Local teen’s Make-A-Wish brings his music to Atlanta airwaves on World Wish Day

ATLANTA — For 19-year-old Gabe Ediagbonya, music has always been more than a hobby. It is how he processes life, especially the hardest parts.

“I love that I get to put my feelings in a song,” Gabe said. “And like that, other people can feel what I am feeling, and if they don’t, they can still jam to it.”

Gabe has been living with sickle cell disease since he was a child.

“Sickle cell is real tough, ever since I was growing up,” he said.

Through hospital visits and difficult days, he kept writing, holding onto a dream that one day people would hear his music.

That dream became his wish.

“When I found out I got Make-A-Wish, I was like, I get that?! I get Make-A-Wish?! I knew I wanted to use it to my fullest potential,” Gabe said.

With help from Make-A-Wish Georgia, Gabe turned that wish into a moment he will not forget — recording his own song and hearing it played on the radio on World Wish Day.

The experience included time in the studio with Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy.

“I got to meet Mr. Jeezy, make a song, that was pretty crazy,” Gabe said. “Being in the studio with Jeezy, it was a whole new experience. He is wise in the music area.”

For Gabe, sharing that moment with his mom made it even more meaningful.

“My mom is the star of my universe; she helped me with everything,” he said. “Me and my mom came up with what to say.”

His song debuted on Power 105.3, where on-air personality Antionette Miller said the moment is one even seasoned artists never forget.

“For really big artists that come in, they still gush about what a big deal it was to hear their song on the radio,” she said. “So just to have something you’ve put time, effort and work into, it’s such a surreal feeling.”

She added with a smile, “I can just say whenever he’s famous, that I was his first stop.”

Leaders with Make-A-Wish say moments like this are about more than just the experience itself.

“We know these kids experience so much, and a lot of it is what they don’t get to choose,” said Kayley Ripley, a senior wish coordinator. “And a wish is something they do get to choose.”

Ripley said Gabe’s decision to share his music publicly reflects both his passion and his purpose.

“Gabe chose to share his music and talent with us and make his radio debut, which I know will continue to provide hope and opportunity in his journey,” she said.

For Gabe, this is just the beginning.

“With or without anybody, I am going to make it, regardless, I know I will,” he said.

He hopes people who hear his music take something personal from it.

“I want people to feel like they have a chance,” Gabe said. “Like their dreams can always be achieved, no matter how old or young you are… because I am going to do it.”