![After coming close to joining pop group Now United, Alya, who is Emirati-British, launched a solo career. Photo: Alya Al Ali](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LGSOIJCJN2522BTTZCMTNJNDQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e39538551535024313efe8f406f43f454315e97f488ccb1b9fc177cbecfee76b&width=400&height=225)
![One of the region's biggest pop stars, Ahlam has also carved out a successful TV career. Reem Mohammed / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WHR6QZQ4DS57JVRWZFGWIYOZK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcee2bfadd5adcfbffdcbb670e1f9b0478cf05df83be92fe0e358a25b7137340&width=400&height=225)
![Emirati-Yemeni Balqees sang with Andrea Bocelli in 2016 and performed during the AFC Asian Cup opening ceremony in 2019. Ruel Pableo / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CZWQGGXZMRGL5MR2DFFSJZBXYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=00bbb1a6f9ea290c1b805e2879b760af6600d20e119d2c0bdc7e95d15dba589b&width=400&height=225)
![Shamma Hamdan was the first and only Emirati to make it to the final round of 'Arabs Got Talent'. Navin Khianey / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ASZVDRVPMHF4YZ5DJNMQH6SCFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e3bec046db6b02115c1c2c6135b58c940a0124a29aedbd33af982fcf2e16fbe&width=400&height=225)
![Singer-songwriter Fafa supported Bruno Mars at Etihad Park, while her single 'Anta Batal' has more than 2.9 million views on YouTube. Photo: The BarCoe Studio](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HWZVUQZEMJB4TB4633TH5ZXQTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=bbb6bf8b1c6e51c8c0f6f7ba26f92e953db25c9ad0025c1a9ae39329d84a9ac1&width=400&height=225)
![After coming close to joining pop group Now United, Alya, who is Emirati-British, launched a solo career. Photo: Alya Al Ali](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LGSOIJCJN2522BTTZCMTNJNDQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e39538551535024313efe8f406f43f454315e97f488ccb1b9fc177cbecfee76b&width=400&height=225)
![One of the region's biggest pop stars, Ahlam has also carved out a successful TV career. Reem Mohammed / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WHR6QZQ4DS57JVRWZFGWIYOZK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcee2bfadd5adcfbffdcbb670e1f9b0478cf05df83be92fe0e358a25b7137340&width=400&height=225)
![Emirati-Yemeni Balqees sang with Andrea Bocelli in 2016 and performed during the AFC Asian Cup opening ceremony in 2019. Ruel Pableo / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CZWQGGXZMRGL5MR2DFFSJZBXYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=00bbb1a6f9ea290c1b805e2879b760af6600d20e119d2c0bdc7e95d15dba589b&width=400&height=225)
![Shamma Hamdan was the first and only Emirati to make it to the final round of 'Arabs Got Talent'. Navin Khianey / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ASZVDRVPMHF4YZ5DJNMQH6SCFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e3bec046db6b02115c1c2c6135b58c940a0124a29aedbd33af982fcf2e16fbe&width=400&height=225)
![Singer-songwriter Fafa supported Bruno Mars at Etihad Park, while her single 'Anta Batal' has more than 2.9 million views on YouTube. Photo: The BarCoe Studio](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HWZVUQZEMJB4TB4633TH5ZXQTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=bbb6bf8b1c6e51c8c0f6f7ba26f92e953db25c9ad0025c1a9ae39329d84a9ac1&width=400&height=225)
![After coming close to joining pop group Now United, Alya, who is Emirati-British, launched a solo career. Photo: Alya Al Ali](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LGSOIJCJN2522BTTZCMTNJNDQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e39538551535024313efe8f406f43f454315e97f488ccb1b9fc177cbecfee76b&width=400&height=225)
From Ahlam to Balqees, five Emirati women winning music fans by singing with purpose
Some of the most prolific artists in the UAE have albums spanning Arabic and English as well as folk, pop and R&B
![Saeed Saeed](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fdfd6c0d0-f148-4163-b51c-fe3b293b0f9d.png?smart=true&auth=fbad4a9efbd3b8c272380498534cedd4e4b64afad5f5593a426d913b1da43080&width=70&height=70)
Saeed Saeed
August 28, 2022
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic