SYA, Def Jam's taboo-breaking female Malaysian rapper

Wearing sunglasses and a tiger print dress as she raps into a mic, Malaysian hip-hop artist SYA calls for empowerment while taking a sledgehammer to stereotypes of Muslim women. "I just want women to feel more comfortable in their own skin," SYA, whose long dark hair is uncovered, tells journalists. "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 Singapore artist Yung Raja, includes scenes of SYA dressed in white, and stroking a cat wearing a pearl necklace in a lavish bedroom. Underlining 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."

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 behaviour is not appropriate for a young Muslim woman.

"I've had a lot of disturbing comments," the rapper reveals, 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?'"

"Imposter syndrome hit me"

While Malaysia is a relatively affluent country, society remains largely conservative, with critics saying women's rights are not sufficiently protected and harassment is common. SYA says she is facing down the "patriarchal mindset" and "sexualisation" 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 behaviour seen as undermining the faith.

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

"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 started a push into Southeast Asia, seeking to capitalise 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," says SYA.

The star confesses she was plagued by "self-doubt" and taken aback by her success.

She recalls: "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."

"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 towards hip hop as it was "such an outspoken type of genre".

Her parents are "getting used to the idea" of her becoming a star, she said, adding that her mum was her "biggest supporter". After months of only doing online shows due to a lengthy coronavirus 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. Rapper Namewee, from the country's ethnic Chinese minority, relocated to Taiwan after controversy over videos he made that critics allege insult Islam. Despite this, SYA still thinks male artists have far more freedom to rap about sensitive subjects in the conservative country without fear of being criticised.

"For the boys, there are no limitations. If they want to rap about sex or weed, it is 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."    (AFP)