Roots Without Borders: A Journey of Cultures, Creativity, and Identity
Born in Belgium but raised in a world of constant movement, my identity was shaped long before I could grasp the complexities of belonging. At just two weeks old, my parents brought me to Azerbaijan, and from there, my life became an ongoing passport of cultures, marking the beginning of a life rooted in transition. Before the age of three, I had already lived in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Iraq, my family’s moves came with each new country my parents were stationed in as humanitarian workers for the International Committee of the Red Cross. But it was Ethiopia, where I started school, that formed my earliest memories. My childhood was punctuated by creative play, international friendships, and the need to adapt.
I was just three years old when we left Iraq—by helicopter, due to bombings—and landed in Addis Ababa. From Pre-Kindergarten to 3rd grade, I attended an international school that followed the American system. School plays, talent shows, and impromptu performances of hip-hop hits like Eminem and 50 Cent filled my time. My early creativity was nurtured, whether through piano lessons (though I didn’t love them at the time, regrettably) or through the thrill of the stage. Yet, those early years were just the start of a much larger journey. That was the start of my love for music, performance, and the feeling of being on stage.
At age nine, we moved again—this time to Kampala, Uganda, where I picked up basketball and hip-hop breakdancing classes. But it wasn’t long before we relocated once more, this time to Amman, Jordan. In Jordan, I discovered a passion for robotics and art, taking higher-level classes that sparked my love for creating. It was here that I penned my first song—a cringe-worthy but sweet attempt to win over a school crush. This marked the beginning of my deeper connection to music and storytelling.
Sudan came next, where boredom didn’t exist, thanks to the desert city’s heat and isolation. I spent hours outdoors with friends, playing basketball, and running, but most importantly, my creative exploration evolved. That’s where I met Amine (now known as Pie), and together we delved deeper into our creative pursuits. Sudan, while sometimes challenging due to its more isolated environment, gave us the space to explore music. I started making beats on FL Studio and discovered a natural flow in rapping, an outlet for expression in a place with few other distractions. This is also when my interest in video making grew. I’d film little sketches with friends, creating short scripts, setting up scenes, and editing it all afterward. It was basic, but in that moment, I felt like a filmmaker. It was rudimentary, but the feeling of creating something from scratch was addictive.
Every country I lived in had a profound impact on shaping my perspective and creativity, but one of the most difficult transitions was when my mother and I moved to Geneva, Switzerland, and I started attending a public school in bordering France. This was my first experience living in a European country, and the cultural shift was drastic—from African communal cultures to a more individualistic European environment. I had to quickly learn French, navigate a public school system vastly different from anything I had known, and face the realities of living in a rough neighborhood where making the wrong decision could mean survival. For the first time, I was surrounded by a harsh world I hadn’t known before, but through it, I found music as my outlet—freestyling in the streets, writing lyrics that reflected my internal struggles, and channeling my creative energy into fashion and style.
Moving to Amsterdam, after graduating high school, was a return to the international community I had missed. During this time, I was grappling with my identity. Where was I truly from? Each place had left a mark on me, yet none felt like home. I was a third-culture kid, caught between multiple worlds, which became a core part of who I am today. Moving to Amsterdam marked the beginning of a renewed focus on my creative pursuits; I began to piece together the fractured parts of my identity and lean fully into my creativity. I began recording in a studio for the first time, moved away from just freestyling in the streets, and embraced the international creative scene. The positive, ambitious energy I found in Amsterdam rekindled my love for the arts, music, and fashion, reminding me of what was possible. This is also when I met my best friend and creative partner, Maris.
In 2022, I left Amsterdam and moved to Berlin. It was during this transition that two friends, Ginger and Sean, played a pivotal role in getting me into film photography. Ginger, who I knew from Amsterdam, and Sean, who I met in Berlin, helped open my eyes to a new creative outlet, and my passion for capturing moments through an analog lens was born.
Berlin was also a city that forced me to reflect on my identity even further. It was the first time I moved somewhere without a support structure like school or childhood friends. I was truly on my own, and those initial months in Berlin were difficult. The loneliness brought me face-to-face with my thoughts and forced me to re-evaluate my goals and purpose. But it also strengthened my resolve. I emerged from that period more certain than ever that my path lays in creativity—music, fashion, film photography, events and beyond.
Growing up without borders has been both a blessing and a challenge. I’ve learned that no single place can define me, but every country I’ve lived in has left its mark. The constant movement forced me to adapt, understand different cultures, and develop a perspective that is both vast and nuanced. I’m not tied to one nationality or culture, but instead, I embrace the beauty of many.
This journey of growing up internationally has given me a unique lens on life, culture, and expression. Every song I write, every photo I capture, and every project I embark on is imbued with the lessons learned from different corners of the world, from the wide-open deserts of Sudan to the bustling streets of Berlin. My art, my music, and my ideas are all a reflection of the world I’ve seen, the friendships I’ve forged, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
