Cover Story: Malaysian Singer Firdhaus Shows His Strength of Character

Malaysian singer-songwriter Firdhaus shot to fame back in 2020 when his Mandarin ballad “Gulf Of Alaska” went viral on Douyin. He’s the first Malay musician to achieve such a feat. Now, fresh off his Asia Tour, we say hello again to the young hitmaker and chat about performing live, making music and being a public persona.

Congratulations on wrapping up your “Hello Again” Asia Tour!

Thank you! The past few months have been a rollercoaster, and I’m grateful for every high and low. It still feels surreal to be on an Asia tour in the fourth year of my career, and I don’t take any of it for granted. I cherished every moment, from behind the scenes to being on stage, bonding with my crew and connecting with everyone who came for the shows. I don’t know when I’ll get to do this again, but I hope I can! Performing live brings a different kind of energy.

What’s your favourite part of a live show?

I’ll never get used to hearing the crowd sing back to me. It just hits different. Seeing their faces, feeling their energy, even catching a few tears. As an artiste, there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing my music resonates.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I’ve always known I wanted to make music since I was young. When I was still in high school, at around 16 or 17 years old, I met a couple of musicians in Johor and convinced them to help me record an eight-track album. I made 300 copies and sold them during recess. Looking back, that was probably my first real step into music. [Laughs] I was so proud of it!

Was there someone who pushed you along your music journey?

Not really. It was pretty lonely at the beginning. My parents weren’t all that supportive, but they didn’t hold me back either. I had to keep the album I mentioned earlier a secret because I didn’t want them to think I was neglecting my studies. I did have a high school teacher who believed in me, however. He’s no longer around, but he always saw more in me than my grades and was very proud of my passion. I’ll never forget him telling my parents how proud he was of what I was doing, even before I became anything.

Tell us about your creative process.

Every song has its own creative journey. Sometimes I come up with the title first, and other times it’s a word, line or melody that pops into my head. I flow with whatever feels right, and try not to be hard on myself if I’m not feeling inspired.

Your music is a hit across multiple countries. Why do you think so?

My songs reflect what I’ve been through. I translate feelings into straightforward, relatable lyrics. I believe that’s why they resonate with people.

How do you push through creative blocks and get back on the flow?

Rest. I try to inspire myself by taking breaks from creating music, like listening to albums, watching movies, travelling or engaging in photography. I don’t believe in pushing yourself, especially when you’re already feeling numb.

What has been the most rewarding moment of your career so far?

Seeing my family’s pride in me. Also, whenever my team and I achieve something together.

Any tips or rituals to stay grounded and keep your clarity?

Praying, meditating, and spending time with family helps a lot. Oh, and don’t forget to turn off your devices.

How do you introduce yourself to someone who might not know about your public persona?

[Laughs] I was communicating with this bank representative who was very confused about my occupation and fluctuating income. I had to tell him to google my name or search me up on YouTube.

Looking ahead, what message do you wish to share with your work?

Don’t give up. Whatever happens is a gift, even if it’s hard to see it that way. The journey is long, so be kind to yourself.