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Hype Malaysia
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Interview: Zamaera's Journey On The 'Road To FAM' Finale & Her Thoughts On The Malaysian Music Scene
Rising Malaysian powerhouse rapper, Zamaera, will be headlining the upcoming finale to 88Rising's 'Road To FAM' in collaboration with Levi's and Future Asian Music in Bangkok, Thailand on 9th July 2025. Headlining Southeast Asia's biggest artists, such as RAMENGVRL, Zack Tabuldo, and Fariz Jabba, who were on the leg of the 'Road To FAM', Zamaera will be also joined by exclusive guest, 88Rising's MILLI. Known for her bold beats and finesse, let's take a look at who Zamaera is at her core, where her music speaks when words cannot. In this exclusive interview with the rapper, we follow her thoughts on the Malaysian music scene and her thoughts on her musical journey. She also shares her thoughts on being in the finale of 'Road To FAM' in Bangkok. Here's what she had to say: 1. Your Road to FAM Show in KL recently ended, along with your Epiphany tour. How are you feeling about the energy of the Malaysian music scene? Same energy, more driven, more focused and a lot more intentional with my craft. Although I have to correct you, as I didn't win the rap battle. I was 1st runner up against one of my long-time friends, ASHTIN (M.I.O), but I was the only female in the whole cypher, which really set the tone for my career from then onwards. At that time, female representation in hip hop was far from many, but I remember seeing Arabyrd, Kayda Aziz, Hunny Madu, Shikara, Mizz Nina, YUNOHOO (formerly known as Rubba Bend), Supamojo and sharing a stage with a few of them at Raising The Bar, a hip hop platform founded by Jin Hackman and Dan Shiv. I loved being put together with these other strong and creative female figures. And that goes hand in hand with my involvement with Road To FAM. Representing my country, alongside other independent Asian artists, is exactly where I belong. 2. Your Epiphany tour included cities that are rarely visited by artists. Could you explain the process of choosing these cities, and what did you think about the crowd there? Yes, well, it was quite easy actually. I picked the cities like Alor Setar, Kedah and Ipoh, Perak, because firstly I knew I had a following in those cities and secondly because I hadn't performed in cities like Malacca or Kedah or Sabah. I'm planning a bigger show with more local artists, so the best way to test the market is to actually go on the ground and see what works and what doesn't. I am a huge fan of Nipsey Hussle, and he has these 5 prolific principles which he elaborates on. One of them is fan segmentation. As an independent artist, it's important to identify who your superfans are, those who come out for your show no matter what, purchase tickets and merch as a way of supporting your career, so this is also my way of giving back to the fans who aren't based in Kuala Lumpur. I'm really glad I picked all these 'uncommon' cities because not only was the hospitality from the venues amazing, but I really got to build a strong connection with my fans from each state, as the show was very intimate, ranging from 50 – 100 pax capacity venues. I believe all artists should try planning their national tour with their team because it's extremely doable! And it's very wholesome, plus a huge learning opportunity. 3. Based on your latest song, 'Jumper,' you're leaning towards the UK Rap and Baile Funk genre. Could you tell us a bit more about this artistic direction? I had always been a fan of electronic music, particularly techno and house, ever since I went for a student exchange program in Germany. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of music that I wasn't acquainted with at 17 years old. But I never tried including the love for electronic music into my own. So, jumper was an amalgamation of discovering Miami bass and baile funk, which allowed me to naturally progress in my sound direction. Jumper has all the elements of my artistic qualities, rapping with witty punchlines and singing pre-chorus and chorus. I want that to stand out in all my upcoming music. The duality of both being a singer and rapper, because I am tired of being put into a box. You know that internet saying…..'let her cook'… 4. Being a Malaysian of Arab and Indian descent, and promoting yourself as a homegrown artist, are there any plans to add any cultural aspects to future music projects? For sure! I've always wanted to make Tamil / Hindi music because I grew up in a household which loved Bollywood. And of course, my love for languages is the real reason why I will eventually collaborate with more South Asian creatives. 5. You have some vocal-oriented tracks, such as 'Jaga Diri', 'Glow' and your early song, 'Wanita'. Are there any plans to dive into more vocal-oriented tracks? Or can fans expect a full vocal-oriented album in the future? Yes! I have a big grand master plan for this. I hope my fans are patient with me because I have some of the best music that I've ever made in the vault and about to be released, and I truly can't wait to share it with the world. 6. What does being part of the Future Asia Music x Levi's Collaboration with 88rising mean to you, personally and professionally? You've got to trust your team. I've been independent for such a long time that I'm so used to working on my own, but I've been building a great team, and I had to learn how to let go and just focus on being creative and just being the artist. Oh, and another thing is, you have to not panic in a crisis! We had a wardrobe malfunction, about the 3rd song into my live performance and I could feel my top kind of slipping off but as the saying goes, 'The show must go on', and I just kept singing and rapping into the microphone while being completely myself and announcing that we were going through a wardrobe malfunction and the crowd was still so supportive. There's something about being completely your own true self that I believe people enjoy and respect. 7. How do you see this collaboration uplifting Southeast Asian artists on a global stage? You know, I had never worked with Darren, the designer of Ugly Pretty, until this collaboration came along. He is most definitely someone I consider a visionary. Someone who can see the complete idea of something, before it's even done, which I resonate with completely as an artist myself. When I met him for the first time at Levis in Suria KLCC, he whipped out his sketch book that had these 4 gorgeous illustrations of how he envisioned my performance outfit, and it screamed my name across every single one. I felt like he studied me and my body through socials and maybe live performances to get a better understanding of my personality and the way that I move during performances, and then with his amazing, creative Einstein brain, just started sketching an idea that only he had seen in his head. We then tried on different existing in-store and archival pieces from Levi's, ranging from the jeans to skirts and jackets, etc, which he deconstructed every single piece to make the most authentic and gag-worthy 3-piece performance outfit. I mean, you must have seen it! I loved it, it's so me and him at the same time. 8. Do you have anything you want to say to aspiring artists who want to follow in your steps? Be unconditionally your most authentic self. When you are in a certain room with certain people, know that there is no one to impress but your 5-year-old self. Which is why it is also so important to be in touch with your inner child. Having a carefree spirit, an unlimited sense of wonder and no fear of rejection turns one into an undeniable force. Hone in on your strengths and trust your intuition. And if you are an artist, fall in love with the work, the dedication, the sacrifices, the poetry, because in the end, you are writing the story of who you are. Tickets to Future Asian Music x Levi's® Road to FAM, The Finale in Bangkok featuring Zamaera are available via MegaTix. Admission is free but RSVP required. The event is only open to ages 20+. Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Hype Malaysia
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Concert Review: Club Classics & Hip-Hop Energy At 'The Road To FAM' With Levi's & 88Rising In KL
The Future Asian Music (FAM), in collaboration with Levi's, presents their first edition of the 'Road To FAM' with 88Rising, a music series that highlights emerging talent across Southeast Asia. Kick-starting their first leg in Manila, Philippines on 14th May, with indie-pop sensation Zack Tabuldo headlining, the tour continues to Singapore and finally the motherland, Kuala Lumpur. Held on 21st May 2025 (Wednesday) at Over & Above KL, the venue was popping with shades of red, paying homage to Levi's signature red tab on their jeans. Visually, the venue was stunning with Over & Above's signature LED pole illuminating the club in red and white, adding visual appeal above dancers and performers. Levi's Patchwork & Opening DJ Sets By Damien Mirza & Roshan As you enter the venue, you're greeted with a small section displaying best-selling Levi's products such as their crew neck tees and straight cut jeans, which come with a free patch with every purchase. Moreover, Over & Above had ample seating, giving free seating choices for all those who had RSVPed for the event. The venue also had a selection of drinks that night available to purchase at their bar, which was stationed behind. The drinks were flowing, and the atmosphere was scenic, but the party was a tad bit slow in the beginning with local emerging DJ, Damien Mirza, opening the dancefloor with his signature blend of amapiano and house with a hint of R&B classics in his mix. A few casual dancers made it to the floor, a bit shy at first but thoroughly enjoying the beats and rhythms of the opening DJ. Until familiar tracks started playing, such as a remix of '24K Magic', which got the crowd moving and on their feet. Damien brought forth club classics in an enjoyable opening set, setting the night for a funky night made for dancing. The night continued with Saturday Selects' Roshan, amping up the tempo of the night with a house, R&B, funk fusion. His set was truly enjoyable, able to get even the shyest of people on the dancefloor, nearing the end of his set. Zamaera's Dripped Out Segment What started as funk and fun, did a 180-degree turn as the decks were exchanged to leading Malaysian producer I-SKY, opening the set to headliner Zamaera's anticipated FAM segment. Decked out in a full denim fit, fitting for the collaboration with Levi's, as well as two backup dancers, she came and served with powerful lines and showed the crowd who our Malaysian representative was! She greeted the crowd with, 'Over & Above, how are y'all doing tonight?' as she opened her set with a familiar tone filling the sound system as she sang 'Ikan Kelek, Mak Eloi Eloi', adding a cultural twist to her hip-hop-centred performance. Her performance went on as she delivered line after line of powerful raps and beats as the crowd surrounded her on the dancefloor. The night went on with Zamaera performing her popular single, 'Big Fish', where she coordinated a small dance for the crowd to follow along as she performed, gaining plus points on her crowd interaction. Producer I-SKY also participated in the performance, delivering a freestyle rap during her 'Big Fish' performance. During her 45-minute segment, Zamaera performed freestyle raps as well as her hit songs, such as 'Helly Kelly' and her new single 'Jumper', oozing confidence and swag throughout the night. The artist also experienced a small wardrobe malfunction but was able to push through despite it. We could not keep our eyes off her throughout her performance as she performs and interacts accordingly with the crowd, giving chances for the audience to sing and dance with her. Nearing the end, the crowd was loving her energy as a dance battle erupted in the crowd, sparking even more positive reactions from the audience, who thoroughly enjoyed the show. She ends her segment with a heartfelt thank you to the organisers, her team, as well as the crowd who came and supported the event. The Malaysia leg of the 'Road To FAM' tour marks a significant introduction to what's to come in the final show in Bangkok. The show had everything from funk to hip-hop prowess as our local artists showed what the growing music scene can offer. The 'Road To FAM' continued to Jakarta, Indonesia, last Sunday (25th May 2025) before its finale in Bangkok. Head over to Levi's official website for information on what's to come, or check out Future Asian Music and Levi's socials for more updates. Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
Hype Malaysia
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Levi's® Kicks Off Season With Southeast Asia Music Series Tour & Spring/Summer 2025 Collection
It's time to embrace the warmth of the sun and welcome the flurry of exciting moments that are unfolding before us. This season, Levi's® is bringing both music and fashion together in perfect harmony, to celebrate individuality and authentic self-expression. Music : Levi's® & 88rising Present 'Road To FAM' Music Series To Highlight Emerging SEA Talents Levi's® and global music collective 88rising, will be launching Road to FAM, a free multi-city music series touring Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur in May 2025. Coinciding with the anniversary of Levi's® iconic 501® jeans, the initiative honours the brand's legacy of cultural innovation while amplifying 88rising's Future Asian Music (FAM), a community and content-driven music distribution platform nurturing Asia's next generation of musical artists. Putting a spotlight on four of Asia's rising artists, the series is kicking off with intimate hometown showcases featuring Manila's ZACK TABUDLO (PH) — the first Filipino male solo artist to hit 1 billion Spotify streams through viral tracks like 'Binibini' Singapore's FARIZ JABBA (SG), the raw storyteller blending hip-hop with narratives of urban Southeast Asian life, known for viral tracks like 'Ape Sia' — Jakarta's RAMENGVRL (ID), a 5-time Anugerah Musik Indonesia (AMI) winner, who gained fame following the release of 'Cashmere', and Kuala Lumpur's very own ZAMAERA (MY), who became a pioneering force in Malaysia's rap scene after releasing her viral track 'Helly Kelly'. 'I'm driven by change and fuelled by discomfort. Since being independent, I strive towards ownership of my music and creative freedom, which inspires the little girl inside of me. 'It is a great honour being a woman representing Malaysia for FAM because I want to show the world what KL is made of when opportunity meets preparation,' enthused Zamaera. The Road to FAM Kuala Lumpur will set the city on fire this 21st May 2025, 8pm at Over and Above Club! Witness the unstoppable Zamaera as she unleashes her full creative power, blending hip hop, rap, and electronic influences into a bold, unmistakable sound that marks her new chapter of artistic freedom. Joining her on this sonic journey are DJ Damien, a rising talent known for his genre-blurring beats, and DJ Roshan, whose soulful, high-energy sets promise to ignite the dance floor. Don't miss this celebration of raw talent, innovation, and dynamic beats! Sign up for free entry RSVP at this dedicated portal : The tour and music series culminates at the Future of Asian Music Festival, FAM Bangkok (coming soon), where the standout performers will unite for a collaborative showcase, bridging grassroots talent with global audiences. The festival will transform the city's historic Hua Lamphong Train Station and the neighbouring Talat Noi district into vibrant hubs for Asia's independent music scene. Spanning across multiple venues, festival attendees will be amongst the first to experience genre-spanning, curated performances by rising artists affiliated with FAM, most of whom are performing in Bangkok for the first time. FAM Bangkok's City Showcases spotlighting regional talent will allow music lovers to discover some of the next superstars in the industry, while global headliners will close off the weekend. 'Road to FAM mirrors Levi's® 150-year connection to music and self-expression, from the 501® jeans' role in jazz and hip-hop revolutions to its enduring symbolism for artists. For 150 years, Levi's® and the 501® have been part of music and cultural movements around the world. Road to FAM continues that legacy by helping spotlight Asia's next generation of creative pioneers,' said Levi's® Chief Marketing Officer, Kenny Mitchell. 'These artists are pushing boundaries and creating something entirely their own,' he added. The Road to FAM artists will be featured in mini documentaries that trace their progress, creative roots, and cultural inspirations. The docuseries aims to further amplify the artists to a global audience by leveraging 88rising's original content know-how and Levi's® enduring commitment to originality and innovation. Fashion: Levi's® Summer Festival Fits For The Sun, Sound & Style Ready for the music, but not sure if your wardrobe is? The festival season is calling, and Levi's® is redefining warm-weather essentials with a collection called Summer Lifestyle that revels in silhouettes, playful proportions and effortless styling. Summer Lifestyle is all about looking cool and staying cool. It's the perfect collection for sun-soaked days when the mercury has nowhere to go but up. For women, Summer Lifestyle focuses on lightweight, breathable fabrics in a range of dresses and skirts at every length, shorts, tops, and rompers. Denim highlights include the Surplus Romper and Vest Romper, two stylish, lightweight rompers featuring Western styling details; the Alessie Bustier Dress, a soft, low-key spaghetti-strap bustier dress in faded, lightweight denim; and a summery take on Levi's® classics, the Embroidered XS Vest. Jorts also take on new energy with a mix of modern fits, ranging from ultra-baggy to sleek mid-thigh cuts. The Baggy Dad Jort delivers a relaxed, borrowed-from-the-boys feel, while the Mid-Thigh Short offers a more polished take on the trend. To be festival-ready, pair the Baggy Dad Jort with the Sunrise Crochet Tank for a beachy, boho vibe, or dress it up with the Sonny Novelty Camp Shirt and sleek ballet flats. The Mid-Thigh Short transitions seamlessly from day to night, styled with the Boxy Tank and loafers for an elevated touch. For men, it's all about loose and baggy shorts, tees, and tops. Highlights include the Sunset Camp Shirt, the Terry Pocket Polo, and the Vintage Fit Graphic Tee. And for shorts, the fits in the Summer Lifestyle collection get super comfortable thanks to the XX Authentic Relaxed Shorts and jorts! Jorts remain a staple this season, with volume and length leading the way. The 478 Baggy and Baggy Cargo Shorts keep things cool and casual, pairing effortlessly with vintage-inspired graphic tees or cropped button-downs for a modern edge. Meanwhile, the 468 Loose Shorts make a bold alternative to traditional shorts. Styled with socks and loafers or worn effortlessly with a relaxed tank, these jorts make an undeniable statement. The Levi's® Spring/Summer 2025 collection is available now at all Levi's® Stores nationwide and on
