Building a Life as a Musician

As part of our ongoing series on artistic practice and sustainability, this conversation brings together soulful storyteller Fatima, viral indie star MINOVA, and percussionist, composer, and Balimaya Project bandleader, Yahael Camara Onono, as they reflect on the realities of building a life and career as a musician.

Drawing from their individual experiences, the discussion will explore collaboration, visibility, creative development, navigating local and international scenes, and the opportunities and challenges artists currently face while working in the country.

Fatima

Fatima Bin Safwan, better known as FAFA, is an artist from Abu Dhabi with roots in both the UAE and Honduras. Her artistry centers on upliftment and the empowerment of self. Through sonic storytelling that weaves R&B and soul with an Arabian jazz blend, she guides listeners toward truth and peace from within.

Her current project, The Veiled Essence, is a journey of unraveling the shame, guilt, and traumas built over years – the layers that shape who we become and keep parts of us hidden out of protection. The intention behind the work is to leave the listener feeling lighter, more self-assured, and closer to who they truly are. 

MINOVA

MINOVA’s self-produced debut single I Miss You So (2023) was an instant breakthrough - raw, emotional, and entirely her own. Written and recorded in her bedroom, the track resonated deeply with listeners, earning her a spot as the cover of Spotify’s Fresh Finds Indie, and over 12 million streams to date. Vulnerable yet self-assured, she proved that a 19-year-old could reach hearts around the world by doing it all by herself. Her follow-up single If You Were Mine, struck a similar chord and helped build a loyal fan base, especially across North America. The success of both singles led to a signing with New York label Thrice Cooked (Pink Sweat$, Kirby), with whom she released a series of songs that were later compiled into her collection It’s Too Quiet in 2024.

Over the past year, she has performed in Vienna, Milan, and Dubai, developing a stripped-down acoustic set that brings her songwriting even closer to the audience. She also opened for emerging Canadian pop star Alexander Stewart and appeared at the international festival SOLE DXB. She’s currently working on new songs, some of which are drawn from these live acoustic moments, while others continue the melancholic style she’s known for.

With a family heritage rooted in Arabia and the Philippines, MINOVA is a Gen Z artist who could have emerged from any bedroom around the world. An Indie electronic producer with a folkish soul, her rare voice set her apart in a generation that values emotional depth, but rarely delivers it this sincerely.

Yahael Camara Onono

Yahael Camara Onono is a percussionist, composer, musical director, educator, and cultural producer whose work bridges traditional West African music, diasporic legacies, and contemporary global expression.

As the founder and bandleader of the award-winning Balimaya Project, Yahael has been celebrated internationally for redefining diasporic African music in the UK and beyond. The ensemble fuses Mandé musical heritage with London’s vibrant contemporary jazz, hip-hop, and orchestral scenes, creating a sound that is both deeply rooted and boldly innovative.

Beyond performance, Yahael’s practice extends into creative direction and intercultural production. He has collaborated with leading cultural institutions, including The Barbican Centre — where he made history as its first ever contemporary artist-in-residence — The White Cube Gallery (for artist Ibrahim Mahama), and the V&A Museum. His performances and curatorial projects have featured at major international festivals such as WOMAD, SXSW (Austin, Texas), Jazz à Vienne, and the Montreux Jazz Festival, alongside sold-out headline performances at the Barbican Centre (2021, 2023, 2025), La Grande Halle de la Villette, Paris (2023), and other leading UK and European venues.

As an educator and mentor, Yahael has facilitated masterclasses, lectures, and workshops worldwide, sharing his expertise in Mandé rhythmic systems, ensemble leadership, and diasporic musical storytelling. He has delivered guest professorships at the prestigious New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), where he has been Artist-in-Residence since January 2026.

Yahael’s collaborative work spans genres and generations, including projects with Davido, Odumodublvck, Obongjayar, Anaïs, Salif Keita, and Pa Salieu. His film and soundtrack credits include compositions for Disney’s Mufasa (2024), Disney’s Iwaju (2024), and the Roundhouse Film Project (2023).

Throughout his career, Yahael has remained dedicated to community-building and the preservation of cultural memory through music, using rhythm, melody, and storytelling as powerful tools for education, dialogue, and transformation across cultures.