The Grizzle Grind Crew just released its debut mixtape Leaders Of The New Skool on Thursday 19 June via Spotify. The album will be free for download on 30 June via the GGC website.
The Grizzle Grind Crew will be headlining the YFest, a youth festival tonight at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre. Check ‘em out!
A few random thoughts came to mind whilst I was at The Sam Willows EP launch at TAB last night, supported by Charlie Lim and ShiGGa Shay. One, was that I witnessing the future of our Singapore indie scene as these young talented artists – with all the potential they possess – are in the best position to bring the indie scene forward within and without our shores. Two, how different the indie scene looked in 2012, compared to 1992.
Photo by Zaki Razali
When ShiGGa Shay’s latest EP was released, I dropped a comment, saying that one day I would be interviewing him. Three weeks later, it happened. I found myself sitting down with him in a café, on a moonlit night, sipping green tea lattes, and just chillin’ as we talked about all kinds of things. The Singaporean rapper showed just how committed he is to his craft and revealed, among other things, who he’d like to work with, and his plans for the future. He surprised me with his depth and vision, and by the time I walked out of the café, I was convinced that ShiGGa Shay would be the next big thing that Singapore could offer to the world.
In many ways, the story of Pek Jin Shen—or ShiGGa Shay, as the rapper prefers to be known—is symptomatic of the odd complex Singaporeans have towards local music have in general. Ever since he first burst out on the scene in 2010 with a divisive performance on the short-lived Mediacorp production Live ‘N’ Loaded, he’s been dogged by accusations of arrogance and trying too hard to be American. Which is curious, because there’s really nothing more quintessentially Singaporean than wanting to be angmoh. But I digress.
ShiGGa Shay’s highly anticipated debut EP, They Call Me ShiGGa is finally done! This 9- track EP showcases ShiGGa Shay’s storytelling skills. The 19 year-old hip–hop artist navigates topics such as gaining acceptance as a musician in Singapore to the loss of his father to cancer.
Since early 2011, the rapper has been diligently working on this EP, working with several producers such as Kartell Records producer extraordinaire Muzique (from Flight School), Noctune & Outcome (from Malaysia), Don Richmond, The Architek and J Doug (from the United Kingdom). The young performer is quietly forming his own personal style and brand of hip-hop.
The album has been mixed by both Muzique and Don Richmond and mastered by Tony Dawsey at Masterdisk in New York City.
They Call Me ShiGGa is released digitally on Saturday 12 May 2012 through his official site: www.shiggashay.com and as a physical album with bonus additional material in early June. Pre-orders for the physical copies can be made on the official site on 12 May 2012.