Left: Taliban (left) and Deep Jahi, winners of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall 2012, are in high spirits after being crowned. Right: Too Qute, who placed third, was well-received.

Throughout the competition they had to be as objective as possible, but when Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall ended on Saturday, the judges disclosed that the voters made the right choices.

Speaking with THE STAR immediately after the show came to a close at Chinese Benevolent Association, Old Hope Road, St Andrew, Miss Kitty said she was indeed pleased with the winners, Taliban and Deep Jahi.

"I think that they are most deserving. I think that both contestants have been very consistent throughout the entire competition. I saw the promise in them from the audition and I am not really surprised," she said.

"With these competitions, the pendulum can swing in any way, so I am very happy that it went in the right direction tonight. Taliban for Magnum Queen and Deep Jahi for Magnum King is definitely the best choice for 2012."

Fellow judge Skatta also thought the winners were deserving of their titles.

"Is like the first time this competition end and the two winners that I choose, dem come up and win. The two deserving persons in my book, they won," he said.

Professor Nuts added: "Is like I predict these two individuals from the first instance they came on stage. My comments to them is neutral but I can tell you a king and queen from early out."

Excited about winning, Deep Jahi already has plans for his music career.

"It's a stupendous feeling, winning is just a greatness. I just plan to push the music further, do some good music so that people can relate to it," he said, noting that he wants to go worldwide with his music.

Taliban, who was teary-eyed immediately after being crowned, had very little to say about winning.

"Mi son, stop worry. Mommy a come right back fi you. Di two a wi ago live together," she said.

Runner-up to the queen, Kayla Di Diva lauded all the contestants who made it to the top four.

"People love Taliban, people love me. But at the end of the day, it's just a competition. Four a wi lef, two haffi go home. It nuh easy fi deh which part wi deh. Mi proud a di whole a wi," she told THE STAR.

Big Pop, however, blamed his second-place finish on the birth of his daughter.

"This was the result I expected because mi daughter born Tuesday and from mi daughter born, a hospital mi deh a look pon har. Mi nuh do no campaigning, a di joy a my life. Give thanks fi Magnum Kings and Queens fi put Big Pop weh him deh," he said.

Left: Tanto Blacks performed at the finals. Right: DeMarco performing at the Magnum Kings and Queens of the Dancehall finals. - Colin Hamilton photos