TWENTY-five-year-old rapper Orang Malaya has released his latest EP titled 'Karya Cinta Suprima' which explores his personal journey, touching on social ills and relationship issues that are all too familiar with young Malaysians.
The 7-track EP, which was released on major music platforms on Friday (December 18), offers listeners a peek into the singer's eventful life.
Self-composed and written, Orang Malaya – real name Arief Othman – noted the EP takes on a vague and darkened theme and can at times be rather self-deprecating. This, he said, was coupled with the elements of the good and the bad.
For example, in the focus single ‘Xde Rahsia’, the artist incorporates vivid imagery to tell a story about insincere “friends” gossiping about him. They are said to obsess about and discuss the singer's past or petty occurrences that involve drug abuse and adultery.
However, the singer likens himself to an open book and claims he has no secrets.
With the release, Orang Malaya notes he was embarking on a journey of self-discovery and is not afraid to bring his fans and listeners to tag along for the ride.
Orang Malaya noted the EP blends the rap subgenre known as UK Drill – often known for lyrics covering dark exploits and sedentary lifestyles – and intense hyperpop tunes that are sung in Malay.
Amongst the sea of rap artists that have arisen in recent years, Orang Malaya opts for honest lyricism and musicality rather than latching on trends, and yet he is not too closed off to familiar sounds.
"Nowadays, I just tend to focus more on what is sincere and just vibe with whatever (is) around to vibe with," he told The Vibes.
"Whether it be generic consumer music or something more meaningful, I consumed most of what the world can offer."
Since 2014, Orang Malaya has garnered hundreds of thousands of listens across digital platforms, beginning with Soundcloud.
As a prolific songwriter and producer with a DIY work ethic, the rapper launched his debut EP 'Radland Inn' in 2015, which would go on to inspire a raft of other bedroom electronic musicians in Malaysia.
As an independent musician, Orang Malaya has performed at big stages such as Urbanscapes, Uber: Yuna Homecoming, Goodvibesfestival X Boiler Room, RTB Festival and his own homecoming show sponsored by RTB and Vans.
Malaya has also collaborated with up-and-coming local acts such as Gard, Quai, Ichu, Shelhiel, I-Sky, Izhar, Airliftz, Bastard, as well as international acts Ramengvrl (Indonesia) Laze (Indonesia), JiaFeng (China), and SOWUT (Taiwan).
On the artistic elements that combined to make the EP, Orang Malaya said he would sample fragments that he liked, stitching them together to be part of a large "scrapbook".
"From semi-freestyling Malay slang on a drill beat, to sampling a Beyoncé-esque drumline, I'm trying everything to make things feel cool and sincere.
"I would just try to feel the beat and freestyle with some points that I write in my notebook. Not much writing but just having fun playing with my inner thoughts and patching it in many ways."
As for the EP’s recording process, Orang Malaya notes that it was "nothing fancy".
"It's just better (than previous works) in terms of songwriting because the challenging part was to actually turn Malay jargon into poetry that can fit with high tempo music."
Conceptually, Orang Malaya said the album was deeply influenced by jazz maestro John Coltrane's album 'A Love Supreme', which the rapper likens to a "spiritual rebirth" of the saxophonist who he relates to closely.
“It's the motivation that kept me going in producing better-written music and just being sincere about it.”
On his favourite song on the EP, Orang Malaya said it was 'Wow Bulan' as it was the climax of the recording.
"It's like that one generic scene in a classic romantic movie where that guy can finally pull the moon for the lady that he dearly loves." - The Vibes, December 20, 2020
