It was clear from the moment we began talking that this was not going to be an ordinary interview. Barely a minute in, I had put aside my notes and prepared questions – I was immersed in the rich, layered world of D.$AHIN.

Photo by Thomas Ram

Born in Istanbul, Dilek Sahin aka D.$AHIN, arrived in Germany as a child in the early 1990s when her family sought asylum. She eventually gained citizenship as a teenager. In 2015, feeling the pull of a slower pace, she moved to Valencia, before ultimately returning to Berlin in 2018. “It feels as though I have lived a thousand lives,” she says. “There’s so much switching between worlds, and these different worlds don’t necessarily understand each other or have a connection.”

This polarisation between worlds has created a liminal space of cultural and emotional in-betweenness, where D.$AHIN resides. “I’m in all these spaces in-between”, she continues, “And I act as a kind of bridge or an alternative”. Drawing from a rich tapestry of communities and lived experiences, she channels a collective wisdom into her artistry. Her deep-rooted connection to community is evident throughout her work. In 2024, she was featured on the song “Give”, which is part of Home, the debut album by A Song For You, a Berlin-based choir project centering BIPoC voices. The project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, uniting artists from around the world in a shared, resonant voice.

Describing herself as a “data collector and explorer,” she gathers insights from across cultures and geographies. The creative challenge, she explains, is transforming that intricate mosaic into something others can feel: “I collect the data,” she says, “and then I have to find a way to communicate it through music.” Her sound reflects this synthesis, melding traditional Turkish folk and her studies of the Saz (a long-necked lute), with the melodic sensibilities of Western pop.

Push and Pull

We begin talking about her experiences of relocating to Valencia, with her then full-time producer/co-writer FDEZ. It was during this time that D.$AHIN quickly established herself as a performer and within months of arriving, she had played a sold-out showcase of her original material as part of the inaugural edition of the M.U.V.Festival. Her popularity in Valencia extended beyond her own project. The artist was invited to collaborate with professors and alumni of the Berklee College of Music Valencia Campus. She then performed in July with Spain’s pre-eminent DJ and producer of party music Carlos Jean.

Photo by Thomas Ram

This time in Valencia was incredibly moulding for D.$AHIN – but whilst she was growing as an artist, she simultaneously found herself struggling on a personal level. She confesses, “Spanish people seemed so community-driven, so deeply connected and while that was liberating in many ways, it was also an excruciatingly painful adjustment after the individualistic, isolated lifestyle of Berlin.” Ironically, Berlin’s expeditious nature, overwhelming to many, provided her with the rhythm she needed. “It’s fast-paced, overstimulating, but that works for me because I’m already constantly overstimulated due to my autism. People with autism often crave structure and order,” she explains.

This challenge she faced in self-regulating was a process shaped by her experiences of living with autism. D.$AHIN tells me she was also diagnosed with ADHD in her early adult life. “Even my neurodivergent diagnoses are in opposition”, she laughs. “Where autistic thinking is very rigid and literal, as it looks for answers, the ADHD part wants movement, wants the unknown, the unpredictability” – yet another manifestation of the artist’s ability to navigate liminal spaces.

“That system within me creates an ambivalence, a constant confrontation, a push and pull, which is a gift for my art in many ways”. Once again, the singer reframes what might be seen as conflict into a creative force, a dynamic that fuels her work as an artist.

Something Greater 

For D.$AHIN, even the process of creating music transcends boundaries. It connects her liminal self to something even greater. “I feel like some kind of spirit,” she says, describing the songwriting process. “The song visits me at that moment. It’s like a very beautiful guest asking, ‘Hey, can I come in and have a conversation with you?’ It’s about tapping into a kind of consciousness and turning that into your own expression.” Music becomes a form of therapy, a spiritual practice, a way to stay grounded and connected. To make art from a place of feeling, healing and deeper understanding is, for D.$AHIN, a form of rebellion against the algorithmic machinery of capitalism. “Being an artist and putting out music is a superpower,” she tells me.

“[Art] is a vehicle for political and ethical understanding. We’ve seen the most cruel and the most beautiful things done by humans. I believe it’s my duty to do as much as I can to not cause further harm.”

The role of the artist is not simply to entertain, but to offer refuge – to create a space of hope and light in a world that too often leans toward darkness. And that is the true power of D.$AHIN’s music. 

Dancing With the Wind 

D.$AHIN at XJAZZ! 2025
Photo by Eike Walkenhorst

After more than an hour of rich conversation, I asked D.$AHIN one final question: What are the mantras she lives by to lead an enriched life? “It is in the beauty of surrendering”, she smiles, “It’s like the strength of a tree in its ability to dance. If it resisted the wind, it would break”.

The artist also talks to me about the power of being present and being able to create space for discomfort. “And it’s been guiding me,” she continues, “It’s not a glamorous or easy life, but it’s mine. And it’s so beautiful, and it’s fucking rich and rewarding. I’m very lucky to be seen and loved by so many beautiful, different communities”. It is these things, whilst continually producing art from a place of tenderness, that are the true recipe for growth and transformation. 

 “I want to move from a place of love and abundance. I don’t want to move from a place of fear and defensiveness. It doesn’t help anyone.”

My conversation with D.$AHIN was raw and reflective. She is an artist in the fullest sense, deeply attuned to her surroundings and fiercely authentic. In a world defined by tension and contradiction, D.$AHIN moves between realms as a guide, reminding us that it’s possible to live truthfully, make art meaningfully, and bring people together through it all.

Listen to “DFFRNT” by D.$AHIN and KEYMER and stay up to date with the artist via Instagram.