The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi Podcast | Powered by afikra

There is no border for the culture. We sit down with Samir Inal, founder and percussionist, and Mehdi Chaib, saxophonist and percussionist of the Franco-Algerian brass ensemble Fanfaraï, recorded in partnership with The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi. Together, they walk through the roots of North African street music, tracing how traditional Zorna double-reed melodies shifted into full brass arrangements, how forgotten Algerian Raï compositions from Oran carry revolutionary and anti-colonial history, and how sub-Saharan Gnawa and Diwan healing trance rhythms cross the desert to shape regional sounds.00:00 Introduction01:02 Translating Music Across Borders06:28 Deconstructing the Zorna and Double-Reed Heritage09:12 Street Music, Brotherhoods, and Ceremonial Traditions16:30 Evolving from Brass Ensemble to Stage Band18:39 Chaabi Rhythms and the Concept of Borderless Culture26:38 The Intersections of Raï, Brass, and Afro-Cuban Sounds32:25 Festival Energies and Censorship in Performance34:50 Trance Rhythms, Healing, and Sub-Saharan Roots43:59 Preparing for the Abu Dhabi StageFanfaraï offers a truly human, musical, and cultural experience. These nine musicians of various cultural backgrounds revisit, in their own ways, the tradition of festive wanderings. This original band, born in 2005 and based in France, plays North African music by blending skillfully traditional percussions, brass, Arab-Berber, Afro-Cuban, Latin, and Jazz sounds. From the street to the stage, there is just one step for this colorful orchestra, which offers a very festive and generous show. Fanfaraï emerged in 2005 under the direction of Samir Inal. After creating Ziyara, a traditional Algerian street band in 2000, he met with musicians coming from jazz and salsa bands and decided to reconfigure with them the traditional and popular repertoire of a brass band. Fanfaraï goes along the same line as the tradition of these street orchestras, called 'Idbalen' or 'Zernadjia', that animated rituals and feasts in Algeria from the beginning of the century till the 1970s. The band's third album Raï is not dead! was released in 2018. The leitmotif of the band is 'to learn from one another and to share with all.'Connect with Fanfaraï 👉 https://instagram.com/fanfarai_big_band Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD ARTS CENTER PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMbTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Choreographer and artistic director Fouad Boussouf traces his path from listening to hip-hop and regional Arab music in the French suburbs to directing a national choreographic center. Influenced by North African heritage, contemporary dance, and circus arts, he explores how non-verbal expression allows him to address social commentary, immigration, and spiritual identity through movement. Boussouf offers insights into his creative process and key productions, including his tribute to Oum Kalthoum and his acclaimed high-energy show Näss. The discussion examines how instinctive rhythm, Gnawa culture, and raw physical fatigue drive authentic performance on stage.00:00 Introduction00:32 Dual Musical Roots01:40 Hip-Hop Influences and Pop Icons03:55 Childhood Cassettes and French Suburbs08:12 Early Training from Circus to Dance10:19 Nostalgic Breakthroughs14:41 Overcoming Expectations18:44 Touring and First Projects27:34 Paying Tribute to Oum Kalthoum35:56 Popularizing Gnawa Culture41:48 The Origins and Themes of NässFouad Boussouf is a Moroccan-French choreographer, artistic director of Compagnie Massala, and since January 2022, director of Le Phare — Centre chorégraphique national du Havre Normandie. Born in a village near Moulay Idriss, Morocco, he moved to France at age seven and began hip hop as a teenager. He studied social sciences at the University of Paris XII, earned a DESS degree on hip hop, and founded Compagnie Massala at 27. His work is hybrid, without labels, and grounded in the hip hop movement vocabulary while drawing on Mediterranean, North African, and Arab musical and spiritual traditions. His works include Näss (People) (2018), Oüm (2020, an homage to Oum Kalthoum), After Fêu (2023), and Vïa (2023, created for the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève). He was honored with the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2022. Näss (People) receives its UAE Premiere at the NYUAD Arts Center on October 30, 2026.Connect with Fouad Boussouf 👉 https://www.lephare-ccn.fr Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD ARTS CENTER PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMbTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Navigating the intersection of institutional power, identity, and postcolonial discourse, artist and choreographer Youness Atbane examines how contemporary art spaces shape cultural narrative. Through performance works like Untitled 14 km and Waterproofed Artists, Atbane interrogates the elitism of the global art world while drawing on his roots in Moroccan pottery traditions and choreography to move beyond the limitations of spoken language. Blending speculative fiction with subtle humor, the discussion explores the Andalusian legacy, the politics of curation, and the true cost of artistic freedom.00:00 Introduction  02:30 Body Form and Translating Clay  08:33 Movement as a Universal Language  10:47 Urban Emergencies  15:50 Giving Form to the Unknown  17:33 Waterproofed Artists and Speculative Futures  20:41 Postcolonial Limits and Elitism  25:25 Navigating the Global Art Market  28:53 Audience Expectations in Berlin and Casablanca  31:45 Text Language and Humor in Performance  36:00 Untitled 14 km and Andalusian Legacy  37:44 The Imaginary Museum  44:00 Deconstructing the Star Curator  47:03 Rereading Golden Age PoetryYouness Atbane is born in 1982 and currently lives and works between Casablanca and Berlin. His artistic practice is based on a critical relationship to the fields of art, its actors and its geopolitics. He began to follow different programs and gained artistic experiences in the fields of performance and visual art in France, Morocco, Belgium, and Spain. In 2008, he took part in the Master performing art program EX E.R.CE08 at the CCN of Montpelier. In 2010, he graduated with a master in Art, Literature and Museology from the University of Nice. His practice consists of three areas: live performance as a space of reflection, installation making as an outcome of the performance act and photography and drawing as an archive. All three areas are interconnected and interdependent. He has exhibited his installations and performances at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Rome, the parallel project in the Venice Biennale in 2011, Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, the Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art Mohammed VI in Rabat, the Ostrale Biennale in Dresden, Headlands Center for the Arts in San Francisco, MassMOCA in Massachusetts, the British Museum, and MUCEM in Marseille. He received the ZKB Acknowledgement Prize in 2018.Connect with Youness Atbane 👉 https://www.instagram.com/atbane_youness/ Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD ARTS CENTER PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMbTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Master djembe player and composer, Yahael Camara Onono, discusses his musical journey and his mission to elevate West African percussion. Growing up in London, the djembe served as an umbilical cord to his Manding heritage, allowing him to blend traditional sounds with contemporary influences like grime and hip-hop. He founded the Balimaya Project in 2019 to challenge the pigeonholing of African music and to demonstrate that percussion can serve as a complex, leading melodic force rather than just an add-on. His work delves into personal and vulnerable themes, such as grieving for his late son through music, while also celebrating innovative collaborations with virtuosos like Egyptian oud player Abakary Kadry. For Onono, the djembe is a glue that brings people together, serving as a powerful symbol of identity and black pride. 00:00 Introduction 02:18 The Physical and Symbolic Essence of the Djembe 04:36 An Umbilical Cord to Heritage 07:22 Growing Up in the London Soundscape 10:52 Bridging Traditional Roots and Global Fusion 14:00 Reclaiming the Big Band Spirit 17:32 The Intricate Language of Percussion 20:00 Challenging the Pigeonholing of Art 23:55 Cultivating a New Mentality 28:13 Bridging Community and Education through Residence 33:28 Processing Grief and Vulnerability in the Studio 38:25 Full Circle: Intentional Creation in the UAE 47:20 The First Meeting: Unrehearsed Dialogue 52:31 Tracing Ancient Links Across Borders 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. 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, and the V&A Museum. His performances and curatorial projects have featured at WOMAD, SXSW, Jazz à Vienne, and the Montreux Jazz Festival. His film and soundtrack credits include compositions for Disney's Mufasa (2024) and Disney's Iwaju (2024). He has delivered guest professorships at NYU Abu Dhabi, where he has been Artist-in-Residence since January 2026.   Connect with Yahael Camara Onono 👉 https://instagram.com/yahaelco Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD ARTS CENTER PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMbTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Music serves as a vital sanctuary and a form of spiritual recovery in a world frequently defined by violence, injustice, and fatigue. Flautist, vocalist & composer Naïssam Jalal shares her profound reflections on a career shaped by the search for belonging and the transformative power of sound. Growing up in Paris as the daughter of immigrants, she recounts facing persistent racism and discrimination, which eventually spurred a deep need to reconnect with her roots and understand her identity. She offers a nuanced look at her artistic evolution, from early Western classical training to her discovery of improvisation as a way to express the inexpressible. She reflects on her formative years in Cairo, describing the challenges of navigating society as a solo female musician and the immense generosity of mentors like violin legend Abdo Dagher.   0:00 Introduction 1:46 Growing up between Cultures 3:54 The Discovery of Improvisation 6:41 A Search for Roots in Damascus and Cairo 9:00 Learnings from the Legends of Egypt 11:44 Early Collaborations at the Cairo Opera House 17:42 Returning to Paris and Processing Hardship 21:04 Navigating Art through Conflict and War 23:32 The Birth of Rhythms of Resistance 29:23 Music as a Political Witness 31:01 Capturing the Scream of the Earth 36:54 Exploring Hindustani Classical Traditions 44:00 Seeking Shelter and Recovery through Sound 51:44 Reflections on a Burning World   Naïssam Jalal is an acclaimed French-Syrian flautist, vocalist, and composer. Born in Paris to Syrian parents, she is celebrated for her genre-defying music that blends jazz, Western chamber music, and classical Arabic sounds. Her highly spiritual, cosmopolitan work has earned her prestigious awards like the Victoires du Jazz.   Connect with Naïssam Jalal 👉 https://instagram.com/naissamjalal Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD ARTS CENTER PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMbTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.