DJ Javv spins his way to Digicel Remix D’Summa prize

Most teenagers would guard a brand new phone like treasure.

But as a teen, Javroy 'DJ Javv' Smith sold his without hesitation to buy his first DJ controller, leaving him without a device for months, but setting him on a path of discovery of his love for DJing. Moments like these, he says, are the truest testament to knowing his passion for music was worth every sacrifice. That same determination and dedication have now earned the 25-year-old from Spaldings, Clarendon, the title of Digicel's Remix D'Summa DJ champion.

On the turntables, DJ Javv is fearless. Off them, he is the young man who grew up in church, playing drums, keyboard and bass while absorbing the music his father filled the house with. He remembers watching instruments blend together and realising he had fallen in love with sound.

"I can sing too. I'd consider myself musically grounded," he said. By the time he left Spaldings High School, he already knew he was hearing his calling.

His first real step into DJing came when his brother recognised his passion and gave him a laptop, introducing him to Virtual DJ. That gift opened a door to hours of experimenting with mixes and developing his craft. When the laptop eventually crashed, his mother handed him hers so he could keep going. Their encouragement laid the foundation for his journey and showed him how much his family believed in his talent.

"This is why I sold the phone even when everyone else had one. I knew why I was doing it. This is going to be worth it. I have to make it as a DJ."

That focus led him to enter Digicel's Remix D'Summa DJ competition. After submitting his two-minute video, he watched the likes and comments pour in with a mix of excitement and disbelief.

"Seeing people enjoy my mix definitely overwhelmed me," he said. When the call came to say he had won, tears of joy followed. His prize included $250,000 to upgrade his gear and, even bigger, a year-long residency as Digicel's official DJ.

"The opportunity to grow my brand and my passion is more than what I could ask for, and this opportunity will provide that," he said.

As part of its summer campaign, Digicel gave talented DJs across Jamaica the chance to showcase their skills for a chance to win. Digicel Ambassador ZJ Sparks, who was the face of the competition, said it was all about amplifying raw, real Jamaican talent.

"We saw DJs bring their A-game, blending creativity with culture in ways that truly ignited the summer. It was a great experience seeing the young DJs representing and to have the online community rally behind them with their votes, reposts and shares," he said.

Nicholette McFarlane, Digicel's head of marketing, added "We love opportunities like these to show that Digicel remains champions of local culture and creativity. Our Remix D'Summa promotion, which included the DJ competition, was designed to celebrate the vibrancy of our communities and give rising stars the spotlight they deserve - it's about celebrating and highlighting grassroots talent."

For DJ Javv, the win is more about recognition and to inspire the next generation of DJs. Growing up in rural Clarendon, he knows how challenging it can be to break into the local scene and gain visibility. He regularly hosts sessions at his home, teaching young people how to use DJ programmes, update their music libraries, and count beats and bars.

"I do it for free because I just want to see the future of DJing grow," he explained.