Hailing from the Washington DC area, Born I is an artist holding space at the intersection of Hip Hop and Mindfulness. A lyricist who can move seamlessly through genres, Born I’s diverse influences include Wu-Tang Clan, Andre3000 and Alice Coltrane.

To date, Born I’s music has received over 20 million collective streams across platforms, with a presence in Hip Hop, EDM and Hybrid genres. He has garnered nods from artists like Steve Aoki and more.

Born I is also an experienced meditation practitioner and certified teacher. He is the male voice on the popular meditation app Balance, and he leads mindfulness retreats across the country, using an emphasis on self-compassion and his music as a method of teaching. His latest album “AMIDA” is an expression of Hip Hop as a form of meditation.

In 2020, Born I released an EDM/Hip Hop album “11:11” receiving over a million streams across platforms. He followed this with the release of his autobiographical hip hop album “In This Moment” in 2021, the first offering from his newly formed label YAE (You Are Enough). The album was supported with four music videos. “In This Moment” was a Finalist for “Best Rap Album” at the Washington Area Music Awards (Wammies).

Born I’s live show , “In This Moment: A Music & Meditation Experience” debuted at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. 

A multi-hyphenate, Born I is also an accomplished author. His two children’s books “You Are Enough” and “Love Your Amazing Self” encourage young people to practice self compassion, mindfulness and self acceptance. He was invited to perform songs from the book “Love Your Amazing Self” at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

In April 2023, Born I joined the monks and nuns of Plum Village Monastery on a music and meditation tour of North America. September of the same year saw the release of Born I’s most recent Album “AMIDA”, a spiritual, Lo-Fi Hip Hop album exploring life, death and his Buddhist faith.

Whether he’s rapping over singing bowls in an art gallery (a new expression he dubbed “Hip Hop Soundbath”), sharing mindfulness with families or performing with pyrotechnics at EDC Las Vegas, Born I has a singular message: You Are Enough. His vision of bringing the worlds of Hip Hop and Mindfulness together expands the potential of both music and wellness, now and in the future.


“I want to create music and experiences for people to understand that it’s ok to be exactly who you are. You are enough.” – Born I

“Born I bridges his roles as meditation teacher, author and hip-hop artist into one creative project.”- Lion’s Roar Magazine

“Born I still keeps the consciousness intact with his relatable lyrics while imploring listeners that showing love goes a long way.” – The Word Is Bond Magazine

“There’s a new voice for us to hear in hip-hop and beyond and his name is Born.” – Vibe Magazine