Bucks Music Group has signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing deal with Yahael Camara-Onono, the creator and leader of West African collective Balimaya Project.

Balimaya Project was formed in 2019, with percussionist Camara-Onono being a second-generation Londoner whose rich West African musical heritage, coupled with his musical experiences in the UK, inspired him to bridge the gap between the diaspora and West Africa.

Balimaya’s debut album Wolo So was released in July of 2021, with the collective having featured in prominent radio shows, playlists and editorial all over the world. They have been supported by renowned tastemaker Giles Peterson who called their album “one of the most important releases this year” on his BBC 6 Music radio show.

The band has played mainstage at festivals across the UK, including We Out Here!, Brainchild Fest and End Of The Road to name a few. Recent live highlights include a performance at Womad Festival and a sold-out headline show at the Barbican’s Milton Court in 2021; and shows at The South Bank Centre and Super-Sonic Jazz Festival in Amsterdam in 2022.

Balimaya were nominated for Songlines Magazine’s Album of the Year in the Africa and Middle East category, as well as being named one of the top ten global music albums of the year by the Guardian. They recently released their latest single, Season Of Baraka, which has seen support from BBC 6 Music.

The band have a new album set for release in 2023 and will be in Dakar, Senegal, and Abu Dhabi, UAE, before SXSW.

Bucks’ Director A&R Sarah Liversedge Platz said: “Yahael Camara-Onono is a really exciting musician and songwriter. He’s incredibly talented and his star is rising with the work he’s producing with Balimaya Project. We’re really happy to welcome him to Bucks.”

Yahael Camara-Onono said: “Ever since coming into contact with Sarah at Bucks I’ve been impressed at how Bucks always fight for the artist and the great results they bring to the table.

I’m honoured to be part of and represented by the Bucks family. Looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”’