JAMAICAN-IRISH rapper and singer JayaHadADream has won Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent Competition, earning her a spot on a main stage.
Her win at Pilton Working Men's Club on Saturday (April 27) also bagged her a £5,000 Talent Development prize from the PRS Foundation.
The Cambridge-born singer, full name Jaya Gordon-Moore, recently quit her job in a sixth form to pursue music full-time.
She said: “I am honestly so grateful and overwhelmed - in the best way - with all the love and support.
“I am so excited to share the stage with my live band and show Glasto what we do!
“I am also buzzing to see the site and immerse myself into the world of Glasto.
“I am already in awe of the way it is organised, and being part of this competition has giving me such an insight into the passion and commitment to the community the organisers have.
“I am blown away!”
The judges – who included Emily Eavis, Glastonbury stage bookers and music business professionals – gave the two runners-up places to singer-songwriter Nadia Kadek and soul singer Caleb Kunle.
Both acts will receive a £2,500 Talent Development prize.
While announcing the winners, BBC 6 Music’s Huw Stephens also confirmed that all eight acts on a night of powerful performances will be given slots at this year’s festival.
This means The Ayoub Sisters, Bryte, KID 12, Olivia Nelson, and Problem Patterns will all be able to perform at Worthy Farm in June.
The winner of the 2023 competition was the Guinea-born, Cardiff-based musician N’famady Kouyaté, who said: “Winning Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition was amazing and has opened loads of doors for me.
“It gave me and the band a chance to perform on an amazing stage at an incredible festival.
“Winning also meant that I could take the next steps to further my career.
“If you think you’re ready to take the next steps too, I highly suggest you enter this year’s contest!”
Other recent Emerging Talent Competition finalists include Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis McLaughlin, lockdown winner R.A.E, Marie White, Flohio and Izzy Bizu.
The 2015 winner was Declan McKenna, who subsequently signed with Columbia and has released two successful albums and played on Glastonbury's Other Stage.
He will return to Worthy Farm this year to play the Woodsies Stage.
The 2017 ETC winner was singer Josh Barry, who has since toured with Rag’n’Bone Man and Gorgon City, and 2016 winners She Drew The Gun have received considerable acclaim for their politically-inspired psych-pop.
Glastonbury Festival 2024 will be held in Pilton between Wednesday, June 26 and Sunday, June 30.
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