crocus bag of Jamaican produce including plantains, pineapples, breadfruits and sugar cane.

He matched Sam Carty and the Astronauts clap for clap and was hoisted into the air by his supporters when he was announced winner.

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.