{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnyuadartscenter.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fyahael-camara-onono-YDrkA71Z","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"The Djembe, Diaspora & the Sound of West Africa | Djembe Virtuoso & Bandleader Yahael Camara Onono","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/1ce0a58c-3e05-4d4b-a2e7-f3ffb869b215/6db24df9-af41-4e9d-a977-8c7e81bd8be9/series-cover-nyuad-arts-center.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/85fd15ef-1f17-4ec3-8124-9d32980c3228\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"The Djembe, Diaspora &amp; the Sound of West Africa | Djembe Virtuoso &amp; Bandleader Yahael Camara Onono\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"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."}