In a world where music often travels through AirPods, Spotify playlists, and concert halls, Abu Dhabi-based musician Nadine Kabbani’s composition has taken a more celestial route! It's not every day that music composed on Earth streams from the International Space Station (ISS), but for Kabbani, this once-unthinkable milestone has become a reality.
The NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) alumna has cemented her name in the stars through ASTROBEAT – Music from Space Competition, a unique collaboration that has seen her piano-led composition, ‘No Gravity’, launched into space. Kabbani’s journey to have her compositions float in the cosmos, however, began with a single spark of inspiration.
“I first learned about the ASTROBEAT competition through my peers at NYUAD,” the Emirati musician tells Khaleej Times. “As I researched Dr. Leonardo Barilaro’s work, I became deeply inspired by his music. His pieces resonated with me on an emotional level, and I wanted to create something similar—a piece that could evoke the same sense of wonder and connection.”
That connection became the heart of ‘No Gravity’. “The idea behind my composition was to evoke the sensation of floating,” explains Kabbani, adding that the composition is a delicate, emotional exploration of space, blending piano, strings, and synthesisers to capture the feeling of weightlessness.
For Kabbani, the road to crafting ‘No Gravity’ was equal parts rewarding and challenging. A self-taught composer before her time at NYUAD, she credits the university with giving her the tools and confidence to approach a project of this magnitude.
Watching the rocket launch her music into space was an unforgettable experience for Kabbani, a moment she describes as both surreal and humbling. “It was incredibly thrilling,” she adds. “If someone had told me a few years ago that my music would be aboard a rocket heading to the ISS, I would’ve laughed. The launch was a reminder that the impossible can become reality with determination and belief in yourself.”
What does the young musician hope astronauts feel when they listen to her music aboard the ISS? “I hope ‘No Gravity’ brings a sense of calm and peace to them,” she says. “Space is this vast, mysterious place, and I wanted my music to mirror its expanse and beauty, while also resonating emotionally with the listeners.”
This journey also added depth and nuance to her perspective on creativity. “Confidence is key,” she says. “Believing in your work, even when you’re uncertain, can lead to incredible opportunities. The universe, quite literally, is full of surprises.”
As for what comes next, Kabbani remains open to exploring new horizons. “I’m not entirely sure what’s next, but I’m excited to continue composing and learning more about space,” she adds. “This project has shown me how art and science can intersect, and I’d love to be involved in more collaborations like this in the future.”
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