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DJ ABAN
From Syria to Paris, Embracing Music and Culture

I am a DJ (@dj.aban), shaped by a journey that took me from my homeland Syria to Kuwait, Jordan, and now Paris, after the war in my country. My music career began with playing drums igniting a passion that led me to explore different genres. Yet, in the innocence of my youth, there was a humble companion, a ‘msajle’ (little music player), where I collected cassette tapes. I cherished my music collection and would play them loudly, immersing myself in the rhythms and melodies. My attraction to DJing grew, as I enjoyed creating music that made people dance and brought joy to their lives. It allowed me to harness the rhythm and control the flow of various genres. As a drummer, I understood the importance of being part of a group, syncing with others to create harmony. However, as a DJ, I could command any music, shaping the atmosphere to my liking.

What matters most to me is staying true to my own musical instincts and expressing my personality through my creations. If people connect with and love my unique blend, it brings me joy and fulfillment. And, by staying authentic to my own musical preferences, I attract like-minded individuals who appreciate my personality and the way I interpret music. It’s this genuine connection that fulfills my soul.

 

Leaving Syria was bittersweet for me. I yearn for the old moments, the gatherings with friends, and the connections we shared. I miss the intricate details of our interactions and the depth of our friendships. Damascus holds a special place in my heart, representing my sense of belonging and nostalgia. It is a city that holds cherished memories and evokes a deep connection within me.

First, I had to move to Kuwait in 2011 due to unrest in Syria, right before the beginning of the war, where during my free time there I dedicated myself to learning the art of DJing. It became a way for me to express myself and fulfill my dreams. The moments spent with friends, observing DJs in action, ignited a desire within me to pursue this path. Hours upon hours were spent honing my skills, losing track of time as if minutes were mere seconds. Despite the challenges that came by in my stay in Kuwait, I played at friend’s parties and family gatherings, learning and experimenting with remixes. 

 

After Kuwait, I made the decision to move to Jordan. By that time Jordan became a hub for my musical aspirations, and I spent a fruitful year there, entertaining crowds at various festivals and predominantly wedding celebrations. The experience in Jordan solidified my capabilities as a DJ, allowing me to flourish in my craft. 

I moved one last time to France, where eventually now it became where I reside despite it being incredibly challenging to navigate this new society and find my place while preserving my cultural roots. I primarily started playing at weddings in France, and gaining recognition and requests for future weddings. 

 

While my career was going well, I aspired to expand my horizons and perform in nightclubs and concerts. In Paris, the perception of oriental music often leans towards the traditional metric culture. I faced difficulties promoting myself to oriental or Syrian associations. The associations typically favored DJs playing techno or mainstream music, not representing the culture I wanted to showcase. However, I wanted to stay true to my vision of sharing the vibrant nightlife and party culture of the Middle East. I believed there was something special and unique to be shown from our region. 

This led to the creation of a “Hishik Bishik” (@hishik_bishik.fr) in 2022 in Paris to capture this essence. I chose the name reminiscent of a magical code like “Abracadabra.” It represented my intention to bring something different to the oriental party scene, where remixes dominated and authentic oriental belly dance was missing. I felt a void in Paris, a lack of genuine representation of our culture and a vibrant Middle Eastern party atmosphere. It was indeed a turning point for me. I found success in conveying my message and showcasing the party spirit of our area. It was a gratifying experience to have my vision acknowledged and appreciated by an audience receptive to the cultural aspects I wanted to bring forth. 

While the journey may have been challenging, the recognition and accomplishment I achieved last year validates the importance of staying true to your artistic vision and cultural roots. It is a proof of the resilience and determination required to make a mark in a new society while representing your heritage. Integration takes time and effort, but I believe that genuine connections can be formed regardless of cultural differences. And in Paris, I am grateful to have found a community that embraces diversity and accepts me for who I am. It is about finding those who appreciate you for your character and talents, and building meaningful relationships with them and this is what happened with me.

I am a DJ (@dj.aban), shaped by a journey that took me from my homeland Syria to Kuwait, Jordan, and now Paris, after the war in my country. My music career began with playing drums igniting a passion that led me to explore different genres. Yet, in the innocence of my youth, there was a humble companion, a ‘msajle’ (little music player), where I collected cassette tapes. I cherished my music collection and would play them loudly, immersing myself in the rhythms and melodies. My attraction to DJing grew, as I enjoyed creating music that made people dance and brought joy to their lives. It allowed me to harness the rhythm and control the flow of various genres. As a drummer, I understood the importance of being part of a group, syncing with others to create harmony. However, as a DJ, I could command any music, shaping the atmosphere to my liking.

 

What matters most to me is staying true to my own musical instincts and expressing my personality through my creations. If people connect with and love my unique blend, it brings me joy and fulfillment. And, by staying authentic to my own musical preferences, I attract like-minded individuals who appreciate my personality and the way I interpret music. It’s this genuine connection that fulfills my soul.

Leaving Syria was bittersweet for me. I yearn for the old moments, the gatherings with friends, and the connections we shared. I miss the intricate details of our interactions and the depth of our friendships. Damascus holds a special place in my heart, representing my sense of belonging and nostalgia. It is a city that holds cherished memories and evokes a deep connection within me.

 

First, I had to move to Kuwait in 2011 due to unrest in Syria, right before the beginning of the war, where during my free time there I dedicated myself to learning the art of DJing. It became a way for me to express myself and fulfill my dreams. The moments spent with friends, observing DJs in action, ignited a desire within me to pursue this path. Hours upon hours were spent honing my skills, losing track of time as if minutes were mere seconds. Despite the challenges that came by in my stay in Kuwait, I played at friend’s parties and family gatherings, learning and experimenting with remixes. 

After Kuwait, I made the decision to move to Jordan. By that time Jordan became a hub for my musical aspirations, and I spent a fruitful year there, entertaining crowds at various festivals and predominantly wedding celebrations. The experience in Jordan solidified my capabilities as a DJ, allowing me to flourish in my craft. 

 

I moved one last time to France, where eventually now it became where I reside despite it being incredibly challenging to navigate this new society and find my place while preserving my cultural roots. I primarily started playing at weddings in France, and gaining recognition and requests for future weddings. 

 

While my career was going well, I aspired to expand my horizons and perform in nightclubs and concerts. In Paris, the perception of oriental music often leans towards the traditional metric culture. I faced difficulties promoting myself to oriental or Syrian associations. The associations typically favored DJs playing techno or mainstream music, not representing the culture I wanted to showcase. However, I wanted to stay true to my vision of sharing the vibrant nightlife and party culture of the Middle East. I believed there was something special and unique to be shown from our region. 

This led to the creation of a “Hishik Bishik” (@hishik_bishik.fr) in 2022 in Paris to capture this essence. I chose the name reminiscent of a magical code like “Abracadabra.” It represented my intention to bring something different to the oriental party scene, where remixes dominated and authentic oriental belly dance was missing. I felt a void in Paris, a lack of genuine representation of our culture and a vibrant Middle Eastern party atmosphere. It was indeed a turning point for me. I found success in conveying my message and showcasing the party spirit of our area. It was a gratifying experience to have my vision acknowledged and appreciated by an audience receptive to the cultural aspects I wanted to bring forth. 

While the journey may have been challenging, the recognition and accomplishment I achieved last year validates the importance of staying true to your artistic vision and cultural roots. It is a proof of the resilience and determination required to make a mark in a new society while representing your heritage. Integration takes time and effort, but I believe that genuine connections can be formed regardless of cultural differences. And in Paris, I am grateful to have found a community that embraces diversity and accepts me for who I am. It is about finding those who appreciate you for your character and talents, and building meaningful relationships with them and this is what happened with me. 

I am a DJ (@dj.aban), shaped by a journey that took me from my homeland Syria to Kuwait, Jordan, and now Paris, after the war in my country. My music career began with playing drums igniting a passion that led me to explore different genres. Yet, in the innocence of my youth, there was a humble companion, a ‘msajle’ (little music player), where I collected cassette tapes. I cherished my music collection and would play them loudly, immersing myself in the rhythms and melodies. My attraction to DJing grew, as I enjoyed creating music that made people dance and brought joy to their lives. It allowed me to harness the rhythm and control the flow of various genres. As a drummer, I understood the importance of being part of a group, syncing with others to create harmony. However, as a DJ, I could command any music, shaping the atmosphere to my liking.

What matters most to me is staying true to my own musical instincts and expressing my personality through my creations. If people connect with and love my unique blend, it brings me joy and fulfillment. And, by staying authentic to my own musical preferences, I attract like-minded individuals who appreciate my personality and the way I interpret music. It’s this genuine connection that fulfills my soul.

 

Leaving Syria was bittersweet for me. I yearn for the old moments, the gatherings with friends, and the connections we shared. I miss the intricate details of our interactions and the depth of our friendships. Damascus holds a special place in my heart, representing my sense of belonging and nostalgia. It is a city that holds cherished memories and evokes a deep connection within me.

First, I had to move to Kuwait in 2011 due to unrest in Syria, right before the beginning of the war, where during my free time there I dedicated myself to learning the art of DJing. It became a way for me to express myself and fulfill my dreams. The moments spent with friends, observing DJs in action, ignited a desire within me to pursue this path. Hours upon hours were spent honing my skills, losing track of time as if minutes were mere seconds. Despite the challenges that came by in my stay in Kuwait, I played at friend’s parties and family gatherings, learning and experimenting with remixes. 

After Kuwait, I made the decision to move to Jordan. By that time Jordan became a hub for my musical aspirations, and I spent a fruitful year there, entertaining crowds at various festivals and predominantly wedding celebrations. The experience in Jordan solidified my capabilities as a DJ, allowing me to flourish in my craft. 

 

I moved one last time to France, where eventually now it became where I reside despite it being incredibly challenging to navigate this new society and find my place while preserving my cultural roots. I primarily started playing at weddings in France, and gaining recognition and requests for future weddings. 

While my career was going well, I aspired to expand my horizons and perform in nightclubs and concerts. In Paris, the perception of oriental music often leans towards the traditional metric culture. I faced difficulties promoting myself to oriental or Syrian associations. The associations typically favored DJs playing techno or mainstream music, not representing the culture I wanted to showcase. However, I wanted to stay true to my vision of sharing the vibrant nightlife and party culture of the Middle East. I believed there was something special and unique to be shown from our region. 

This led to the creation of a “Hishik Bishik” (@hishik_bishik.fr) in 2022 in Paris to capture this essence. I chose the name reminiscent of a magical code like “Abracadabra.” It represented my intention to bring something different to the oriental party scene, where remixes dominated and authentic oriental belly dance was missing. I felt a void in Paris, a lack of genuine representation of our culture and a vibrant Middle Eastern party atmosphere. It was indeed a turning point for me. I found success in conveying my message and showcasing the party spirit of our area. It was a gratifying experience to have my vision acknowledged and appreciated by an audience receptive to the cultural aspects I wanted to bring forth. 

While the journey may have been challenging, the recognition and accomplishment I achieved last year validates the importance of staying true to your artistic vision and cultural roots. It is a proof of the resilience and determination required to make a mark in a new society while representing your heritage. Integration takes time and effort, but I believe that genuine connections can be formed regardless of cultural differences. And in Paris, I am grateful to have found a community that embraces diversity and accepts me for who I am. It is about finding those who appreciate you for your character and talents, and building meaningful relationships with them and this is what happened with me.