Elmiene has unveiled his deeply personal EP, For the Deported, a poignant reflection on displacement and resilience, per dazeddigital.com. At just 23, Elmiene channels his raw experiences into soulful melodies, offering a voice to those forced to leave their homelands behind.
“I imagined sitting before my house as it burned,” he recalls, describing the emotional foundation of the EP. Tracks like “Grave News” and “Golden” deliver a powerful mix of grief and hope, showcasing resilience amidst tragedy. As global crises in Palestine, Sudan and beyond dominate headlines, Elmiene’s work feels both timely and universal.
Born to Sudanese parents who fled to Germany before settling in Oxford, Elmiene’s identity has always been intertwined with the concept of home. “Sudan is my personality, humour and emotions,” he reflects. The EP’s cover—a childhood photo—symbolises the lost simplicity of those formative years, spent playing in his family’s front yard and harvesting fruit.
Elmiene’s meteoric rise began in 2021 with a viral cover of D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does it Feel),” drawing praise from Pharrell Williams, Missy Elliott and Questlove. Soon after, his track “Golden” debuted at Virgil Abloh’s final Louis Vuitton show. Now, with For the Deported, he revisits the themes of belonging and identity while embarking on the next chapter: his debut album.
The EP delivers a simple but profound message: “We deserve to feel like goodbyes aren’t permanent,” Elmiene says. It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply in a world grappling with forced migration and loss.
Elmiene’s journey, from Oxford to the global stage, serves as a testament to the enduring power of music to heal and connect.
- Featured image: Elmiene/Lewis Khan
