Malaysian rap queen Zamaera joins forces with up and coming Kuala Lumpur based DJ / producer Daaliah on new track ‘Big Fish’ out this February through her very own company Mean Malaya Entertainment.
Zamaera displays her breath and brilliance on ‘Big Fish’, drawing on a myriad of influences from hiphop, pop, garage and soul, with nods to fellow luminaries like Little Simz, Jorja Smith, Tkay Maidza and GloRilla.
She says: “This song came to life when Daaliah and I met up in July 2023 after not seeing each other for a while. He had just returned from his summer tour around Europe so there was much to catch up on and at one point I told him that I felt like ‘A big fish in a small pond’ because I felt that I have reached my ceiling as an artist in Malaysia. It is difficult to portray my most authentic self due to the conservativeness of the environment. I am a very open-minded bold and brazen individual and I truly believe that I will be able to flourish once I step out of this comfortable perimeter that I’m in which I call home. I love that I believe that Big Fish is the introduction to my independent venture outside of my comfort bubble. Also we wrote the song in precisely 30 minutes because Daaliah had to leave for an event and we were in a time crunch. I guess the pressure of time really does help sometimes.”
Tell us more about your new single ‘Big Fish’ and the video?
It is the coming of age, entering into my new phase, swimming in the deep blue waters era. I’ve always felt like I’m meant for something and some place bigger than my tropical home in Malaysia. Every time I get a chance to travel and see the world, I realise how big the world really is and how opportunities and inspiration flows from every corner and I shouldn’t just limit myself to making the music that everyone “knows me for”. Thank god for that meet up with Daaliah after he came home from his summer tour in Europe, because we got a chance to talk about this exact feeling and the words “I feel like a big fish in a small pond” came uttering out of my mouth. Next thing you know it, 30 mins later, we had this song. Probably the fastest I’ve ever actually completed a whole song but the process still took a couple months of fine tuning it, recording the vocals professionally at MassMusic Studios and getting everything mixed and mastered to planning and shooting the video. Also super excited to have my very first UKG single out the ice breaker to my newer sound.
Any advice for aspiring female artists for International Women’s Day (8th March)?
Authenticity, kindness and resilience goes a long way. Don’t forget to sprinkle a whole lot of persistence on top and if you still wake up everyday, doing what you love to do, you’re already way more successful and closer to your goals than you think. Happy International Women’s Day !
