The story appears on

Page A10

November 28, 2021

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » Sunday

SYA, Def Jam’s taboo-breaking female Malaysian hip-hop star

Wearing sunglasses and a tiger print dress as she raps into a microphone, Malaysian hip-hop artist SYA calls for empowerment while taking a sledgehammer to stereotypes of Muslim women.

The first female signing for label Def Jam — the label behind superstars from Jay-Z and Rihanna to BTS and Justin Bieber — in Southeast Asia, her debut single “PrettyGirlBop” tackles misogyny and acceptance in her Muslim-majority homeland.

“I just want women to feel more comfortable in their own skin,” said SYA, whose long dark hair is uncovered. “I don’t have to pretend to be somebody else just to fit what society deems is good.”

The track, which also features up-and-coming Singaporean artist Yung Raja, includes scenes of SYA dressed in white, and stroking a cat wearing a pearl necklace in a lavish bedroom.

Emphasizing her desire that women should not be pigeon-holed, it then switches to her holding a snake and wearing a leopard print jacket, as she defiantly raps “I wanna be like me.”

Imposter syndrome hit me

She is among a crop of young artists from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines who have been signed by global music giant Def Jam’s Southeast Asian arm.

Lauded by the industry as a rising star, the 25 year old says she faces online abuse from those who believe her behavior isn’t appropriate for a young Muslim woman.

“I’ve had a lot of disturbing comments,” she said, adding that she has been accused of being a prostitute and had her faith questioned.

“’Is she a Muslim? How much per night? Why is she showing so much skin?’”

While Malaysia is a relatively affluent country, society remains largely conservative.

SYA says she is facing down the “patriarchal mindset” and “sexualization” of those who don’t conform to the cliched expectations of Muslim women

Most members of Malaysia’s ethnic Malay Muslim community follow a moderate form of the religion, and while the majority of women wear a headscarf, there is no law requiring it.

But conservative Islam has been gaining ground, pushed by hardline politicians and preachers accompanied by growing criticism of any activities and behavior seen as undermining the faith.

For SYA — real name Nur Batrisya Mohammad Nazri — art and religion should be kept firmly separate.

“What does (religion) have to do with me as an artist and what I create?” she said. The artist, who spent much of her childhood overseas, burst onto the music scene almost by accident when she posted some of her work online, drawing the attention of well-known local rapper SonaOne.

He connected her with Def Jam, which had begun a push into Southeast Asia, seeking to capitalize on a new wave of regional stars and a youthful demographic with increasing disposable income.

“First and foremost, I consider myself a writer... writing was the reason I am doing all of this... I had never planned to be an artist,” said SYA.

She confesses she was plagued by “self-doubt” and taken aback by her success.

“Impostor syndrome really hit me hard. There are other people out there, especially independent artists, who make music 24/7 and are still struggling to get signed,” she said.

Be your own person

Growing up, SYA took part in talent shows and listened to artists such as Britney Spears and Michael Jackson.

She later drifted toward hip hop, because it’s “such an outspoken genre.”

Her parents are “getting used to the idea” of her becoming a star, she said, adding that her mom is her “biggest supporter.” After months of only doing online shows due to a lengthy COVID-19 shutdown in Malaysia, she now plans to return to live performing.

SYA has yet to run into trouble with authorities, but artists regularly do in Malaysia.

Despite this, SYA still thinks male artists have far more freedom to rap about sensitive subjects in the country without fear of being criticized.

“For the boys, there are no limitations. If they want to rap about sex or weed, they get a pass,” she said. “But for women, if you are Malay, you don’t want to insinuate you are doing all of those things.”

SYA hopes her music inspires other women — not to emulate her but to be more confident in themselves.

“I don’t want to be the perfect role model,” she said. “You can take inspiration from me to be your own person.”




 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend