For Rahim Stennett, football once ruled his world. These days it’s music.

Back at Meadowbrook High his days were a blur of training sessions, schoolwork, and the quiet hum of a passion he hadn’t fully embraced yet.

“Meadowbrook was pure energy, but I was a late bloomer on the music side. The passion was always there, but it took a back seat. Football gave me discipline, school sharpened my mind, and music was the heartbeat behind it all,” Stennett explained.

That heartbeat grew louder when he migrated to the United States on a student-athlete scholarship. Life overseas at the New Jersey Institute of Technology was anything but glamorous. However, the lessons he learnt on and off the field also echo in his artistry.

“Living in the States as a student-athlete toughened me up. The routine was strict — train, study, repeat. The roughest part of my life was during that time. But it taught me consistency and work ethic. Now in music, I apply the same focus. Studio time feels like practice, shows feel like match day,” Stennett shared.

“Teamwork reminds me that I need good producers, engineers, and a strong team. Resilience helps me push through when a song don’t connect. And pressure? Pressure makes me better. Running up on stage and running up to a penalty kick feel the same, you either deliver or fold,” he added.

Stennett shared that the turning point came when strangers began reaching out, sharing how his songs helped them, and since then his approach to music shifted from being a mere hobby.

Now he is on the cusp of something special.

Stennett first dropped the single Fully Rich, but is pointing to his latest track, Amazing.

He hopes the takeaway from this track will be the reminder of the beauty of life itself.

“Life is the most amazing blessing you can have, even in struggles. With all the mental health issues and suicides we are seeing among the youth, I want people to feel uplifted, to chase their dreams, and to remember that amazing things can happen when you stay resilient and true to yourself,” Stennett noted.

“The visuals showcase farm life in Jamaica, which is another hobby I hold dear. Plus my son, King Amir, made a special appearance. It’s raw, authentic, and just shares my love for my country and my downtime,” he said of the video currently in the making.

Still, Stennett admitted that carving out a lane in dancehall has by no means been easy.

“The biggest challenge is cutting through the noise. Dancehall full of talent, so I have to stay true to my story and not chase every trend. Standing firm in authenticity while still being fresh, that’s the tightrope,” he declared.

That said, Stennett described his style as a blend of grit and upliftment, but beneath the rhythms and lyrics lies a mission to inspire.

“It’s motivational and relatable. My deep voice can carry melody while staying rough. Think of it like a bridge between conscious vibes and modern dancehall energy. But I am always experimenting, so don’t be surprised if you hear me on an Amapiano or reggaeton beat,” he said.

“My story proves that you can chase more than one dream and still succeed. If I can show a youth that academics, sports, and music can co-exist, then I am doing my job,” Stennett ended.

— Sherdon Cowan