Malaysian rapper SYA battles ‘patriarchal mindset’ to break stereotypes of Muslim women
- SYA is the first Southeast Asian female artist to sign with Def Jam – the label behind stars from Jay-Z to Rihanna and Justin Bieber
- Her debut single, PrettyGirlBop, tackles misogyny and acceptance in her Muslim-majority homeland
Wearing sunglasses and a tiger print dress as she raps into a mic, Malaysian hip-hop artist SYA calls for empowerment while taking a sledgehammer to stereotypes of Muslim women.
“I just want women to feel more comfortable in their own skin,” said SYA, whose long dark hair is uncovered. “I don’t have to pretend to be somebody else just to fit what society deems is good.”
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.
Underlining her desire that women should not be pigeonholed, it then switches to her holding a snake and wearing a leopard print jacket, as she defiantly raps: “I wanna be like me.”
I’ve had a lot of disturbing comments. ‘Is she a Muslim? Why is she showing so much skin?’
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.
