DOMELGABOR: FREEDOM - A Chill Neo-Soul Journey

"FREEDOM" by @domelgabor

DOMELGABOR: FREEDOM - A Chill Neo-Soul Journey

“FREEDOM” by Domelgabor is a genre-blending song that fuses a chill Neo-Soul and R&B groove with smooth, soft rap and mellow hip-hop over a deep, gravelly male vocal.

The song's theme highlights that true freedom comes not from ownership but from letting go. Possessing things creates an illusion of freedom, while real liberation is found in release.

Freedom or the Power of Letting Go of Possessions

The idea that material possessions symbolize freedom is a modern contradiction. We often chase wealth and belongings, thinking they grant us autonomy. Yet, every item—from a home to a vehicle—demands time, money, and care for maintenance. In the end, the things we acquire often turn into physical and mental barriers to freedom.

Owning possessions involves a trade-off. You spend physical and mental effort, along with financial resources, to maintain, insure, and upgrade them. Instead of providing options, possessions gradually limit your ability to move freely.

Possessions may offer a brief thrill, but they quickly become routine. This leads to a cycle of desire, acquisition, and longing for the next upgrade, tying your happiness to constant consumption.

Many mistakenly equate their possessions with their identity. When you base your self-worth on external status symbols, you become enslaved to others' opinions and the fear of losing your perceived status.

Philosophical and mindfulness traditions, like Stoicism and Advaita, propose that ownership is an illusion because everything is temporary. True freedom is attained not by accumulating possessions but by letting go of attachment to the material world.

When you release the urge to own, you find mental lightness. You can appreciate the world's beauty and use necessary tools without the weight of possessiveness and the fear of loss.

Psychologically, inner freedom comes from self-awareness, discipline, and taking responsibility for your choices. If you don’t need something and can’t afford it, don’t get it! It’s that simple!

But don’t get me wrong. I’m not judging those who own a home or a car. If they can afford them, why not? It’s a dream for many.

Personally, I can’t afford either right now. My priorities are focused on my kids, their well-being, and their education. Yet, who knows? Maybe in the next 4-5 years, I’ll be able to afford one or both.

In this song, I criticize those who chase possessions to boost status and ego, often taking on large loans that diminish their freedom. If they were less driven by ego and more rational, their lives would be easier. Letting go of possessions brings freedom to mind and body.

The Idea Behind the Song

The inspiration for this song came from a recent conversation with an Uber driver. We discussed how expensive it is to buy a house or even a car these days.

Here in Hong Kong, where I live, the average property price ranges from approximately HK$13,000 to HK$16,000 per square foot (saleable area). This translates to an average apartment price of HK$7 million to HK$12 million (US$893,000–US$1.5M), varying heavily by district and unit size.

In the US, the average price for a decent house is around US$430,000 (roughly HK$3,370,000 or Euros 372,700).

The average price for a typical commuter car (like a Toyota or Honda) generally falls between HK$240,000 and HK$395,000 (between US$30,000 and US$50,000, or between Euros 26,500 and Euros 43,600).

As I mentioned, I can’t afford either option right now. My priorities are elsewhere for the next few years. I even wonder if I’ll ever be able to afford either, as I don’t have savings and don’t earn enough. Banks are cautious these days about lending to people like me who lack savings and collateral.

Even if my parents were to pass away in the next 10-20 years (the later, the better), they live in France, where inheritance taxes are quite high.

By law, each child has a tax-free allowance of €100,000. Any amount exceeding this is taxed on a progressive sliding scale from 5% up to 45%.

For example, if a parent leaves a single child an inheritance worth €150,000, you deduct the allowance of €100,000. The taxable capital is now €50,000.

Here’s how the progressive tax sliding works:

• Band 1 (5%): The first €8,072 is taxed at 5% = €403.60.

• Band 2 (10%): The next amount up to €12,109 (an interval of €4,037) is taxed at 10% = €403.70.

• Band 3 (15%): The next amount up to €15,932 (an interval of €3,823) is taxed at 15% = €573.45.

• Band 4 (20%): The remaining balance (€50,000 - €15,932 = €34,068) falls into the 20% bracket = €6,813.60.

  
  

Total Tax Owed: €403.60 + €403.70 + €573.45 + €6,813.60 = €8,194.35.

The effective tax percentage on that €50,000 taxable amount is 16.39%.

At first glance, it might not seem significant. However, given inflation and the rising cost of living, paying the €8,134.35 tax today could be challenging for most people. This amount is based on a house valued at €150,000; if the house were more expensive, the tax would be even higher.

If you can’t pay the French inheritance tax on a house, the tax authority (Service des Impôts) will charge interest and penalties. You can apply for deferred payment, pay in installments, or ask the notary (Notaires de France) to delay the sale.

If taxes aren’t paid within six months of the death (or 12 months if the deceased died outside France), the state charges interest at 0.20% per month (2.4% annually). A 10% penalty applies if the delay exceeds six months. The tax office (Trésor Public) places a legal charge on the property, which can lead to its seizure and auction to recover the debt.

To summarize, due to various factors (COVID-19, inflation, wars, the global economy, the geopolitical climate, etc.), it has become incredibly difficult for most people to afford a house or even a car, let alone save money—all under the pressure of possibly losing their jobs as AI, robotics, and technology rapidly take over.

But I’m moving away from the original subject; you get my point.

Who Knows What the Future Holds?

During my conversation with the Uber driver, he asked, "You're in your 50s and have lived in HK for 15 years. Do you own a home or a car?" I replied, "No, I can’t afford either, and I don’t miss it! On the contrary, I feel free. If a good job opportunity arises elsewhere, I can leave everything behind and go since I own nothing! Now, that’s freedom! (with less worry in mind). You can’t do that when you own an apartment, a house, a car, or anything else that would constrain you."

Of course, I’m saying this now, in my early 50s, knowing that getting older and facing fewer opportunities will eventually push me to settle somewhere. If I have the money, I’ll consider buying a place to retire. If I find the right spot, I’ll change my mind and perspective, and I’ll surely love to be an owner if I can.

Will See What the Future Brings

I’ve always dreamed of owning (if I can one day) and living in a place close to the ocean, the sea, and the mountains. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Bordeaux (France), about an hour from the ocean and roughly three hours from the Pyrenees, where I spent most of my youth’s vacations.

As I mentioned, I’ve been living in Hong Kong for the past 15 years because life here is peaceful and secure. The landscape ideally combines urban life with the immediate proximity of the sea and the mountains, which I love.

Even in central Hong Kong, you’re never more than a 15- to 20-minute walk from the sea or the mountains. You can easily escape the busy urban lifestyle in minutes. It’s quite unique. I don’t know of many places in the world that offer that. You can also find this type of place in countries along the Mediterranean coasts.

Most weekends when I’m free, I go for a long bike ride, often ending up trekking in the mountains with my bike on my shoulder or on a beach at the end of a winding path. I enjoy working in a big city surrounded by nature, without the worry of owning a house, a car, or anything else. That’s life! That’s freedom to me!

That’s my way of thinking now, and maybe it will change over the years. However, when I see the rise in violence, crime, theft, and robbery in most countries around the world, I’m glad I don’t own anything and live as simply as possible. It gives me mental freedom and choice without the stress, anxiety, and hassles that come with ownership.

Lyrics

"FREEDOM" @domelgabor Lyrics

Hey, you!

Look at you!

People envy you!

They want to be like you!

Have the same things as you

And do what you do!

It makes you feel good!

It makes you feel strong!

It makes you feel proud!

It makes you feel powerful!

They think you've got everything

The house, the car, the life, the ring

But I think you're missing something

That would make you live like a king!

You feel it at home

Seated on your throne

Hooked to your gold n' phone

You're missing freedom!

You wish you could be like me!

You wish you could be free!

So, drop all your belongings

And let go of everything!

Your house? Drop it! You don't need it

For what? Your whole life, racking up for it

Always something to change, pay, or repair

In the end, it's just a crib of taxes for robbers

Your car? Drop it! You don't need it!

For what? Gas, parking, and tickets!

Repairs, insurance, tolls, fines, and fees!

In the end, it's just a ride to stress and anxiety!

Yeah, it feels good to be an owner

The house, the car, the life of a loaner!

Hooked to everything you own

Yet you're still missing freedom!

You wish you could be like me!

You wish you could be free!

So just drop everything!

Fly with your own wings!

Look at me. I don't own anything

No car, no home, no watch, no ring!

All these things that supposedly matter!

People say I've got no life; I'm a loser!

But I see things differently

As I live my life with less worry

I can leave everything, even the country

Because I have nothing to lose, I'm totally free

I see it when you look at me

That's what you envy in me!

Despite everything you own

You're still missing freedom!

You wish you could be like me!

You wish you could be free!

So, stop being materialistic!

And be a bit more realistic!

Having a home and a car is convenient

Yet owning things makes you dependent

Paying taxes and fees to the government

Plus, all your debts and bank repayments

You think possession equals freedom

While living the life in your kingdom

But in fact, you've grown tired and bored

As you're stuck living in this household

While you've dreamed of traveling the world

Under these constraints, you're overwhelmed

I'm not judging, and I don't blame you

As indeed, I might have done the same, too

But I couldn't afford this lifestyle on my salary

I made my life, my kids, and my wife a priority

Owning a home and a car wasn't a possibility

Yet I don't miss it; on the contrary, I feel free

True freedom is control over your money and time

To achieve balance in life and peace of mind

Taking on large loans and feeding into the rat race

Essentially, it makes you a slave to your own success

Trading your personal freedom for stress and anxiety

Leaves you unable to take risks or live spontaneously

Tied to possessions, both financially and emotionally

Ask yourself: Is there freedom in all this? Not really!

It's obvious when you look at me

And you realize I'm worry-free

That despite everything you own

You still can't buy your freedom!

I wish you could be like me!

And I wish you could be free!

But you've fallen into consumerism

And you can't escape the system!

So, you got a ring, a watch, a car, a home…

But despite all you have, where is your freedom?

Your possessions might elevate your place

But they cannot cure emptiness or loneliness

In the end, you may have more than many

But as far as I can see, you're not happy

They say: A man with nothing to lose is dangerous

I'll say: A man with nothing knows that freedom is precious

A man who has everything has nothing if he doesn't have love

But even love comes with a price compared to freedom

Lyrics: Dominique B S Noel (aka DOMELGABOR)

Music and voice(s): SUNO (AI-generated)

Where to Listen to It?

"FREEDOM" by @domelgabor is available on various music platforms:

YouTube: Listen here

Spotify: Listen here

Tidal: Listen here

Apple Music: Listen here

Amazon Music: Listen Here

And soon on most music platforms.

Your Support Means Everything

I hope you enjoy this song as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Thank you for your continued support and for listening to my music! It means the world to me!

Peace! And Freedom!

Dom

@domelgabor #domelgabor @domelgabor_music #domelgabor_music #freedom #neosoul #R&B #randb #softrap #mellowhiphop #groove #newsong #newrelease #music #song #track #lifeadvice #life #lifeexperience

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