Finding My Sound: A Musical Journey Across Cultures

Music has always been more than just sound to me; it’s been a journey of self-discovery, creativity, and connection. Growing up, I was surrounded by an eclectic mix of music that spanned genres, cultures, and eras. My early exposure to reggae—thanks to artists like Bob Marley, Damian Marley, and Peter Tosh—sparked an ongoing love for the genre. It was fascinating to realize that reggae wasn’t just limited to Jamaica when I stumbled upon French reggae artists like Danakil. They introduced me to the idea that powerful music can transcend borders, much like my own multicultural background.

Hip-hop, however, was what truly grabbed me as a kid. I spent hours listening to Wu Tang Clan, 50 Cent, Biggie, and Tupac—legends who shaped the golden era of hip-hop. As I grew older and dug deeper into lyrics, artists like J. Cole and The Roots began to fascinate me with their storytelling and technical perfection. Kanye West, especially in his earlier years, showed me how attitude, image, and narrative can combine to create something impactful. But my musical exploration didn’t stop there.

Fela Kuti was a game-changer for me, too. He introduced me to afro-jazz, blending classical jazz with Nigerian heritage, which expanded my idea of what music could be. Jazz and blues legends like John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, and B.B. King became part of my musical DNA as well. My dad would often play their music, and it stayed with me. These diverse influences—from R&B icons like Jhene Aiko, SZA, and Daniel Caesar to the funky electronic hip-hop of Goldlink—have all shaped the way I approach my own music.

The interesting thing is that I’ve noticed I’ve always been drawn to BIPOC creatives and particularly black music. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Africa, or maybe it’s just because their music carries a depth and emotional resonance that I’ve always connected with. Even though I’m not ethnically black, I feel that growing up in Africa has given me a unique understanding of the powerful emotions that drive so much of the music created by black artists.

My journey as a performer is still in its early stages. I haven’t had many opportunities to perform live outside of my recent radio interview, but I do have some memorable experiences from my school days in Sudan. One that stands out was a Duke Ellington tribute organized by my music teacher, Mr. Bob. For that performance, Amine and I composed a simple but meaningful blues-inspired song. Performing it in front of over 100 people was an unforgettable experience.

At school, we also had the chance to perform during lunch breaks, where I would freestyle on guitar or cover songs like "Seven Nation Army" or Jessie J's "Price Tag" (cringe-worthy now, but hey, we all start somewhere!). Those moments helped build my confidence and passion for music, and they’ve continued to shape my desire to perform more and collaborate with other creatives.

Currently, I’m working towards refining my sound. I’ve been drawn to melodic hip-hop recently, and it’s pushed me to explore singing, even though it’s something I’m still working on. My goal is to create music that blends hip-hop with elements of R&B, pop, and other subgenres, keeping it fresh and diverse. I don’t want to limit myself to just one style, and I’m excited about the challenge of developing my voice and expanding my creative range.

Collaborating with others has been a huge part of my journey as well. The process of creating “Groovy” with my friend Amine (Pie) taught me a lot about the importance of environment, mindset, and creative flow. Working with Pie feels natural, and we often create without overthinking. But I’ve also learned that collaboration involves compromise and the merging of different creative visions. It’s about finding the right balance to create something unique, and I’ve come to appreciate the art of managing ideas and working through disagreements to produce a cohesive project.

Looking ahead, I’m not working on anything specific right now, but I’m always searching for new collaborators. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on this journey is that amazing music is being created all over the world. It’s exciting to see how different cultures and influences can collide to create something extraordinary. My goal is to keep experimenting, working on an EP, and learning from others who inspire me.

Music will always be a part of my life, whether it becomes a full-time career or remains a personal passion. Either way, I’m committed to growing as an artist and sharing that journey with anyone willing to listen.