I have always believed in the quiet magic of little things — the ones that may seem unremarkable to others, yet carry a world of meaning for you. It might be a toy you carried to the family table each day until it became part of your childhood itself. Or a small ball — once chased by the puppy you loved at five, and now worn smooth with time, a reminder of that same companion who has grown into a faithful old dog.

And then there could be a music player. Cheap and a little battered — yet from the very beginning, a symbol of freedom and a wellspring of inner strength.

This is the story of Ibrahim Abudyak — entrepreneur and founder of a well-known Dubai streetwear brand Jokes Aside — whose relationship with music began not with streaming apps or endless playlists, but with this very player. His story is raw and full of life. Here is a glimpse into what his childhood sounded like.