1988, Born in Cameroon

Elsa M’Bala, aka A.M.E.T., is a sound artist who performs live podcasts blending DJ sets and live radio shows, where field recordings and interviews are shared live with an audience. She has performed internationally at venues such as the Akademie der Künste Berlin (DE), Casino Luxembourg-Forum d’Art Contemporain (LUX), Dak’Art Biennale (SEN), Gessnerallee Zürich (CH), among others. She created the trailer for the 10th Berlin Biennale and is currently working in Cameroon on a project funded by the Akademie der Künste Berlin and the Musicboard.

A.M.E.T.’s musical journey and her reflections on race, cultural formation, gender, and spirituality challenge prejudices about how someone’s music should sound based on their origin. Her practice breaks away from Western classical music by creating graphic scores that allow her to include microtones, as is common in non-Western music. Using technology, she amplifies her unique voice and addresses narratives of inclusion and visibility. Her work is also characterized by collaborations with musicians, dancers, artists, performers, and creators from diverse backgrounds. Since 2019, Elsa M’Bala has also been practicing as a massage therapist.