[INTERVIEW] This Malay Singer Is a Trail-Blazing Mandopop Sensation in China

By Danial Martinus  •  15 Aug 2024 in Interview

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Firdhaus (菲道尔) is a rising star in the Mandopop scene. You might have heard about him through his hit, ‘Gulf of Alaska’, which propelled the Malaysian singer onto the screens of millions of users on Chinese social media platform Douyin. He’s carved out a unique path as one of the few Malay artists pursuing this genre.

We spoke to Firdhaus about his journey as a Mandopop singer and the nuances of breaking into an already competitive industry.

Breaking new ground

A native of Kulai, Johor, Firdhaus’ journey began in his formative years at a Chinese-language kindergarten and Chinese vernacular school in Malaysia, where he spent 12 years immersed in the language and culture. This early exposure laid the foundation for his fluency in Mandarin, making it a natural medium for his songwriting and singing.

“My interest in Mandopop was ignited when I first heard Jay Chou,” Firdhaus recalls. “His music inspired me to start writing my own songs. Joining my high school’s guitar club further fuelled this passion, as I learned to play the guitar, an essential tool for my songwriting.”

But breaking into the Mandopop industry wasn’t an easy endeavour, naturally. Firdhaus faced stiff competition and the pressure to distinguish himself in an already crowded market. “One of the main obstacles was the high level of competition,” he shares. “Navigating the industry’s expectations and building a unique identity can be challenging.”

In order to overcome these hurdles, Firdhaus stayed true to his artistic vision while remaining open to learning from others in the industry.

“Embracing feedback and continuously evolving as an artist helped me carve out my own space within the Mandopop genre. Building a supportive network and collaborating with other artists also played a significant role in overcoming these obstacles.”

Finally falling into place

Firdhaus began to see his hard work pay off with the release of his album Up & Down. The success of this album and subsequent hits marked a turning point in his career.

“I started realising that things were finally falling into place after I released my album Up & Down. I was fortunate to have another song become a hit, followed by a few more after that. This made me feel like I had proven myself not to be a one-hit wonder,” he shares.

Today, Firdhaus is grateful for the recognition he’s received, particularly being featured on Apple Music’s ‘Here’s to the Dreamers’ campaign.

“Being recognised as one of the featured Malaysian artists is a huge honour, and it’s something I don’t take lightly. It’s amazing to see my music reaching a wider audience, and it motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and representing Malaysia on the global stage.”

Firdhaus’ advice for people trying to carve their own paths in the industry is to “stay true to your branding and stick to it.” He also stresses that music should be honest and genuine, and that it’s important to connect with your audience on an emotional level.

Three essential tracks to explore if you’re not familiar with Firdhaus, handpicked by the man himself:

‘Gulf of Alaska’

‘Gulf of Alaska’ remains one of Firdhaus’ most personal songs, inspired by a relationship that mirrors the song’s namesake — the actual Gulf of Alaska is a natural phenomenon where two bodies of water meet but do not mix.

“I met a girl I truly loved and wanted to take care of for the rest of my life, but just like the waters that never mix, we were ultimately separated by the realities of life,” Firdhaus shares.

‘Up & Down’

As the title track of his album, ‘Up & Down’ represents Firdhaus’ journey and growth as an artist.

“It’s a great example of my evolving sound and the themes I explore in my music.”

‘Hello Again’

A heartfelt tribute to those who have supported him, ‘Hello Again’ reflects on the beauty of connections despite inevitable endings.

For more music and entertainment news, head to JUICE Malaysia.