Even if you are from the same neighborhood as someone else, you might still be coming from different places. Where you are from is a complicated question and it elicits complicated, but interesting and thought-provoking responses. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Yung Duck

Growing up seeing roads I didn’t wanna go down and pretty much the environment I grew up in it was hard financially growing up but me finding god and a purpose for music was the best thing ever happen to me. Read More>>

Lillie Marusik

I was raised in The Woodlands, Texas, as the oldest of six kids. Growing up, I struggled deeply with an eating disorder and a negative body image, which led to years of battling depression and feeling completely alone. I spent so much of my life hating the person I saw in the mirror. But God met me in that pain and began to heal and transform my heart. Now, He’s using my story to help other women see themselves through His eyes, reminding them that they are beautifully made, deeply loved, and never alone. Read More>>

Chris Adams

I’m from Lufkin, Texas, and now living in Houston. Growing up in East Texas, I was surrounded by soul, gospel, blues, and Southern rap. That blend of sound and culture shaped my identity and became the foundation of my music. Artists like Johnnie Taylor, Luther Vandross, Big KRIT, and Lil Wayne inspired me early on, not just because of their sound but because of the way they told their stories with honesty and depth. Read More>>

Clay Cutler

So, I’m originally from Auburn, Alabama, and prior to ending up in Colorado, lived in both South Carolina and the DC Metro area. Like most people who grew up in the south, I spent a lot of time active in church, and actually was a youth minister for a period of time in my life. But, my passion for music started well before that. I was “lucky” to basically have the same music teacher for my entire schooling life, and still maintain a friendship with Mr. Thomas today. He was the one who first got me to push myself when it comes to music as a career.  Read More>>

Micheline Halloul

I am from El Paso, Texas and my upbringing impacted me the way I am today because my parents always supported my dreams of being an artist. I have been making art since I could hold a pencil and have not stopped since. It is the only thing I ever really cared about doing. I was able to express myself through art and my parents never stopped me and always encouraged me. Being able to create and be yourself without being told ‘no’ or ‘you can’t be an artist when you grow up’ gave me the fuel to get to where I am today. Read More>>