Biography
read full storyZumjay is a popular street legend in Jamaica who is known for his deejay skills from appearing in numerous stage shows across the island.
Zumjay who was born Rohan Alphanso Stephens got his break in the music industry early in his life as he was scouted while still attending high school. It was at Kingston College where he would deejay during his lunch breaks that a colleague's father, Michael Rutherford noticed his mixing and rhyming talent and arranged a studio cameo for him. It was here in 1994 that Zumjay got his first recording. While the song was never released, it gained him valuable experience in the studio that would later work to his advantage.
A few years later at the age of 18, he began working at another studio called Penthouse as an apprentice studio engineer. By the time he was 22, he was working with already locally famous artistes such as Beenie Man, Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, and Morgan Heritage.
It was in the year 2000 when Zumjay shot to stardom as he recorded a track called 'Courtney', a tribute to international cricket star Courtney Walsh. The song quickly became a Caribbean anthem as an ode to the famous cricketer, and it even peaked at number four on the reggae charts in California. It however, dominated the local charts for weeks after its release.
This was the incentive Zumjay needed to start his recording career and he left Penthouse. In 2002, Zumjay and a colleague collaborated to produce the heavily popular Diwali Riddim. This led him to perform at prestigous events such as Sting and Stone Love's Anniversary. Since then, Zumjay has gone on to produce other riddims which contributed to the growth of his career. He then went on to perform at Reggae Sumfest and Summer Sizzle. Zumjay is also well known for having written for and collaborated with Wayne Wonder and co-writing Sean Paul's Trinity Album.
In 2008 Zumjay left the music industry to join the US Army, after he migrated there a year earlier. Zumjay has however not entirely ruled out a return to the dancehall scene as he claims he still has a passion for recording.