#SHOWBIZ: Yonnyboii's dream realised with Malique

New Straits Times

3 days ago

KUALA Lumpur's music scene is buzzing and at its heart is Yonnyboii, the soulful composer and singer who has just unveiled what he calls the pinnacle of his career: a groundbreaking collaboration with the legendary Malique of Too Phat fame.
Their new track, 'Tanya Tuhan' (Ask God), isn't just a song but a solid manifestation of a long-held dream, a "significant victory from various angles and aspects" for the young hip-hop artiste.
For years, Yonnyboii could only admire Malique's genius from a distance, a common sentiment among many Malaysian musicians. But fate, it seems, had other plans.
Their paths converged, leading to 'Tanya Tuhan' – a track that sees Malique not only lending his iconic touch but also co-writing lyrics with the 27-year-old talent, alongside the song's overall producer, LastKhalif.
"I truly didn't expect to collaborate with Malique. He was one of the must-achieve dreams on my list. It's insane. I still can't quite process having a song with him," Yonnyboii confessed, still visibly awestruck by the experience.
He credits the invaluable support of Universal Music Malaysia's Senior Director of A&R and Artist Management, Hermond Cheng, for making this seemingly impossible collaboration a reality.
The journey to 'Tanya Tuhan' was filled with moments Yonnyboii describes as "profound honours".
Working alongside such esteemed names left him feeling "incredibly proud, yet so small compared to all the experiences I've gained".
This humility shines through in the song, which draws deeply from Yonnyboii's personal struggles and self-reflection.
Much like his previous works, 'Tanya Tuhan' is a candid reflection of Yonnyboii's own life.
It was born from a period of intense doubt and unanswered questions, a time when he felt "estranged from myself and very emotional".
The song explores the universal feeling of burnout and the search for solace when life's burdens become overwhelming.
"It's just that I didn't know who to confide in," he shared, highlighting the raw honesty embedded in his lyrics.
Adding another layer of magic to the project is the accompanying music video, helmed by Yonnyboii's "dream director" and respected friend, Thaqif.
Yonnyboii admits his creative visions aren't always easy to translate, but Thaqif was the perfect collaborator to bring his "madness" to life.
"I haven't worked with him for a long time, and I could feel the magic again," Yonnyboii enthused, expressing hopes for future collaborations with the director he considers "one of the best in the industry".
As 'Tanya Tuhan' makes its way to listeners, Yonnyboii, whose real name is Muhammad Haqeem Nuriman Nor Azrin, holds a profound hope.
He wants his audience to "understand and deeply feel what I felt", aspiring for the song to resonate as a powerful anthem of resilience.
For Yonnyboii, this entire journey, culminating in 'Tanya Tuhan', is a beautiful experience to be "engraved upon his heart".
The rapper and singer has previously released an EP titled 'Yonny' in 2020 and his debut studio album 'Persona' in 2023.
Born in Kajang, Selangor, and raised in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, Yonnyboii began writing songs at the age of 13.
He has already collaborated with a long list of other young talents, such as Zynakal, Caprice and Ismail Izzani.
On Nov 20, 2021, he married Nik Nazirah Nik Narriman.
'Tanya Tuhan' is currently available on all major streaming music platforms.
Its accompanying music video can be viewed via Yonnyboii's YouTube channel.