SINGAPORE, 9 OCTOBER 2020 — “Look at me dance!” –– The Shtambi is back! Singaporean rapper and prized member of the Def Jam South East Asia roster YUNG RAJA lifts the veil on his effortlessly swaggering new single, “The Dance Song”, along with a visually spectrum-blasting music video by frequent collaborator Jasper Tan aka Vadbibes. With this release, Yung Raja joins the Alamo Records roster - a joint venture label of Interscope Records/Geffen based in the United States. With “The Dance Song”, RAJA turns in his most musically ambitious and fully realised work yet. Already one of the leading voices in Southeast Asian hip-hop, with over 3 million streams on Spotify and more than 3 million views on YouTube, RAJA affirms his pioneering and one-of-a-kind status with this latest release. Over an immaculate instrumental, kinetic, playful and irresistibly infectious, by famed Singaporean producer Flightsch, the single features the singular and most compelling helping of what the public has come to love about YUNG RAJA: A dashing sense of humour, unrelenting charm and a distinct self-belief that manifests in a hybridised English-Tamil flow that is deeply potent and intensely poignant without trying too hard to be so. Never before has there been an artist like RAJA in the ecosystem of Southeast Asian hip-hop and never before has this been more apparent. “This is the third and the biggest one, in terms of my artistry”, RAJA says of the song, adding, “Whatever I’ve been figuring out with the YUNG RAJA brand, comes to a head on here”. Indeed, “The Dance Song” is a new and defining experience for the artist himself – and it is amply reflected in the side of himself that he presents therein. Language and charm, his most formidable veneers, blend into a singularity like never before. Whether English or Tamil, every line is quotable. Every line is a sweet spot of humour, confidence and, yes, charm. “It has the Lil Wayne, I’ll-make-you-think- and-chuckle-afterwards-type of tongue-in-cheek writing that I’ve always enjoyed”, is RAJA’s explanation of the song’s philosophical behind-the-scenes. It’s the place from which lines like, “Superstars on me / Please look at my shoes / Ooh! / Hotter than wanton soup” and from whence – spoiler alert! – the most rapid-fire, bar-for-bar delivery ever heard from him unspool. The music video is a likewise next-level endeavour. Its director Vadbibes is keenly aware of this: “I think “Mustafa” was maintained, “Mad Blessings” was slightly crazy and “The Dance Song”...man, it's almost at the end of the spectrum of crazy!” Featuring eye-popping green-screen visuals, hilarious dance sequences that defy the meaning of “dance” and a glorious panorama of Technicolour splendour, it’s the perfect visual rendering of RAJA’s lyrical vision. Yet, for all its sensory delights, “The Dance Song” also affirms a crucial truth: That we shouldn’t have to force being cool. “I don’t know why, but rappers are so obsessed with wanting to be cool all the time”, outlines RAJA. That’s why “The Dance Song” is as self-celebratingly fun and joyous as it is: It’s a reminder that we can live our own truth loud and proud – and dance like no one’s watching while we’re at it. “The Dance Song” will be available on all major music platforms on 9 October 2020 and the Official Music Video will premiere on YUNG RAJA’s VEVO channel at 9pm the same day. In tandem with the release of “The Dance Song”, Yung Raja will be encouraging fans to get up and dance like no one’s watching with #TheWigglyChallenge on TikTok starting 14 October 2020. Aligned with Yung Raja’s belief as an artist, #TheWigglyChallenge is one that aims to bring joy to those who need it. The young rapper hopes that this TikTok challenge is one of the ways he can continue to use his music and voice to spread positivity. Already excited for the #TheWigglyChallenge, artists like Fariz Jabba, SonaOne, Yonny Boi, Iman Fandi and popular local TikTok content creators Germaine Tan, Jaze Phua (@jazephua), Didi (@badgaldidi) are lending their support to join the hashtag challenge.
ABOUT YUNG RAJA Singaporean breakthrough artiste Yung Raja has been dubbed as Southeast Asia’s next avant-garde bilingual hip hop artiste, known for his tasteful unification of Western and Tamil culture in his lyrics. Yung Raja found viral success in Malaysia and Singapore following the release of his debut single “Mustafa”. His second single, “Mad Blessings”, received commendation from Lupe Fiasco and M.I.A. and was the first English-Tamil song to be played on Malaysia’s leading Malay Radio Station, Era. Two tracks in, the rapper has already amassed over 3 million streams on Spotify and more than 3 million views on YouTube. Lauded for his formidable command of English-Tamil rap, Yung Raja continues to confront the industry with his seamless bilingual delivery and distinct amalgamation of cultural references as a starting point for celebrating inclusivity in society. Yung Raja has worked with brands spanning BVLGARI, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and is an adidas creator. Amongst other media, the artiste has appeared on the cover of Esquire Singapore (May 2020), Men’s Folio (November 2019) and featured in Female Magazine. In 2019, Yung Raja won the Asian Academy Award for Best Lifestyle/Entertainment Presenter and Host for his work on Yo! MTV Raps. Born and raised in Singapore, Yung Raja aims to reinvent societal views in and out of his homeland, inspire the next generation of cultural conservators, and elevate Southeast Asian hip hop to world class stages through his music. In 2019, the rapper signed to Def Jam South East Asia.
ABOUT DEF JAM SOUTH EAST ASIA Founded in 1984, Def Jam Recordings began as a maverick independent label inspired by downtown New York City's vibrant street culture and the emerging sound of hip-hop. Def Jam has represented the very best in cutting-edge music for 35 years, pioneered by iconic stars like LL Cool J, Slick Rick, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. Over the following two decades, Def Jam established its dominance with superstar acts like Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man & Redman, Ludacris, Rihanna, Jeezy, and the inimitable Kanye West. Now in its fourth decade, Def Jam's music and lifestyle has grown into a global brand – synonymous with creativity, quality and authenticity – encompassing a diverse roster of marquee and emerging stars like West, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara, Logic, Pusha T, Jadakiss, Vince Staples, Jeremih, Big Sean, YG, 2 Chainz, Dave East, and Jhene Aiko, among others. With the launch of Def Jam South East Asia, Def Jam has reaffirmed its passion for and commitment to hip-hop culture, and has expanded its global brand reach to the emerging markets in South East Asia.
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