Zumjay pursuing master's degree overseas

Dancehall artiste Zumjay is now reading for his master's degree even while holding down a steady 9-to-5 and doing dancehall music part-time.

According to the veteran deejay, the degree will extend his marketability.

"You have to chase your dreams, and getting this degree will be a big accomplishment as it will make me more marketable in the US job market, and enables me to gain more knowledge and expertise in my chosen field of work," he said.

Zumjay is employed in the US federal government, but he did not wish to disclose more details about the sensitive nature of his job.

In 2014, Zumjay graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centre in the US.

The deejay grew up in Waterhouse and attended Kingston College, then Hydel High School. At age 18, he began working as an apprentice studio engineer for Donovan Germain's Penthouse Records.

RECORD LABEL

Despite most of his more recent headlines being focused on his accomplishments outside of music, the deejay said he has been producing new music under his recently launched record label, Capcha Music Label.

He also signed a distribution deal with US-based VPAL Music and recently released a music video for his song Shell Shock.

The record is a collaboration with fellow dancehall artiste Alozade, and was released on April 14.

"Shell Shock is an authentic dancehall song, we ah shell the place like a peanut, just a feel-good vibe. We also did a video, directed by Dameon Gayle, that was shot in Kingston, Jamaica, and which was released last weekend. The response has been phenomenal so far, and we will be amping up the promotion in several markets all over the world," he said.

The deejay, who migrated to the US in 2007, will be visiting the island later this month to execute street promotions.

He said he wants to make a positive contribution to dancehall music and inspire young people from the inner city to pursue their dreams.

He recently performed at the annual Red Berry concert and shared stage with Dexta Daps at a show in Mt Vernon, New York.