ARABYRD is an artist and songwriter who has made a name for herself in the Malaysian music industry.
Arabyrd is actually the stage name of Arafah Edruce, whose journey to success has been shaped by her passion for music, her love for writing and her inquisitive nature.
The first of six siblings was exposed to the music industry at a young age. Since both her parents worked in music, this meant that she was surrounded by it constantly.
This environment sparked her curiosity and she became fascinated by the workings behind the scenes. Always eager to learn and unlearn, she spent countless hours observing how people expressed themselves through music.
Music was the only language she knew and it was through writing that she discovered her own voice. Because she loved to write, Arabyrd filled her diaries with her thoughts and feelings.
However, despite her love for music and writing, she said she could not sing. It was not until she was introduced to Tupac, the American rapper, that Arabyrd found a way to combine her passion for writing with her love for music.
Tupac’s ability to weave poetry into his music inspired Arabyrd so much that she began writing her own lyrics.
When she was 11-years-old, she was also heavily influenced by Wu-Tang Clan, an American hip hop group..
Her journey to become an artist and songwriter was not an easy one. Moving back and forth between Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, she faced numerous challenges along the way.
Despite the setbacks, Arabyrd remained determined to pursue her dream of making music. She honed her writing skills and worked tirelessly to improve her craft.
Now, at the age of 38, Arabyrd has become a respected figure in the Malaysian music scene. Her music is a reflection of her life experiences, and her lyrics are a testament to her ability to express herself through words.
New Sarawak Tribune met her recently to get to know her better.
New Sarawak Tribune: How does it start?
Arabyrd: Growing up in Kuching, I never imagined that one day I would become a rapper. I was a nerd and spent most of my time playing golf, which I had a passion for, and I thought I was going to be an athlete for the rest of my life.
However, everything changed when I was introduced to rap music for the first time. I was sceptical at first, and my initial reaction was, “Apa tok oo?” which translates to “What is this?” in English.
But then, I realised that I could make music just by rapping, and I started exploring it with my friends.
Together, we formed a label called Kuching Connexion, and we began writing and rapping together.
One day, one of my cousins, who had a studio in Matang, asked me to record a song. I went along just to hang out, but his father suggested that they try to get a girl involved in the recording.
So, on the fly, I wrote something and recorded it. To my surprise, everyone thought I sounded good, and I started to pursue rapping as a hobby.
When I moved to Kuala Lumpur (KL) for university, I met people in the music industry through my mum, friends, and college friends. It was then that I began to work with established musicians like Ruffedge and Too Phat. I recorded numerous songs with them, went on tours with them, and followed them around.
Despite all of this, I still didn’t see music as my profession. I thought of it as a way to make new friends, travel, and perform. However, everything changed when I was offered a solo gig in Singapore.
At the festival, an organiser, Gilles Peterson, was impressed by my performance and offered me an opportunity to perform at a festival in South of France. I didn’t think too much of it at first, but his personal assistant contacted me two weeks later and asked for my passport details.
Before I knew it, I was on a plane to southern France. It was at that festival, the Worldwide Music Festival, where I met my producer.
The name Arabyrd came about during that time and has stuck with me ever since.
Where does the name Arabyrd come from?
A lot of people are wondering how I came up with my stage name. There’s no special story behind it.
After I graduated, I started working at an advertising agency. At that time, I never imagined myself pursuing music or rap as a career.
However, my colleague who sat across from me used to call me “hey birdie,” and it stuck. It wasn’t until I was booked for a festival in Singapore that I had to choose a stage name.
The organiser asked me if I wanted to use a different name, and that’s when I looked at my colleague and said, “Erm, you just put Arabird lah.” The organiser then suggested changing the “i” to a “y” for a cooler font, and I agreed.
So that’s how Arabyrd was born. I didn’t have to try too hard; it just happened organically.
What has been your biggest challenge as a female rapper in a male-dominated industry? And how do you overcome them?
As a female rapper, I’ve often been asked about the challenges I face in a male-dominated industry. And honestly, the biggest challenge is the question itself.
To me, if you’re a rapper, you’re a rapper. It shouldn’t matter what gender you are.
But I do acknowledge that when I started out with Phlowtron and Kartel (under Too Phat), I was often the only girl in the crew. And when you’re travelling with boys, you end up being the girl without any special treatment or privileges.
You can’t expect to be treated like a princess or have people cater to your every need. You just have to man up and hold your own.
But I have to say, despite the occasional macho behaviour from some of my male counterparts, I’ve never felt left out or unsupported. In fact, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how welcoming and supportive most people in the industry have been.
How would you describe your musical style?
As an artist, my musical style has evolved over time, shaped by my personal experiences and influences.
When I first started out, my music was eclectic and angry, with a strong focus on being loud. However, as I’ve matured as a person and developed a deeper understanding of the world around me, I’ve come to appreciate the value of introspection and self-reflection.
One of the biggest influences on my music has been my home state of Sarawak. Even when I’m far away from home, the familiar sound of the sape or the mention of a Sarawakian story can instantly trigger a flood of emotions and memories.
This connection to my roots has become an integral part of my artistic identity, as I strive to infuse every track with a Sarawakian influence.
When I work with my producers, I always make it a point to incorporate traditional instruments like the sape or flute, as well as incorporate lyrics in Sarawakian. This not only gives my music a unique sound, but it also allows me to showcase the richness of Sarawakian culture to a wider audience.
Whether I’m performing at festivals around the world or collaborating with other artists, I always make it a priority to represent my home state and share its stories with the world.
What has been your most memorable performance or collaboration?
As a musician, I have had my fair share of memorable performances and collaborations. However, there is one performance that stands out to me the most—it was in Graz, Austria, back in 2009.
At the time, I was recording in Vienna for about three months and was given the opportunity to perform at a festival held in a cave on a mountain in Graz.
The view was breathtaking; the mountains were high up, and everything was just green with a clear blue sky. As a Sarawakian girl, performing in a cave in Austria was an experience.
I remember meeting so many people from different backgrounds and nationalities, all coming together for the love of music. After my performance, my producer asked if I wanted to be the MC for Diplo. At that time, Diplo was not as famous as he is now, but his music was amazing, and I couldn’t stop talking about it.
Fast forward to another performance in Balikpapan, northeast of Kalimantan, an oil and gas city in Indonesia. My band and I were the only hip-hop Malaysian performers amidst indie Indonesian bands.
The audience threw a tyre at us, and they hated our set. I think it was because they hated hip-hop in general.
It was a negative experience, but we turned it into a positive one. We received an outpouring of love and support from our fans, who felt bad about what happened.
How do you approach writing and performing your lyrics, and what themes or messages do you try to convey in your music?
As a songwriter and performer, my goal has always been to create music that is evergreen. I am driven by intense emotions, whether it be extreme happiness, sadness, anger, or deep love, and I find that it’s during these times that I am most inspired to write.
When I sit down to write a song, I pour my heart and soul onto the page. It can take days or even weeks to finish a single song, but the ones that I’m most proud of are often written in just an hour or two.
Writing has been a natural talent of mine since I was a child, and I always make sure that my lyrics are authentic and based on my own experiences.
While my music doesn’t have a specific message that I try to convey, my Sarawakian songs often have a moral message that I hope will resonate with people for years to come.
For example, my song “Kek” may have a vulgar title, but its message is one of humility and the importance of speaking in a language that people can relate to.
My upcoming song is focused on nature, and I’m excited to bring this message to my audience. However, I’ve been hesitant to shoot a music video because I don’t want to bring my baby to the woods. I’m hopeful that I can find a solution before the end of the year.
I don’t write music that is trendy or meant to be “current.” Instead, I aim to create music that will always be relevant and stand the test of time.
Music has a way of connecting people and their emotions, and I hope that my music resonates with people and helps them feel seen and understood.
What are you besides a rapper?
As a performer, my life took an unexpected turn during the movement control order (MCO). With no live shows or events to attend, I found myself pivoting to new opportunities, including hosting a TV show in Sarawak.
The show focused on textiles, and I was tasked with exploring the different types of fabrics, such as batik and songket, while travelling across Malaysia. It was an exciting experience that allowed me to see parts of my country that I had never seen before.
After finishing the show, I returned home to KL only to receive another offer to act. I was eager to explore different sides of myself and jumped at the chance to take on a new role.
This was followed by more acting and hosting opportunities, which kept me busy travelling back and forth between KL and Sarawak.
During this time, I also began to reassess my priorities. I had been djing for a long time, but it no longer felt like the right fit for me.
Instead, I found myself gravitating towards hosting and acting, as they allowed me to connect with people and explore different characters within myself. I was thriving in this new environment but I was also getting tired.
It was during one of my trips to Sarawak that I received an offer to shoot a travel log for the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB). I jumped at the chance to explore more of my home state, and it was during this trip that I began to realise that home truly was where the heart was.
I had spent so much time away from home, but I knew I needed to return to Sarawak.
After two years of exploring new opportunities and travelling between KL and Sarawak, I realised that my priorities had shifted.
I was now a wife and soon, a mother, and my family had become my top priority. I knew that I needed to stay in Sarawak to build a life with my family and to continue exploring everything that this beautiful state had to offer.
Today, I am a rapper, DJ, actor, host, wife, and mother, and I cannot be happier. I have found my true calling in life, and I am grateful for every opportunity that has brought me to where I am today.
While my journey may have been unexpected, it has taught me that sometimes the greatest opportunities come from stepping outside your comfort zone and exploring new paths.
