Who’s who of the top Emirati and UAE-based bands and singers
With the local music scene growing rapidly, fans in the UAE are in for a treat. From unique and impressive Emirati talent to incredible musicians from different countries — there is an array of established and up-and-coming artists in the region. Want to know more? Here’s our guide to the best bands and singers in the UAE.
POPULAR EMIRATI ARTISTS IN THE UAE
They say, ”music is the wine that fills the cup of silence” and Emirati musicians certainly echo this statement with stellar performances influenced by their culture, history and heritage.
BALQEES AHMED FATHI
Starting our list of bands and singers in the UAE is Balqees Ahmed Fathi (aka Balqees Fathi), one of the most popular Emirati singers around. She belongs to an artistic family. If we say music is in her genes, it wouldn’t be wrong as her father Ahmed Fathi was a well-known singer too!
She developed an interest in music at an early age. As she grew older, the singer decided to pursue a career in music professionally.
Her first album, Majnoun was released in 2013 through Rotana Records, followed by her second studio album, Zai Ma Ana in 2015. She also released a themed video, called World Chants Zayed, on the 40th National Day of the UAE.
You can find a wax figure of the popular singer in Madame Tussauds Dubai.
ABDULLAH BILKHAIR
Another Emirati crooner who has sparked seismic excitement in the UAE’s local music scene is Abdullah Bilkhair (also spelt as Abdulla/Abdallah Belkheir/Bulkher).
Abdullah started his career working as a comedian and monologuist but later enrolled himself at the Egyptian Arab Music Institute in Cairo. There, he drew the attention of famous Egyptian composer, Baligh Hamdy, under the tutelage of whom, he started singing professionally. His most popular songs include Yalweil Yalweil and Zangibar. He has performed most recently at EXPO 2020.
YASSER HABIB
Yasser Habib is a popular cross-over Emirati artist, with expertise in hybrid Arabic music with Indian influences. He began his career in 1992 with studio production work for several local artists. It was later in 2000 when
he approached EMI Music Arabia for his mystical song, Elama — the one that that took off his career! His first album was released through EMI in 2001 and was an instant hit.
He was even presented a prestigious Gold Disc by EMI Music Arabia for fantastic sales of the album right after one week of its release. After the success of his first album, he was approached by numerous media outlets throughout the Middle East. Yasser Habib has appeared on many TV shows and is featured in major publications.
AHLAM AL SHAMSI
Ahlam bint Ali bin Hazeem Al Shamsi, commonly known as Ahlam, is one of the most well-known Emirati singers in the UAE. She has released 14 albums and numerous singles. Her most recent album is Love Of Your Eyes which was released in 2021.
Apart from singing, she has judged Arab Idol for three consecutive years as well as Season 4 of The Voice: Ahla Sawt music competition. She has participated in several festivals, including Layali Dubai, UNESCO Festival, Ledo Festival in France and Albert Hall Festival in the UK.
She has also been honoured across the MENA region and the USA for her contribution to the music industry.
MOST POPULAR BANDS IN THE UAE
Aside from Emirati artists, many local and international bands are based in the UAE. They wow their audience with swanky funk, jazz and gorgeous musical tones. Let’s learn about the who’s who of the top music bands based in the UAE.
AS PER CASPER
As Per Casper is a global band led by singer-songwriter Carla who collaborates with artists from the Arab region to create symphonic, uplifting numbers. The band uses multiple instruments, ranging from piano to guitar, darbuka and oud.
As Per Casper rose to prominence after they released their debut album, Hit The Ground in November 2016. The album became an instant hit, topping the iTunes Middle East charts and strengthening their position in the UAE’s music industry.
As Per Casper has performed at Fete De La Musique 2018 in Dubai Opera, the opening of Apple’s flagship store at The Dubai Mall and Expo 2020.
Their track, Fear has also graced the MegaStore’s Outloud Volume Compilation Album. The band is endorsed by the uber-popular audio products manufacturer, SHURE.
CARL & THE REDA MAFIA
Carl & The Reda Mafia is a Dubai-based band that was formed in 2014 as participants in the BandJam Battle of the Bands, a show in which they ultimately won first place. The band consists of four members including a singer, guitarist, drummer and bassist who originate from Nigeria, Egypt, Greece and India. The group creates music inspired by the themes of funk, blues, rock and roll.
Carl & The Reda Mafia has a large fan following in the UAE. They have performed in events like Dubai International Jazz Festival, Beats on the Beach, and Abu Dhabi Festival. They have even opened the show for Bon Jovi in 2015. Recently, they have been seen performing in EXPO 2020.
JAYE & FOE
Jaye & Foe is another brand based in Dubai, with roots in Australia, UAE and the UK. Their music has a Neo-swing story-telling style with ska, gipsy and reggae rhythms. They took to music after winning the 2016 Jack Daniels Music Scout competition, after which they released their first album called ‘Bad Reaction’.
Jaye & Foe has performed all across the UAE. In 2017, they had their first tour in the UK, with gigs at Boomtown Fair and Manchester (Night and Day Cafe).
The group has performed at events like Red Bull Music Academy Event, WhatsOn Awards and Dubai’s Music Festival, to name a few. Most recently, they have been seen mesmerising audiences at EXPO 2020.
NOON
NOON is a jazz fusion band including Mohamed Hosny, the oud player, Steve Bedford, the bassist and Ratish Chadha, the drummer. They play an “experimental oriental” style of music with hints of funky grooves, African and Indian percussive rhythms.
NOON has performed both locally and internationally. They have performed at events like Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, Magnetic Fields Festival in Rajasthan and NYUAD Arts Centre and Dubai Opera, EXPO 2020.
ABRI & FUNK RADIUS
Abri & Funk Radius is one of the popular bands based in the UAE led by frontman Hamdan Al-Abri. The band was formed in 2014 and has been a hit in the country since then. Abri & Funk Radius creates hybrid music with influences of neo-soul, reggae funk and R&B.
The band released its first single, Sunny Daze, in April 2017. It was an instant success.
Their tracks ‘Rebirth’ and ‘Falling’ have even been featured in hit TV shows in the US such as CSI and The Ringer.
Hamdan Al-Abri has also had the privilege of sharing a stage with Joss Stone, Arrested Development and Kanye West for a reprised version of the song, ”A Change is Gonna Come’ by Sam Cooke at Abu Dhabi Festival.
In 2013, Hamdan won a Dubai Music Week competition that won him a record deal with Quincy Jones.
VANDALYE
Vandalye is a UAE-based, three-piece acoustic and folksy trio that has made considerable buzz within a short time. The band was formed in 2015 in the UK, including vocalist Scott Attew and twins Thomas and Lucas McCone.
Shortly after the formation, the band released a five-track EP, From The Beginning, followed by Don’t Lie To Me in 2016 and Rly in 2018. Their first single, “Cigarettes and Minarets” was released in 2019. The song got everyone raving!
Vandalye also opened for Elton John at a show in Autism Rocks Arena organised as a part of the Red Bull Opening Act Initiative in 2017. They also set the stage for Newton Faulkner in an event that took place in PizzaExpress Live at Business Bay in 2018.
THE BOXTONES
The Boxtones is a Scottish Canadian band that started as a bar band before making a space for themselves in the mainstream. They are based in Dubai and released their first album In The Pocket Of Clowns in 2014. Popular singles from the album include U.F.O and After All is Said and Done.
The Boxtones has performed at many high-profile concerts alongside international superstars like Jason Derulo, Richard Ashcroft, Pharrell Williams and The Ting Tings, to name a few. In February 2015, they signed a deal with Universal Music Group for the MENA region.
During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, they performed at Dubai Opera — singing hit songs from two albums as well as a few unreleased numbers.
HOLLAPHONIC
Hollaphonic is a dance music duo that has got fans raving in and beyond Dubai. With members Olly Wood and Greg Stainer, the band is the first electric music production duo to sign for a major record label in the Middle East.
Hollaphonic released their first single, I Don’t Want It to End from Universal Music Group in February 2013. It topped the charts on iTunes and was listed ‘A’ on all record stations in the UAE.
Following the success of the single, they released their debut album, Personal Space, which also reached the top spot in the iTunes dance chart.
So far, they have released several singles as well as remixes and performed at many events — including the Formula One after-race concert in Abu Dhabi and Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan Racecourse.
MOST SOULFUL SINGERS IN THE UAE
Apart from bands, you can find famous singers in the UAE whose appealing performances sparked a craze globally as well.
ALEKSANDRA KRSTIC
Aleksandra Krstic is a Serbian singer and songwriter who has explored multiple genres of music. From classical to pop, you can find an array of soulful renditions by the singer.
Aleksandra Krstic has performed across the UAE and Europe. Now, she is working as a freelance musician in Dubai, with an EXPO 2020 performance to her credit.
SERGIO CATALAN
Sergio Catalan is a Chilean musician, currently based in Dubai. He has been exercising his musical prowess across the Emirates since 2007. His work is an exploration of various genres of music including Latin, pop and flamenco. Like many other artists, he writes his own songs as well.
The singer released his first album, Desde el Sur in 2016, a music compilation of his all tracks from Latin to romantic ballads. He has performed at Dubai Opera and most recently at EXPO 2020.
RONY SARKIS
Rony is a singer-songwriter, with experience in performing a range of genres from rock to pop. The singer is known for his soothing voice, perfectly augmented by the tunes of the acoustic guitar.
Rony sings a combination of covers and personal creations. He released his first single, Fields of Green in February 2021.
So far, the singer performed at local shows across Dubai. The most popular of them include The Fridge at Al Serkal Avenue, JBR Street Beats and the Yard Sessions.
Last year, he got a chance to perform at the world’s biggest cultural event, EXPO 2020.
JAYMIE DEVILLE
Jaymie Deville is a modern R&B artist currently living in Dubai. He likes to fiddle with vibrational rhythms and bass beats to create soulful music. He participated in X Factor Australia 2014 and became a finalist in the competition. A few years after the competition, he released his debut EP True Love in 2020.
Jaymie has generated quite a buzz in Dubai’s music scene performing at popular venues like Irish Village, Soho Garden, Nobu in Atlantis Hotel and EXPO 2020.
Deville is most commonly known for his song The Room which received over a million listens on Spotify.
IYAD RIMAWI
Iyad Rimawi is a Syrian songwriter, composer and producer based in the UAE. His compositions are hybrid with hints of classical and oriental music. Iyad has lent his vocals in soundtracks for popular TV series like Godfather and Nadam.
The singer has toured and performed in many concerts in the MENA region as well as 20 US States during the Culture for Peace Project. He even won a Peace Prize from the UN in 2005.
The singer’s most memorable performance was at a live concert called ‘Love Letters from Damascus’ in Dubai Opera. He had an entire orchestra to accompany him as he wowed the audience with some of his greatest hits like Al Nadam, Alharamlek and Masafit Aman.
Most recently, Iyad has been seen performing in EXPO 2020.
FATINIZA
Fatiniza is a Colombian Latin-pop singer/songwriter who started her career in 2010 in Dubai with her debut album, Confusion. The album put her in the limelight. She has won multiple awards and nominations for her singing talents.
After the success of the first album she released a second one, Nothing is Impossible. Currently, she is working on her third album, Historias, in which she has released songs like Como Niños and The Mask.
Additionally, the singer has performed at Dubai International Jazz Festival and Formula 1 Grand Prix Finals in Abu Dhabi. Her biggest inspiration is the hugely popular Colombian singer, Shakira.
DINA STARS
Dina Stars is a self-taught Jordanian vocalist/songwriter with expertise in modern pop and R&B with a speciality in contemporary pop and R&B. She has been writing songs from a very young age. Oftentimes, she sings her own numbers at gigs. Her original songs include Heart Away, You, and Kill My Summer.
She has performed shows at Dubai Media Centre Amphitheatre, Mother of Nation Festival in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and EXPO 2020’s ‘One year to go’ ceremony.
Apart from the mentioned bands and singers in the UAE, you can look forward to these up-and-coming musical talents.
- Sultan Saif
- Tsvet Reptilia
- Sandwash
- Alpha Kenny Buddy
- Aramaic
- Mehad Hamad
- Empty Yard Experiment
- Harmonic Rush
- Dion Mavath
- Rowaida/Ruwaida al-Mahrouqi
- Nervecell
- Aman Sheriff
FAQs ABOUT BANDS AND SINGERS IN THE UAE
WHAT ARE THE TOP BANDS AND SINGERS IN THE UAE?
Well, you can’t just name one. It totally depends on your personal preferences. The most popular bands and singers in the UAE include As Per Casper, Aleksandra Krstic, Rony Sarkis, Noon and Jaye & Foe.
ARE THERE ANY DUBAI FEMALE SINGERS WORTH LISTENING TO?
Yes, there are many! Balqees Ahmed and Ahlaam are popular Emirati singers. Aleksandra Krstic, Dina Stars and Fatiniza are famous musicians from other countries who are currently based in the UAE.
ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING CONCERTS IN DUBAI?
Not just one, many! You can check out these music concerts in Dubai in 2022.
That concludes our guide to the bands and singers based in the UAE — known for their powerful vocals, melodious renditions and charismatic performances. Aside from these concerts, you can check out other events happening in Dubai in March 2022. From entertainment to sports, there is an array of events and festivals to look forward to!
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