Ruben's formative years were forever altered by a pivotal event in 1990, the separation of his parents, which precipitated a relocation from his birthplace of Amsterdam, Holland, where he was born to his American mother, Heidi Snellman, and Dutch father, Rajendra Bansie. This significant change was accompanied by his sister, as they collectively made the transition to the United States, ultimately settling in Portland, Oregon, where his mother established a career in the music industry. This exposure had a profound and lasting impact on Ruben's life, as he frequently accompanied his mother to concerts and music festivals, thereby fostering a deep and abiding appreciation for the art form.
Ruben's academic journey traversed diverse educational landscapes, as he attended alternative arts schools in both the Northwestern and Southeastern regions of Portland, prior to transitioning to high school in the Northeastern part of the city.
