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Julian Mack

@itsjulianmack

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Adoptee / CREATIVE

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My EP, Fragments, is out today. As much as I love music, this runs deeper than that for me. You’re listening to track 6. is it a safe space?

Our identity is our greatest creative work. In the adoptee community, we call the state of not understanding adoption’s impact “The Fog” — living through something traumatic without knowing its weight, until a moment shatters the illusion and forces you to see it. Until two years ago, that was me. I couldn’t point to a wound or root cause. I didn’t even think adoption involved trauma.

Identity was a struggle as a kid — light-skinned, biologically Black, raised in a mixed household, trying to navigate people who were mine and not mine at the same time. “Too white for the Black kids, too Black for the white kids” became my theme, and belonging was something I was always searching for. Add the “you should be grateful” comments — true, but as a kid, they taught me to suppress instead of process.

External validation became my best friend. Longing to be loved by all and hated by none broke me down — until I found music. It’s the one place I’ve felt free to express myself without being tied to anything but how I felt. This EP is fragments of that expression, made during my time in The Fog.

Reconnecting with my mom’s side did more than words can describe. The piece of me left incomplete became whole. I’m out of The Fog now, and I understand its impact — something I continue to unpack daily, with grace for where I’m at.

I feel free to be creative, Fragments, out now. 🖤

Track 1. to the wind - produced by @jbakelimitless
Track 2. loving was leaving - produced by @_morgenmusic
Track 3. keeps spinnin’ - produced by @_morgenmusic
Track 4. love your expression - produced by @zayheadx
Track 5. hurry don’t worry - produced by @marcusonthebeat
Track 6. is it a safe space? - produced by @jussgram

Shout out @zayheadx @marcusonthebeat @jbakelimitless @_morgenmusic @jussgram for helping me bring the project to life 🙏🏽 taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @itsjulianmack

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2 months ago

Wild times. #adopteevoices #punchthemonkey #adoptee taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @itsjulianmack

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8 months ago

Another trip around the sun ☀️
Now, all I feel is thankfulness.
For timing I didn’t understand.
For people I once only dreamed of knowing.
For faith that led me here gently, quietly, right where I was meant to be. #Adoptees #adopteevoices #adoption taken in Oakland, California by @itsjulianmack

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a year ago

Even the Palace of Versailles started as a Hunter’s House! Beat by @jbakelimitless 🙌🏽 taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @itsjulianmack

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16 days ago

My guys 🫱🏽‍🫲🏾 sounds by @jbakelimitless taken in Ponce City Market by @itsjulianmack

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17 days ago

Create something this week! A melody from an archive

Creating daily is good for the soul. Letting yourself just be in a space where you can do anything, freely. Authentic creativity knows no bounds. We’re all creative in our own way.

Creativity keeps me sane taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @itsjulianmack

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19 days ago

It’s hard to verbalize feelings you’re still unpacking. As an adoptee the idea of being grateful was unintentionally instilled in me from childhood. This idea of being overwhelmingly grateful turned into multiple things, one being, prioritizing other people’s feelings over mine, especially those involved in the situation.

It was left unchecked for years and ultimately turned into people pleasing. Not something I’m proud of. Fast forward to now, I see its impact, I’m aware of it, and that internal dialogue cuts on to say, “ah hold on, that’s childhood.”

We learn, unpack, and keep hiking.

#adopteevoices #adoptee #blackadoptee taken in Ponce City Market by @itsjulianmack

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22 days ago

New view, 2025 journal entry, full circle moment, YOU’RE RIGHT WHERE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE and present isn’t permanent

#adopteevoices #adoptee #blackadoptee taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @itsjulianmack

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a month ago

My brother T told me sometimes the mind has to tell the body no.

My body can feel anxious about certain interactions, and before I know it, I’m psychoanalyzing and overthinking everything. My mind has become the reinforcement, the reminder that I’m safe and okay to express myself, share my thoughts, and have differing opinions without fearing that acceptance will be taken away.

#adopteevoices #adoptee #blackadoptee taken in San Francisco, California by @itsjulianmack

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a month ago

Wanted to give y’all the sibling order, oldest to youngest, on my biological Mom side. Haters’ll say it’s inaccurate.

Me
Twins @j4yfrancis purple dress & @injohnyoutrust next to me
@zayfadeaway_ far right
@moneyjaaay next to @zayfadeaway_
@kingamongstothers next to @injohnyoutrust
@IGlessbekah - in the middle smh taken in Oakland, California by @itsjulianmack

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a month ago

A couple of women I chased, a couple of women I’ll never replace taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @itsjulianmack

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a month ago

Similar circumstances with different experiences.

An adoptee meet up ft. my sister 🖤

I had a great time connecting with other adoptees at the Black Girl Art Show. It’s eye opening meeting folks who’ve had their own black swan event with a unique experience.

There’s always more to learn in the adoptee space. You hear stories carrying every emotion imaginable; the highs, the lows, the anger, the gratitude, the grief, the curiosity, and everything in between. No two stories land the same, but pieces, of someone else’s story feel like your own.

Shoutout to @annab_living for giving me such a warm welcome to the space! Much love 🖤 taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @itsjulianmack

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a month ago