“MY life has made a complete full circle,” is the sentiment expressed by New York-based reggae artiste 360 Degree, who adopt that moniker after performing under the name Seaview.

Born and raised in Cockburn Pen in Jamaica, 360 will be the first to tell you that he has made more than his fair share of ‘wrong turns’, but fortunately for him, his no-nonsense mother and his love for music proved to be his salvation.

Looking back, he recalls how the change started: “At age 19 my family and I relocated from Cockburn Pen to Seaview Gardens. One night while coming home from a dance at House of Leo, I, along with my girlfriend and brother, was stopped by a police officer.

“We were held an illegal firearm and we were charged and released on bail. My mother, who was in the United States at the time, heard what happened and arrived in Jamaica the following day. She was very embarrassed because she worked very hard to ensure that her children did not become a product of their environment,” he relates.

According to 360 Degree, he still remembers how awful he felt disappointing his mother.

However, he soon met Papa Biggy who was residing in Portmore at the time and the cultural artiste quickly became his mentor.

“From then on I started using music as an outlet to channel my frustration,” he said.

“I started to write songs and expressed my feelings through music. Papa Biggy noticed my talent and decided to help. He assisted me with getting a visa to migrate to the US to pursue my dreams.

“While flying to New York, I reflected on my life and decided that I was going to use this opportunity to make a transformation. I wanted to live my life the right way,” 360 reminisced.

However, things weren’t as easy as he thought it would be.

“New York City was nothing like I expected. You have to work just as hard to survive,” he said.

While he sought his musical break, 360 worked as a barber to support his family.

In November 2002 he lost his brother to the gun in Jamaica. 360 said it was during this painful time that he again turned to the only solace he knew — music.

It was also during this period that he penned and recorded his first single Gun Kill Everyday — dedicating it to everyone who had lost someone by a bullet.

While in New York, 360 Degree finally got the break he was seeking through the help of fellow artistes, as well music industry players such as Ed Robinson, Thomas, Face from Stereo Sonic, Lee Major and Benny Hype.

The artistes is presently focused on recording tracks for his upcoming album, Seaview. Tracks already earmarked for this project are Teck it This Far, Gun Kill Everybody, No Murderer and Pretty Little Girl.

“The album will be zoning in on several different aspects of life. It will address domestic violence, AIDS and heartbreak,” 360 related about his upcoming project which he says should be ready early 2011.