THE challenges of urban life has led many Jamaican youth down the wrong path. Not so for deejay Rhyme Minista, whose personal tragedies have inspired him to walk the straight and narrow.

Rhyme Minista (given name Fabian Sawyers) says his songs, which include Searching, are projections of his years growing up in Glendevon, a crime-ridden community in St James.

“Because a certain ‘tings’ wi coulda turn wicked but wi still keep the faith an’ express wiself through music,” he said.

Searching, which Rhyme Minista calls a “reality song”, is the 29-year-old entertainer’s first release. It was produced by the Good Good label out of Montego Bay.

He followed-up with Mad Move for producer DJ Frass and Mad Mad Move, which is produced by the Stashment label.

Music has provided a release for Rhyme Minista who lost three brothersto the violence that has scarred gritty neighbourhoods like Glendevon, located on the outskirts of Montego Bay.

He has followed the dancehall trail since he was a student at Knockalva Technical High School in Westmoreland.

Though Rhyme Minista first recorded in 2000 as a 15-year-old, that song was never released. Given Searching’s resilient message, he believes it is appropriate that song got him off the mark.

“It’s about coming from the ghetto into society, an’ searching for a better life,” he said. “Dat’s what most ghetto people want.”