A Bermudian musician has made waves in the British reggae community after being named runner up in the Britain’s Got Reggae competition.

Desta “Zion” Wilson, who performed a blend of original songs and covers at the finals, was defeated by a single point in the finals by Misa West.

Mr Wilson said he felt “blessed” by the success, even if his choice to perform a cover song during his final set on August 24 might have cost him.

He said: “Audience reception was great throughout, and every time it got better and better. Semi finals was amazing — so amazing that it put pressure on me to be better for finals as I was like, what do I do for the finals? What songs?

“I can sing all different genres and I’d like to believe that I have my own style and can make songs my own. It may sound simple but it’s not an easy task.”

Mr Wilson added: “I think I’m lucky or maybe blessed in that way — praises to the most high for that.”

He said he learnt about the competition two years ago as he and a friend discussed what avenues they could perform as artists. Mr Wilson said: “As it was a Thursday night there is this Reggae Night in Hoxton, London, at a venue called Troy Bar that I go to.

“I mentioned that, but it was a bit of a trek so she googled things to do and the final of Britain’s Got Reggae came up.

“We went to it and it was amazing — then this year the same friend texted me and said you should enter this as you could win it.”

He said a producer he had worked with had already suggested he enter, but he thought at the time he didn’t want to be involved in a competition.

Mr Wilson said: “When my friend sent it, I thought about it and said what the hell. It’s exposure. The rest is history.”

While he did not claim the top prize, Mr Wilson said he already had other irons in the fire.

He said: “I’m going to continue to do music and continue to perfect my craft.

“I had an offer by a certain popular rock artist who would like me go do an album with her producer — there’s nothing in writing or materialised yet.

“However, I will say that after BGR, I think that’s it for me. When it comes to competition, I believe I proved my self more than worthy now.”