“What does (religion) have to do with me as an artist, and what I create?” she said. 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.īut 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.įor SYA - real name Nur Batrisya Mohammad Nazri - art and religion should be kept firmly separate, however. SYA says she is facing down the “patriarchal mindset” and “sexualisation” of those who don’t conform to the cliched expectations of Muslim women 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.

“‘Is she a Muslim? How much per night? Why is she showing so much skin?'” ‘Imposter syndrome hit me’ “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. 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. 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. 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.”

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. “I don’t have to pretend to be somebody else just to fit what society deems is good.” “I just want women to feel more comfortable in their own skin,” SYA, whose long dark hair is uncovered, tells AFP. The first female signing for label Def Jam - the label behind superstars from Jay-Z and Rihanna to BTS and Justin Bieber - in Southeast Asia, her debut single “PrettyGirlBop” tackles misogyny and acceptance in her Muslim-majority homeland.

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