Latest news with #RoadtoFAM
Hypebeast
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
88rising's Road to FAM Finale Transformed Hua Lamphong into Asia's Cultural Runway
Bangkok's historic Hua Lamphong Railway Station transformed into a high-energy runway of music, fashion, and cultural clout as 88rising'sFuture Asian Music (FAM)platform wrapped its Road to FAM tour with a sold-out finale on July 9. The Road to FAM Finale was part of the Official Music Program for Thailand's Splash – Soft Power Forum, which spanned from July 8–9 and featured music industry panels, the debut of FAM Studios at Cloud11 — a new creative space designed to empower emerging Asian artists — and the anchor performance closing out the Road to FAM series. Over 2,600 fans and creatives packed the terminal to witness a stacked lineup headlined by Thai rap phenomMILLI—who debuted a never-before-heard track, 'Sick With It,' from her upcoming album HEAVYWEIGHT. Through a partnership with THACCA, the historic station was transformed into a concert venue for the first time in its history, unlocking a new cultural use for one of Bangkok's most iconic landmarks. The concert was a milestone for live music in Southeast Asia, and a moment for highlighting progressive fashion. In a nod toLevi's®sponsorship and commitment to creative expression, select artists wore customized denim looks designed by regional stylists and Jabba's look, reworked byYouths in Balaclava, spotlightedraw denim craftsmanshipwith exposed seams and reconstructed layers that celebrated what's usually hidden. Malaysian rapperZamaerarocked a daring silhouette byuglyprettyfeaturing jacket collars reimagined into a powerful bust-line cutout—embodying her unapologetic femininity. Meanwhile, MILLI turned heads in a trench coat made entirely from Levi's patchworked denim jeans, styled by Tang (WONGSAYOT NAPAWAROM), layered over a western-inspired ensemble that brought serious main character energy. Beyond MILLI's headline moment, the night was charged with standout performances from a pan-Asian cast of rising bangers like 'Cashmere' and 'Vaselina' with full throttle, while Zamaera lit up the station with fan-favorite anthems like 'Helly Kelly' and 'Get Munni.' Fariz Jabba flexed lyrical storytelling with 'X Games' and 'Gun-T,' building on the energy of his previous tour stops. Local talent also took the spotlight sultry R&B,GALCHANIE's genre-hopping hits, andPROXIE's synchronized pop charm. In the days leading up to the finale, the momentum extended to FAM Studios at Cloud11, where emerging artists from across Asia gathered for two days of collaborative programming. Designed to nurture cross-border creative exchange, the lineup included intimate sessions, networking opportunities, and skill-building workshops—most notably, a masterclass led by Grammy-winning songwriter and producer James Fauntleroy. The studio became a creative hub for the region's next wave of talent to connect and grow. Road to FAM – The Finale felt like a cultural summit where music, fashion, and regional power converged. Thai actors, influencers, and artists mingled with international talent, marking a new chapter for Asian creativity on the global stage. As FAM Studios at Cloud11 opens its doors and 88rising gears up for more cross-border ventures, the future of Asian music signals a bold new era.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Zamaera on headlining Road to FAM, first national tour The Epiphany Tour.
BREAKING the glass ceiling has often been necessary for Sharifah Zamaera Syed Zafilen Al Edros, popularly known as Zamaera in the local hip-hop community. As one of the few prominent female rappers in Malaysia, the 30-year-old had to carve her own path while navigating the inequality of a male-dominated industry. But that did not prevent Zamaera from charting a course that challenges preconceptions of what a female rapper can achieve. The Subang Jaya native has gone on to break new ground since emerging as the only female finalist in the 2016 Red Bull Blend Cypher rap battle. Upon making her debut with Helly Kelly, she opened for major artistes such as Masego, Sza and Vince Staples. She was also the first artiste to headline a hip-hop show at Istana Budaya during the 2020 Asean-Korean Music Festival. In 2023, she launched Southeast Asia's first all-female music festival Queendom Fest through her company Mean Malaya Entertainment. More recently, she not only headlined 88Rising x Levi's first Road to Future Asian Music (FAM) show but also organised her first national tour – The Epiphany Tour. The Road to FAM shows are a collaboration between record label 88rising and denim brand Levi's. Serving as the build-up for its finale Future Asian Music, the new series was created to highlight the next generation of Asian artistes. The Epiphany Tour saw Zamaera performing in six states across the country – Kedah, Penang, Perak, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak. Fresh from achieving these milestones, Zamaera spoke to theSun about carving out a singular and unique path to stardom. What has the experience been like – going from the Red Bull Blend Cypher's rap battle to headlining 88Rising x Levi's Road to FAM festival and The Epiphany Tour? That was almost nine years ago! I was 21 then and I was the only female in the whole circle. That experience set the tone for my career from then onwards. At that time, female representation in hip-hop was far from many but I remember seeing Arabyrd, Kayda Aziz, Hunny Madu and Mizz Nina, and sharing a stage with a few of them at Raising The Bar. I loved being put together with these other strong and creative female figures. And that goes hand in hand with my involvement with Road to FAM. Representing my country alongside other independent Asian artistes is exactly where I belong. Was headlining a festival such as Road to FAM something on your vision board? Most definitely! I have always wanted to collaborate with 88Rising since they signed artistes such as Rich Brian, Niki and Milli. I am a third culture kid, so coming from Southeast Asia (SEA) while being exposed to various cultures impacts my artistry and mentality as a whole. Headlining ultimately assures me that I am exactly on the right path towards my future goals and dreams of representing Malaysia and SEA on an international stage and winning a Grammy. What is something you took away from your time working on Road to FAM? You have got to trust your team. I have been independent for such a long time that I am used to working on my own. But I have been building a great team and I had to learn how to let go and just focus on being creative. I have also learned to not panic in a crisis. I remember we had a wardrobe malfunction about the third song in my live performance. I could feel my top kind of slipping off but as the saying goes, 'The show must go on'. So, I just kept singing and rapping while announcing we were going through a wardrobe malfunction. Fortunately, the crowd was supportive. There is something about being completely your own true self I believe people enjoy and respect. Speaking of which, how did your Epiphany Tour go? Did everything go according to plan? The whole Epiphany Tour came about based on something that did not go as planned. I had initially planned a Japan tour but it ended up being postponed. This was due to issues out of my control. But my team and I had just returned from our month-long trip in the US. I just wanted to continue that intense spark of inspiration. I am glad that we made the tour happen because it was one of the best experiences that I went through. I learned about each city and connected with like-minded artistes and entrepreneurs all while meeting fans. I could not be where I am without my fans and my amazing team. What was the process like – putting everything together considering how tough it can be for local artistes? It is extremely challenging. It challenges your mental fortitude, patience, focus and discipline. But most importantly, it is extremely humbling. You do not realise all the work that goes behind the scenes until you have done it. The success of an event, a single release and an album launch is truly the combination of the art and the machine behind it that drives everything towards the pinnacle of exploration and breakthrough. What else are you working towards? I have many personally and professionally. I will let you in on one that is already in the works! I am currently working on my very first Asian tour. I am also collaborating with an international artiste that I have always wanted to work with. Stay tuned! Will we be seeing you at the FAM Festival in Bangkok next month? Yes, of course. I am so excited to be performing alongside all the talented SEA artistes and representing Malaysia of course. It is going to be the show of a lifetime.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Breaking barriers in M'sian hip-hop
BREAKING the glass ceiling has often been necessary for Sharifah Zamaera Syed Zafilen Al Edros, popularly known as Zamaera in the local hip-hop community. As one of the few prominent female rappers in Malaysia, the 30-year-old had to carve her own path while navigating the inequality of a male-dominated industry. But that did not prevent Zamaera from charting a course that challenges preconceptions of what a female rapper can achieve. The Subang Jaya native has gone on to break new ground since emerging as the only female finalist in the 2016 Red Bull Blend Cypher rap battle. Upon making her debut with Helly Kelly, she opened for major artistes such as Masego, Sza and Vince Staples. She was also the first artiste to headline a hip-hop show at Istana Budaya during the 2020 Asean-Korean Music Festival. In 2023, she launched Southeast Asia's first all-female music festival Queendom Fest through her company Mean Malaya Entertainment. More recently, she not only headlined 88Rising x Levi's first Road to Future Asian Music (FAM) show but also organised her first national tour – The Epiphany Tour. The Road to FAM shows are a collaboration between record label 88rising and denim brand Levi's. Serving as the build-up for its finale Future Asian Music, the new series was created to highlight the next generation of Asian artistes. The Epiphany Tour saw Zamaera performing in six states across the country – Kedah, Penang, Perak, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak. Fresh from achieving these milestones, Zamaera spoke to theSun about carving out a singular and unique path to stardom. What has the experience been like – going from the Red Bull Blend Cypher's rap battle to headlining 88Rising x Levi's Road to FAM festival and The Epiphany Tour? That was almost nine years ago! I was 21 then and I was the only female in the whole circle. That experience set the tone for my career from then onwards. At that time, female representation in hip-hop was far from many but I remember seeing Arabyrd, Kayda Aziz, Hunny Madu and Mizz Nina, and sharing a stage with a few of them at Raising The Bar. I loved being put together with these other strong and creative female figures. And that goes hand in hand with my involvement with Road to FAM. Representing my country alongside other independent Asian artistes is exactly where I belong. Was headlining a festival such as Road to FAM something on your vision board? Most definitely! I have always wanted to collaborate with 88Rising since they signed artistes such as Rich Brian, Niki and Milli. I am a third culture kid, so coming from Southeast Asia (SEA) while being exposed to various cultures impacts my artistry and mentality as a whole. Headlining ultimately assures me that I am exactly on the right path towards my future goals and dreams of representing Malaysia and SEA on an international stage and winning a Grammy. What is something you took away from your time working on Road to FAM? You have got to trust your team. I have been independent for such a long time that I am used to working on my own. But I have been building a great team and I had to learn how to let go and just focus on being creative. I have also learned to not panic in a crisis. I remember we had a wardrobe malfunction about the third song in my live performance. I could feel my top kind of slipping off but as the saying goes, 'The show must go on'. So, I just kept singing and rapping while announcing we were going through a wardrobe malfunction. Fortunately, the crowd was supportive. There is something about being completely your own true self I believe people enjoy and respect. Speaking of which, how did your Epiphany Tour go? Did everything go according to plan? The whole Epiphany Tour came about based on something that did not go as planned. I had initially planned a Japan tour but it ended up being postponed. This was due to issues out of my control. But my team and I had just returned from our month-long trip in the US. I just wanted to continue that intense spark of inspiration. I am glad that we made the tour happen because it was one of the best experiences that I went through. I learned about each city and connected with like-minded artistes and entrepreneurs all while meeting fans. I could not be where I am without my fans and my amazing team. What was the process like – putting everything together considering how tough it can be for local artistes? It is extremely challenging. It challenges your mental fortitude, patience, focus and discipline. But most importantly, it is extremely humbling. You do not realise all the work that goes behind the scenes until you have done it. The success of an event, a single release and an album launch is truly the combination of the art and the machine behind it that drives everything towards the pinnacle of exploration and breakthrough. What else are you working towards? I have many personally and professionally. I will let you in on one that is already in the works! I am currently working on my very first Asian tour. I am also collaborating with an international artiste that I have always wanted to work with. Stay tuned! Will we be seeing you at the FAM Festival in Bangkok next month? Yes, of course. I am so excited to be performing alongside all the talented SEA artistes and representing Malaysia of course. It is going to be the show of a lifetime.
Hypebeast
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
ZAMAERA, Damien Mirza and Roshan Light Up Kuala Lumpur at Road to FAM
The night was electric in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown as Malaysia's own rap powerhouse,ZAMAERA, took center stage for the latest stop in the sold out 'Road to FAM' series. In a city brimming with music, the event—held at the intimate yet pulsing Over & Above venue—proved that Southeast Asia's next wave of artists is more than ready to claim their place on the global stage. Presented byFuture Asian Music (FAM)andLevi's®, 'Road to FAM' is a city-hopping music showcase that's been turning heads across the region. After packed-out shows in Manila and Singapore, the energy arrived in KL on May 21, where ZAMAERA headlined a night that blended hip hop, R&B, and denim culture into something uniquely Malaysian. ZAMAERA, who first made waves with her viral anthem 'Helly Kelly,' didn't disappoint. Decked out in a custom Levi's® look by local labelUGLY PRETTY—think layered denim corset, miniskirt, and a blazer-trench hybrid—the rapper owned the stage. Her setlist was a masterclass in crowd work, weaving together fan favorites like 'Big Fish' and new drops like 'Jumper' with the kind of energy that had the whole room moving. At one point, she even invited fans to dance with her on stage—a move that turned the packed venue into a full-on dance floor. The evening's vibe was set by local DJs Damien Mirza and Prav, who warmed up the crowd with hip hop and R\&B mixes that had people grooving long before ZAMAERA's first beat dropped. And in a nod to the city's creative community, Levi's® also teamed up with graffiti artistCloakwork, turning the event into more than just a concert—it was a night of style, music, and culture coming together in one sweaty, joyful room. For ZAMAERA, the look she wore wasn't just about fashion—it was a statement. 'She owns her identity unapologetically, and I wanted her outfit to reflect that strength and fearlessness,' said UGLY PRETTY, the designer behind the piece. The message? You don't just have to make music to make waves. The 'Road to FAM' series isn't just about the live shows, either. Each stop is being captured in a mini-documentary series that'll dig into the artists' roots and creative journeys. And with the final show set to close out in Jakarta with RAMENGVRL, there's plenty more to come. It's clear that FAM and Levi's® are tapping into something real: a community-driven platform that celebrates emerging talent and builds bridges between local scenes and global ears. If the Kuala Lumpur show was any indication, the future of Asian music isn't just bright—it's blinding. Learn more about the series
Hypebeast
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Zack Tabudlo, Hideki Ito and T33G33 Hit the Road with Levi's® and 88rising's City by City Music Series
88rising'sFuture Asian Music(FAM) andLevi's®, announced the Road to FAM series last month, honoring the global music scene and spotlighting burgeoning Asian talent. The free, multi-city performance experience will hit Singapore, Jakarta, Manila and Kuala Lumpur this month and it kicked off in high spirits in Manila. The series celebrates the next generation of talent as well as Levi's® cultural innovation, as the tour aligns with the anniversary of the iconic 501® jeans, worn by stars of all walks of life from past generations. FAM got the party started at Manila's Apotheka on May 14, with tickets selling out in less than a day. The inaugural show proved to be extra special as Manila-based musicianZack Tubudlotook to his hometown stage alongside local rising DJ talentHideki ItoandT33G33. Tubudlo made his mark on the music industry and placed a spotlight on Filipino talent with his viral tracks, including'Binibini,'which he broke a record with as the first Filipino artist to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify. To set the tone for the event, the DJ openers warmed up the crowd with techno, house, R&B and indie pop tracks. Tubudlo then performed his latest single'Manoloko,'as well as some other fan-favorite hits. He wore a Levi's® custom outfit crafted in collaboration with local designerRio Cuervoto further honor the local creative scene. Cuervo was directly inspired by Tubudlo's sound when creating the one-of-one look. She shared that she was actually listening to his song 'Manoloko' while designing. 'The patchwork jacket is my favorite because that's truly a combination of Zack's art, which is his music, and my art in repurposed clothing. I was very much inspired by how his music mends hearts. I mend retaso,' says Cuervo. Limited-edition Levi's® patches were created for guests of the event by Global, Skunkworks and Zack Tubudlo's team and there are more surprises to come on the rest of the Road to FAM tour stops. To close off the multi-city music series at the end of the month, Jakarta's headliner Ramengvrl has invited labelmateKENZ, an Indonesian rapper co-signed byRamengvrlherself, to join the roster on stage at ZOO SCBD on May 25th. Tickets are still available, so don't miss out. Learn more about the series
