The UAE is bursting with talented female musicians, and ahead of International Women’s Day (which falls on Monday March 8) we’re profiling the top women in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi music scene.
And while there’s no live music at the moment, these women should be on your radar for their contribution to what’s an amazing industry here in the UAE.
From DJs to singers and more, check out the female acts that you need to have saved on your Spotify to-listen to list.
Balqees
With a father who was a big name in the Yemeni music scene, going into show business was probably the obvious choice for Balqees Fathi. Having learned to sing and play musical instruments from a young age, the 32-year-old artist released her debut album Majnoun in 2013 before her second studio album, Zai Ma Ana, hit the shelves in 2015. Earning a star on the walkway of the Dubai Stars, Balqees launched her own beauty line in late 2020.
@balqeesfathi, balqees.com
Carla Saad
Bringing together western and eastern musical influences, As Per Casper’s lead singer gives rich, full-blooded performances in every song. Of Syrian-Palestinian origin, and the group’s debut album rocketed to the top of the iTunes Middle East charts back in November 2016.
@aspercasper, www.aspercasper.com
DJ Burlene
Spinning decks since 2012, DJ Burlene has diversified from hip-hop and R&B to a more open-style format. The dance floor is always full when she is charged with the music at Club Seven in Dubai and Cheers nightclub Abu Dhabi.
@djburlene, www.djburlene.com
DJ Don’t Touch My Hair
Fatma Al Bakry (otherwise known as Novemberus or DJ Don’t Touch My Hair) is serving up some serious holiday vibes with her latest track, Island Isolation. Based between Dubai and Muscat, the talented DJ is also well-known for her cool fashion looks and fashion photography.
www.instagram.com/novemberus.
DJ Natalie Brogan
The Manchester native has earned numerous nominations from Time Out for her phenomenal sets that have captivated partygoers in the UAE for more than ten years. Starting her career as a 16-year-old, Brogan has gone on to share the stage with DJ royalty such as Fatboy Slim and David Guetta. Brogan has held residencies in a number of the UAE’s top-end party establishments.
@djnataliebrogan.
DJ Sara G
With more than 20 years’ experience and having rocked sets in more than 25 countries, DJ Sara G is a legend on the decks. Renowned for being able to master any genre from vocal funky house to hard trance, she’s known for her hard but happy music style.
@djsarag.
DJ Queen Bri
Bringing a natural femininity and fierceness to the nightlife scene of Dubai, DJ Queen Bri gets the party pumping with powerful sets that include genres such as Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, Arabic, Asian, pop and reggae.
@thedjqueenbri, www.thedjqueenbri.com
Fafa
Winner of Yasalam’s emerging talent in 2018, the Emirati-Honduran singer and songwriter based in Abu Dhabi has a passion for deep storytelling. Working abroad in Chicago, Fafa fell in love with the blues, which has been a major influence on her work to date. Her first single, Runnin’ (Can’t Stop Me) is about motivating yourself.
@fafamusic.
Ghaliaa
Bursting onto the music scene in 2018 with the R&B rocker Why, Ghaliaa Chaker’s raspy vocals have become a regular on the airwaves in the UAE. Born in Syria, the 22-year-old composer, singer and record producer, is an expert at drums, guitar and piano, while she also performs in multiple languages including English and Arabic.
@ghaliaaoffical, www.ghaliaaofficial.com.
Laura Ingham
Having learnt her craft in London including a residency with Quaglino’s in Mayfair, Ingham moved to Dubai in 2015 and has quickly established as one of the top acts in the UAE having performed at the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai World Cup and F1 Grand Prix with her swing and jazz band The Swing Revue who won Time Out Dubai’s Best Bar Band in 2018, as well as opening for Alicia Keys at the Emirates Jazz Festival. Most recently she performed at Dubai Opera’s Santa Baby big band jazz show.
@lauraindxb, www.lauraingham.com
Layla Kardan
The Iranian singer is the perfect example of chasing your dreams. After a decade-long career in the corporate world, Layla Kardan, stepped away from the security and went to fulfill her artistic goals. She’s now based in Dubai and is known for the sound of jazz and soul music with a Middle Eastern influence. Her 2020 EP release Abscission, is a four-song ode to woman staying true to who they are.
@laylakardan, www.laylakardan.com.
Megatronic
One of Dubai’s favourite DJs, founder of Femxle First Sessions, talent manager and all-round powerhouse, Megatronic needs no introduction. Her latest single ‘From A Distance’ was just released a few days ago so make sure to check out it and show some support.
@megatronicuk.
michele
R&B and neo soul singer michele incorporates different styles into her music and her smooth, silky voice will leave you swooning. Listen to her latest single ‘All for me’ (which she also wrote herself FYI) and thank us later.
@listentomichele.
Noush Like Sploosh
In Hollywood, the term triple threat is used to describe an artist who is the all-round package. A songwriter, a visual artist and filmmaker, it is fair to say Noush Like Sploosh would do justice to the term. Through masters the various roles, her work is a throwback when storytelling was a true art form. Nominated for Best Foreign Short at the AniMazing Spotlight festival in California for 3 Act Circus, a stop-motion animated music video. Noush Like Sploosh has seen her work screened at the Film Festival in Dubai and the Gold Lions festival in Swaziland.
@noushlikesploosh, www.noush-like-spoolsh.com.
Shébani
Dubai-based singer-songwriter and performer Sarah Shébani was born and raised in the UAE and is now making waves in the music scene. Having performed at top gigs including Sole DXB, Wasla and The Fridge concert series, the Iraqi R&B singer tells stories through her songs and is an advocate for self-love and positivity.
@shebanimusic.
Tala Samman
The Dubai-based DJ and influencer went into a different stratosphere when she duetted with Dua Lipa in Abu Dhabi in 2018. Originally from Syria, Tala Samman is a well-known face on the Dubai DJ circuit. Graduating from the London College of Fashion in Fashion Media and Communication Studies, Samman is almost as well known for fashion and beauty blogging with more than 100,000 followers on her Instagram account.
@myfashdiary.
Yas
Yas’ Instagram page is full of awesome dance routines and powerful ballad-covers from her home. Having founded the Yas & Music Dance’ complex were artistic hopefuls can learn to sing and dance, the sky is the limit for the 20-year-old who released the popular Not That Girl last summer.
@yasvocals
