Hear from the home-grown composer and producer behind recent National Day Parade songs. Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In this special episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts award-winning Singaporean composer, producer, and music director Evan Low. A recipient of the National Arts Council’s Young Artist Award in 2024, Low has worked on over 200 songs. He is best known for being a co-composer and musician on recent National Day Parade songs The Road Ahead (2021) sung by artistes such as Linying, Not Alone (2024) by Benjamin Kheng and the 2018 remake of We Are Singapore. The artiste also known as Evanturetime has also toured with international pop star and Taiwanese singer A-mei and has performed to massive crowds in venues such as the Beijing National Stadium in China. Low, who first took piano lessons at the age of five, graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a Diploma in Music and Audio Technology. He then honed his skills at famed American music school Berklee College of Music, thanks to scholarships from the school as well as the Media Development Authority. This episode was recorded and filmed in front of a live audience of nearly 80 attendees on June 3 - at swish nightspot Rasa at Republic Plaza, as part of the ST Podcast Live! Sessions celebrating 180 years of The Straits Times in 2025. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:43 Realising the impact of music: How Evan cried during piano practice when he was a kid 3:54 How he ended up choosing to further his studies in music instead of science 6:36 On developing his own set of ‘special skills’ while studying music in the US 10:56 The pressure of coming up with NDP songs 18:20 How he got singer Benjamin Kheng to venture outside his comfort zone on NDP song Not Alone 26:46 How he balances his finances as a full-time musician 29:25 On helping others achieve their dreams of pursuing music as a career Watch the full podcast on YouTube: https://str.sg/b3tL Discover Evan Low’s music at: Spotify: https://str.sg/9ALG Instagram: https://str.sg/oKkAJ Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team Edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen to our news commentary podcasts on the go every week. Podcasts have become part of the global media landscape these days. The audio-on-demand format allows many listeners to often do other chores or hobbies, while hearing the shows in the background over headphones or bluetooth speakers Almost every weekday, check out our discussions on Singapore current affairs and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career. Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST’s app, which has a dedicated podcast player section. Trailer narrated by: Podcast editor Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg); edited by: Elsa Goh --- Discover more ST podcast channels: 'All-in-one' ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Headstart On Record: https://str.sg/wB2m Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Wheel Insights: https://str.sg/iTtE ST Podcasts website: https://www.straitstimes.com/st-podcasts (*New) The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Special edition series: Green Trails (4 eps): https://str.sg/bMyx This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2025 on April 23, organised by the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra). True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2024 in April, and third place for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Worldwide 2024, both organised by Wan-Ifra. The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 This series also won The Best Podcast/Digital Audio Project category at the 2022 Digital Media Awards Asia, organised by Wan-Ifra. Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stpodcasttrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home-grown jazz saxophone player Sean Hong Wei is the 15th guest in this music channel. Synopsis (headphones recommended): The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In the 15th episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts Singaporean jazz saxophone player Sean Hong Wei. The 25-year-old marked a milestone when his debut album The New Jersey Sessions - a collaboration with his mentor and home-grown jazz maestro Jeremy Monteiro - reached the Top 20 of the chart of American publication JazzWeek in July, 2024. The chart ranks releases based on airplay reports submitted by radio stations. The album had earlier gone to No. 1 on the overall chart and jazz chart on iTunes Singapore within two days of its release on Jan 1. The former banking and finance student is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in music at The New School, New York. He also plays regular shows in the city’s vibrant jazz scene, where he meets and learns from seasoned veterans. He shares his experiences of touring in Asia, including recent performances in Shanghai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Sean discusses his plans to return to Singapore after completing his studies to contribute to the local jazz scene. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:57 On his album charting in the US jazz charts 4:13 On how his Singaporean background is not a barrier in the close-knit New York jazz scene 7:55 His experiences of touring, including recent gigs in Shanghai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. 15:25 Getting into the saxophone, and jazz music, in secondary school 18:15 Dropping out of banking and finance studies and switching to music 25:56 Paying $1 for his saxophone, which is now worth $8,000 28:10 His future plans to help the local jazz scene grow Watch Sean Hong Wei's rendition of Body And Soul, a 1930 jazz standard composed by American songwriter Johnny Green: https://str.sg/nArc Discover home-grown artiste Sean Hong Wei at: Spotify: https://str.sg/An5E Instagram: https://str.sg/yZVP Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team & Studio+65 Edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Ernest Luis Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/7m92 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home-grown rapper Shigga Shay is the 14th guest in this music channel. Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In the 14th episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts Singaporean rapper Shigga Shay. The 31-year-old hip-hop artist speaks at length about his experience as the first Singaporean to take part in The Rap Of China 2024, the popular Chinese reality show (2017 to present) that looks for the country’s next rap star. He was among the 72 contestants out of 600 who passed the first round, and reached the 41st spot before being eliminated in the third round. It is still a win, he says, because his time on the show gave him a platform to reach out to a whole new fanbase in China. He still makes regular trips to China to work with his counterparts there on his upcoming release, a mixtape titled Hanyu Pinyin. Featuring verses in Mandarin, English and Hokkien, this new batch of songs reflect his identity as a multilingual rapper from Singapore who is ready to take on the global stage. Shigga also discusses how hip-hop helped him overcome his shyness, and how his late father gave him his stage name. In the episode, he also performs a rendition of his latest single, Overachieve, which will also be included in his upcoming release Hanyu Pinyin. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:54 On being the first Singaporean to take part in The Rap Of China 14:24 How his multilingual songs tells his story as a rapper from Singapore 18:15 On how he has been rapping for half is life 26:17 Why he calls himself Shigga Shay 30:20 He started making music videos in school 34:47 On running his own music company Listen to Shigga Shay’s live performance of Overachieve here: https://str.sg/GRrZ Discover home-grown artiste Shigga Shay at: YouTube: https://str.sg/bnA6 Spotify: https://str.sg/BQLe Instagram: https://str.sg/vMyR Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team & Studio+65 Edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Ernest Luis Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/7m92 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hear home-grown rapper Shigga Shay's intimate live studio take of his latest single, Overachieve, which will also be included in his upcoming release Hanyu Pinyin. Synopsis (headphones recommended): This Music Lab playlist features the full live performance of music acts invited by The Straits Times to its podcast studio. Listen to Shigga Shay talk about his musical journey in the full audio-only podcast here: https://str.sg/yzJA Discover home-grown artiste Shigga Shay at: YouTube: https://str.sg/bnA6 Spotify: https://str.sg/BQLe Instagram: https://str.sg/vMyR Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team & Studio+65 Mixed by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producer: Ernest Luis Discover previous artistes featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hear how Spotify's Radar programme has helped expose home-grown singer-songwriter Hongjoin. Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In the 13th episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts Singaporean singer-songwriter Hongjoin. The 22-year-old, whose music encompasses genres ranging from R&B and indie-pop, is based in Boston, United States, and is trying to make his mark in the US music scene while studying there. He has regular shows in various US cities and has been highlighted by Spotify as a Radar artist, a program that highlights rising talents from around the world. He recently returned to Singapore to do two concerts - a solo headlining show at the Esplanade in June, and as the opening act for US singer-songwriter Ricky Montgomery’s show at the Pasir Panjang Power Station in May. Like many singers from his generation, he is active on TikTok and Instagram, which has helped him build up an audience in regional countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines. In this episode, he also sings a live rendition of the title track from his sophomore album released recently, Komorebi. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:55 How he ended up as a musician in the US 8:11 His solo show in Singapore was sold out 13:38 On tapping into his Japanese roots for his new album 15:50 How the pandemic led to his decision to take music seriously 22:08 On how TikTok and Instagram helped him find an audience in Indonesia and the Philippines 23:32 Taking a break from school to focus on music full-time 25:42 His plans to return to Singapore and contribute to the music scene here Listen to Hongjoin’s live performance of Komorebi here: https://str.sg/ejzw Discover home-grown artiste Hongjoin at: YouTube: https://str.sg/o9mTN Spotify: https://str.sg/pQwe Instagram: https://str.sg/apXW Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team & Studio+65 Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hear home-grown singer-songwriter Hongjoin's intimate live studio take of the title track from his sophomore album released recently, Komorebi. Synopsis (headphones recommended): This Music Lab playlist features the full live performance of music acts invited by The Straits Times to its podcast studio. Listen to Hongjoin talk about his musical journey in the full podcast here: https://str.sg/cTrZ Discover home-grown artiste Hongjoin at: YouTube: https://str.sg/o9mTN Spotify: https://str.sg/pQwe Instagram: https://str.sg/apXW Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team & Studio+65 Mixed by: Amirul Karim Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home-grown singer and songwriter Shazza is the 12th guest in this music channel. Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In the 12th episode of Music Lab, ST's music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts Singaporean singer and songwriter Shazza. The past year has been quite eventful for the 22-year-old - her music caught the attention of several high profile personalities, including Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Chris Martin, the frontman of popular British band Coldplay. A video that she did with Canadian pop duo Crash Adams went viral worldwide, earning her new fans from as far as Brazil. As one of the artists fronting Spotify’s Equal campaign, her face was featured on a billboard at Times Square in New York City. In July 2023, she put out her debut album Chapter One, a release that includes Right Person, Wrong Time, a song that has clocked over two million streams in Spotify alone. The hijab-wearing singer, whose real name is Shareefa Aminah, speaks about how people assume she makes Malay music because of how she looks, as well as her drive towards inclusivity in the pop music world. She also sings for our Music Lab Podcast, a live rendition of her latest single Rain In Manhattan, a duet with fellow home-grown singer-songwriter Umar Sirhan. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:58 On having to turn down an invitation to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s swearing-in ceremony 3:25 How singing in the viral Crash Adams video made her famous worldwide 5:28 Chris Martin calling out her name at one of Coldplay’s Singapore concerts 9:45 On being featured on New York’s Times Square billboard 11:24 Being a hijab-wearing singer making English pop music 13:26 Realising her calling for music at a young age 16:00 On choosing the unconventional path of music as a career 20:39 How juggling school and a music career can get overwhelming 27:58 On plans to nurture new artistes in the future Watch the special live performance and video podcast version of this episode on the Straits Times’ Podcast YouTube channel: https://str.sg/b5za Listen to Shazza’s live performance of Rain In Manhattan with Umar Sirhan here: https://str.sg/B3cx Discover home-grown artiste Shazza at: YouTube: https://str.sg/JS8i9 Spotify: https://str.sg/wKh4d Instagram: https://str.sg/uoqd Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hear home-grown singer-songwriters Shazza's and Umar Sirhan's intimate live studio take of their latest single, Rain In Manhattan. Synopsis (headphones recommended): This Music Lab playlist features the full live performance of music acts invited by The Straits Times to its podcast studio. Watch the special live performance and video podcast version of this episode on the Straits Times’ Podcast YouTube channel: https://str.sg/b5za Listen to Shazza talk about her musical journey in the full audio-only podcast here: https://str.sg/LstG Discover home-grown artiste Shazza at: YouTube: https://str.sg/JS8i9 Spotify: https://str.sg/wKh4d Instagram: https://str.sg/uoqd Discover home-grown artiste Umar Sirhan at: Spotify: https://str.sg/mWfw Instagram: https://str.sg/kJwC Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team Mixed by: Hadyu Rahim Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home-grown singer and songwriter rhyu is the 11th guest in this music channel. Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In the 11th episode of Music Lab, ST's music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts home-grown singer and songwriter rhyu. The newcomer’s arresting vocals and original songs, a mixture of pop, jazz, and R&B, have garnered comparisons to popular Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey, who reposted one of her videos on TikTok. The 19-year-old, whose real name is Raine Hahn Yu, started releasing music in 2022 and started dabbling in writing and composing songs as a child. She has since staged performances at venues such as the Esplanade, music festivals and was an opening act for Taiwanese band Cicada’s concert in Singapore. In this episode of Music Lab, she sang a live rendition of It’s fine, a song that has garnered over 1.3 million streams on Spotify alone. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:15 Having her song blow up on TikTok 3:28 She came up with the melody while queuing at Old Chang Kee 4:46 Laufey reposted one of her videos on TikTok 6:04 She started writing songs at the age of 4 10:36 Her early influences were Mandopop artistes like JJ Lin and A-mei 13:59 On her studies and a music career 16:25 Her new song came to her in a dream 21:47 Her family used to organise concerts Watch the special live performance and video podcast version of this episode on the Straits Times’ Podcast YouTube channel: https://str.sg/tWma Listen to rhyu’s live performance of It’s fine here: https://str.sg/3FX8Y Discover home-grown artiste rhyu at: Spotify: https://str.sg/bxbh Instagram: https://str.sg/g9Pt Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home-grown singer-songwriter rhyu's intimate live studio take of It's fine, a song first released in 2023, which has a million streams on just Spotify alone. Synopsis (headphones recommended): This Music Lab playlist features the full live performance of music acts invited by The Straits Times to its podcast studio. Watch the special live performance and video podcast version of this episode on the Straits Times’ Podcast YouTube channel: https://str.sg/tWma Listen to rhyu talk about her musical journey in the full audio-only podcast here: https://str.sg/Aqou Discover home-grown artiste rhyu at: Spotify: https://str.sg/bxbh Instagram: https://str.sg/g9Pt Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team Mixed by: Amirul Karim Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home-grown singer, songwriter, and producer Rangga Jones is the tenth guest in this music channel. Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In the 10th episode of Music Lab, ST's music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts home-grown singer, songwriter, and producer Rangga Jones. He might not be a household name in Singapore, but in recent years, the 27-year-old has been steadily building up a fanbase in the region with his R&B/pop songs. On streaming services, the Singapore-based singer has racked up millions of plays, mostly from fans in the Philippines and Indonesia, where he was born. Call Me, a song first released in 2022, has 23 million streams on just Spotify alone. The song also caught the attention of Ruka, a member of South Korean girl group Babymonster, who added it to her public Apple Music playlist. Jones, who started releasing music in 2019, dropped his first full-length album, Emotions, in late 2023. He has already started on new projects, and recently released his latest single, Pushing Me Away. In this episode of Music Lab, he sang live renditions of Call Me as well as Not Good Enough, one of the songs off Emotions. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:45 - On having K-pop star Ruka from Babymonster as a fan 4:19 - Turning his self-consciousness into a song 7:41 - His transition from metalhead to pop singer 9:26 - Ed Sheeran inspired him to be a songwriter 13:01 - On becoming a full-time singer just before the pandemic hit 15:36 - He only learnt to speak English at eight years old 16:04 - On his international fanbase 18:51 - Fans recognise him at his part-time job at a cafe 19:43 - A recent break-up inspired his latest song Watch the special live performance and video podcast version of this episode on the new Straits Times’ Podcast YouTube channel: https://str.sg/KRFD Listen to Rangga's live performance of Call Me here: https://str.sg/GpM7 Listen to Rangga's live performance of not good enough here: https://str.sg/77tv Discover home-grown artiste Rangga Jones at: YouTube: https://str.sg/uqA8 Spotify: https://str.sg/LNPc Instagram: https://str.sg/koXE Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Teo Tong Kai & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home-grown singer, songwriter, and producer Rangga Jones' intimate live studio take of not good enough, a song from his first full-length album, Emotions. Synopsis (headphones recommended): This Music Lab playlist features the full live performance of music acts invited by The Straits Times to its podcast studio. Watch the special live performance and video podcast version of this episode on the new Straits Times’ Podcast YouTube channel: https://str.sg/KRFD Listen to Rangga Jones talk about his musical journey in the full audio-only podcast here: https://str.sg/eN65 Discover home-grown artiste Rangga Jones at: YouTube: https://str.sg/uqA8 Spotify: https://str.sg/LNPc Instagram: https://str.sg/koXE Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Teo Tong Kai & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team Mixed by: Teo Tong Kai Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home-grown singer, songwriter, and producer Rangga Jones' intimate live studio take of Call Me, a song first released in 2022, has 23 million streams on just Spotify alone. Synopsis (headphones recommended): This Music Lab playlist features the full live performance of music acts invited by The Straits Times to its podcast studio. Watch the special live performance and video podcast version of this episode on the new Straits Times’ Podcast YouTube channel: https://str.sg/KRFD Listen to Rangga Jones talk about his musical journey in the full audio-only podcast here: https://str.sg/eN65 Discover home-grown artiste Rangga Jones at: YouTube: https://str.sg/uqA8 Spotify: https://str.sg/LNPc Instagram: https://str.sg/koXE Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Teo Tong Kai & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team Mixed by: Teo Tong Kai Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home-grown singer and songwriter Josh Makazo tells us about his breakout year in 2023. Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In this ninth episode of Music Lab, ST's music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts home-grown singer, songwriter, and producer Josh Makazo. A rising name in the home-grown music scene, he is one of the most popular artists on TikTok in Singapore in 2023. While he was still serving national service, he released his song - half of my heart - which went viral on TikTok and has since racked up over 5.3 million views. Makazo discusses how his strategy of targeting the fanbase of artistes that he was inspired by, such as Korean-Australian singer DPR Ian, helped his music blow up on TikTok. The two versions of the song that he released on Spotify have also clocked over 6 million streams in all. In November, Makazo, 20, released his debut album, Gradient, and it has already gained over 10 million streams across various platforms. In this episode of Music Lab, he sings a live rendition of half of my heart, which is also in his new album. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:59 K-pop fans are using his song to soundtrack their TikTok videos 5:42 How he made his song half of my heart go viral 8:20 His hit song inspired by his first love 14:01 On his musical theatre background and acting in hit musical The Sound Of Music 16:47 His beginnings as a songwriter 21:17 How he used to make music to become famous Listen to Josh's live performance here: https://str.sg/iYCk Discover Singaporean artiste Josh Makazo at: YouTube: https://str.sg/iY96 Spotify: https://str.sg/iY9u Instagram: https://str.sg/iY9L Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim, Eden Soh & Amirul Karim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow Music Lab Podcast episodes here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singaporean singer-songwriter Josh Makazo's intimate live studio take of half of my heart, a song from his latest EP, GRADIENT. Synopsis: This Music Lab playlist features the full live performance of music acts invited by The Straits Times to its podcast studio. Listen to Josh Makazo talk about his musical journey in the full podcast here: https://str.sg/iYCZ Discover Singaporean artiste Josh Makazo at: YouTube: https://str.sg/iY96 Spotify: https://str.sg/iY9u Instagram: https://str.sg/iY9L Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team Mixed by: Amirul Karim Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home-grown pop singer Shye is the eighth guest in this music channel. Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In the eighth episode of Music Lab, ST's music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts home-grown singer, songwriter and producer Shye. At the age of 21, the multi-talented artiste, whose full name is Trinity Shye-Anne Brown, has already achieved much in recent times. Since she made her debut in 2018 at the age of 16, she has released four EPs, one album, and multiple singles and music videos. She was the youngest winner of music competition Vans Musicians Wanted and was also one of the singers behind 2021 National Day Song, The Road Ahead. On streaming services, her songs rack up millions of plays. Love U, a song from her 2020 album days to morning glory, has over 3 million streams on just Spotify alone. She has done concerts not just in Singapore, but also in the United States and China, where she recently took part in a television reality show, Youth Pi Plan. In this episode of Music Lab, the singer sang a live rendition of Need, a song from her latest EP released in early October, 9Lives. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:20 On how her cats helped shape the songs on her new EP, 9LIVES 11:17 She went to China to take part in Youth Pi Plan, a reality television show for young musicians, and ended up as one of the finalists 19:47 Having bad skin as a teenager prompted her to start making music 23:24 What it was like to be the youngest winner of Vans Musicians Wanted at the age of 16 27:37 Singing the 2021 National Day Parade theme song, The Road Ahead, and becoming a role model for young students 35:06 On helping younger talents get a leg up in the music industry Listen to Shye's live performance here: https://str.sg/iGGe Discover Singaporean artiste Shye at: YouTube: https://str.sg/iGpt Spotify: https://str.sg/iGpv Instagram: https://str.sg/iGGk Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim, Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Follow Music Lab Podcast episodes here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's stories: https://str.sg/wFVa Music Lab theme: Eden Soh (composer/arranger-guitar), Ernest Luis (guitar) --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singaporean singer, songwriter, and producer Shye's intimate live studio take of Need, a song from her latest EP, 9Lives. Synopsis: This Music Lab playlist features the full live performance of music acts invited by The Straits Times to its podcast studio. Listen to Shye talk about her musical journey in the full podcast here: https://str.sg/iGGs Discover Singaporean artiste Shye at: YouTube: https://str.sg/iGpt Spotify: https://str.sg/iGpv Instagram: https://str.sg/iGGk Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani, Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Teo Tong Kai Recorded by: ST Podcast Team Mixed by: Teo Tong Kai Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's stories: https://str.sg/wFVa --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Each follow on the audio apps below and a rating really helps us! Happy listening! Synopsis: A brand new feature is within The Straits Times app, which you can download from the Apple app store or the Google Play store. For those of you who already have it, the latest version update now has a dedicated Podcast Section, where you can listen to our latest incoming show episodes and check out back episodes too. You can also choose to follow our podcast RSS feeds, or the shows on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you have a smart home speaker like the Google Home or Nest device, or your Android phone, just say: “Hey Google, play me (name of any of the shows below) or The Straits Times Podcasts.” Get The Straits Times app from The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX Produced & edited by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg) & Teo Tong Kai Follow ST Podcasts: Channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukK Spotify: https://str.sg/wukH SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stpodcasttrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A lack of paying gigs in the past decade despite the odd high-profile appearance has not deterred him from being a full-time musician. Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio to perform a live version of an original composition and chat with us. In this episode of Music Lab, ST's music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts home-grown singer and songwriter Sezairi. The singer first made his name when he won the third and last season of reality television show Singapore Idol in 2009. With his velvety voice and smooth R&B tunes, the singer has since seen his popularity expand into the region in recent years. In 2022, he made history as the first local musician to have a song clock more than 100 million streams on Spotify with the emotive ballad It’s You. He recently released his fourth album, Self Soothing, featuring songs driven by the pursuit of inner peace and emotional stability. Sezairi also sings a live and full intimate acoustic version of Daylight, a song from Self Soothing (link below to the separate clip). Highlights (click/tap above): 2:24 On the album title and how music had a soothing effect on him as a child; having anxiety about his identity as a singer and songwriter 7:55 At 17, deciding he was done with academics and wanted to study music, earning the ire of his father; being kicked out of Lasalle College of the Arts 14:10 Lying about being television host-singer Najip Ali’s cousin at the Singapore Idol auditions; having nerves as a performer till only recently 21:51 Musical culture, support for local artistes in Indonesia, being a hit over there, bringing best practices to SG, redefining the meaning of a "musical KPI" 24:48 On encouragement from his wife Syaza Qistina Tan: "Babe, if we go hungry, we'll go hungry together" 27:29 Being one of the singers of NDP 2021 theme song The Road Ahead and performing to an empty audience Listen to Sezairi's live performance here: https://str.sg/iq9Y Discover Singaporean artiste Sezairi at: YouTube: https://str.sg/iq9G Spotify: https://str.sg/iq9N Instagram: https://str.sg/iq9x Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim, and Eden Soh Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow Music Lab Podcast episodes here every month: Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Eddino Hadi's stories: https://str.sg/wFVa Music Lab theme: Eden Soh (composer/arranger-guitar), Ernest Luis (guitar) --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #musiclabSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.