MESSAGE FROM MASIA

I'm really excited to be releasing my 4th video off Bootleg Culture and especially proud to bring the production back to Toronto, Canada.  Huntclub founder and director of Makeup, Darlene Huynh always brings her beautiful touch on all that she creates, captures and currates.  The Makeup vid creative team worked seamlessly to bring this simple concept it's stylistic edge including Stylist Diego Armand of Perfecto Magazine, Sarma Malins of SM Beauty (hooks up my hair when I'm in town) & Meiko Kato on makeup. Thank you to the ever illustrious, mysterious and talented Graph Gonzales for being her fabulous self...Canadian artist who has penned songs for Esthero, Mssl Cmmnd and worked with the Neptunes & Kanye. Check out her song heartbreakers on Mssl Cmmnds mixtape why fight the space age released earlier this Spring.  Shouts to Lee & Billy for helping us make it through the day with some David's Tea and backup muscle.  Have I bragged about everyone yet?  Probably not as much as I should but just know wonderful collaborations happen everyday and I'm really glad this one did.  Sing along and feel the fashion #MakeUpVideo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2013

Internationally Acclaimed and Multi-Talented Artist Masia One Releases New Video

Masia One releases the video to her 2013 VIMA Award nominated single “Make Up”

New York, NY – Last month, internationally acclaimed artist Masia One released the 2013 VIMA award nominated single “Make Up” featuring Isis Salam and Black Molly in North America. Now Masia One presents the global video debut for the pop/dance track.

The playful video for “Make Up” shows Masia One and Graph Gonzales aka Black Molly having fun with different hairstyles, clothes and, of course, makeup. Produced by Che Vicious, Grammy Award winning producer and A&R for Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music, the song is an up-tempo, feel good, pop/dance track that showcases yet another side to Masia’s arsenal of talent and musical diversity.

“If this song doesn’t make you feel sexy then you're listening wrong”, said Isis Salam. On working with Masia One on the song and video, Graph Gonzales aka Black Molly commented, “Fun track. I love Masia's call to bring the ‘Nia Long Love Jones’ back in the zone.”

VIDEO CREDITS 

Produced by Hunt Club Studio

Director & Editor: by Darlene Huynh

Director of Photography: Jen Arron

Art Director: Diego Armand

Make Up: Meiko Kato

Hair: Sarma Malins

To watch and share the video “Make Up” by Masia One featuring Isis Salam and Black Molly: http://bit.ly/MasiaOneMakeUp

To listen and share the audio "Make Up" by Masia One featuring Isis Salam and Black Molly: http://bit.ly/SemKKN

To purchase & share "Make Up" on iTunes: http://bit.ly/TNQLgL

MAKEUP MUSIC VIDEO RELEASE is posted at masiaone.com Check it out and share--> http://bit.ly/12k04KGDarlene Huynh Graph Gonzales Diego Armand #MakeUpVideo

Use the hashtag #MasiaOneMakeUp when posting on social media

Currently Masia One is in Germany filming the video for one of the remixes of “Make Up”. From there, she will head to Sweden for club gigs and also perform and hold a lecture at a youth center in Stockholm.

CONNECT

www.masiaone.com

Twitter: @MasiaOne

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MasiaOne

Instagram: Instagram.com/MasiaOne 

YouTube: YouTube.com/MerdekaGroup

April 12. 2013 and back in New York city for an incredible opportunity to perform at MOCA MIX organized by the Museum of Chinese in America.  The show invited me to perform together with esteemed musicians Samir Chatterjee (Tabla master), Takeishi Stomu (Bass), Kyle Lalone (Guitar) and curated by brilliant Chinese Lute instrumentalist Min Xiao Fen. 

The show concept had me meeting these musicians for the first time the day before the event to familiarize with one another's general styles.  The night of the show, we perform a life jam session for a full house - freestyling, playing melodies on the spot and capturing the sponteneity of creation.

I was quite nervous about this show as you never know if the musicians will gel and find a frequency that everyone can groove to.  After watching Samir Chatterjee's performances I felt so humbled to be allowed to play with this tabla master that has abilities beyond my understanding and creativity with his instrument to a next level.  Once I met my MOCA Mix musicians in person my fears subsided as everyone greeted me with such warmth and so ready to share ideas musically and laugh openly.  This, my friends, is the joy of music and creative living.

The performance was so much fun due to to good vibes of the audience and the chemistry of the musicians, willing to experiment and play of one another's ideas.  The show really reminded me how much I LOVE jamming and performing with live musicians and has my future plans moving back into that space again.  

From the bottom of my heart thank you to the wonderful people I met at this show.  This show was very special to me, and it is with gratitude that I thank the Museum of Chinese in America for not only allowing me to perform such an important show, but taking a chance on new and interesting creative concepts for live performances - challenging both audience and artists.  

If you live in the New York area or visiting, do check out the museum.  It is a truly beautiful space full of history, education, art and good people.  

www.mocanyc.org/

Thank you to Sino Vision for coming out and conducting interviews before the show and getting footage throughout the entire performance.  It feels great to have the support of media that broadcasts in NYC as well as China.

Masia One merchandise post show including a reprint of original "Che-Masia" Tee

 Incredible creatives in the place to be including MeccaGodzilla reppin' his Bootleg Culture album here! Shouts out to Jay Lewis, P.H.A.S.E. 2 and the crew and Mark Seaquist for coming out and supporting the show.

This is how you know this was a show in the AUTHENTIC spirit of Chinese in America... an amazing meal after the show where everyone can share stories and build friendships that go beyond one performance. Thanks again everyone!  Had a blast.

It's a beautiful thing to see Singapore come out in numbers to induldge in some good ol' Hiphop & Soul Music at the 2013 Big Wig Festival.  I had the pleasure of hosting the festival introducing artists from US to the UK and everything in between.  The rain gave the day a slow start, but allowed me sometime to talk and connect with many of the visiting artists backstage.  I like when someone introduces your music and artistry with a personal touch.  I had a wonderful time rocking my own set, then getting the rainbow fro wearing crowd hyped up to see artists like Lady Leshurr, The Cuban Brothers, Akil the MC & Hydrophonics, Pharoahe Monch (and his amazing band) and of course Bizarre ride to the Pharcyde show ft. Fat Lip and Slim Kid Tre.  

L

Lady Leshurr and I trading swag.  We need more unity between women in Hiphop and the music business.  Listening to this lady's talent gives me hope that the future looks bright for the new fore runners that will show skill and creativity over T&A.  LYEAH!!!  

DJ Theory of San Francisco my personal favorite DJ of the festival for unapologetically running a true dancehall set.  I dare say that he is the first person to play Gully God tunes (Movado) in a public space in Singapore.  For a nation where dancehall is equivalent of only Sean Paul, Mr. Theory I tip my hat to you.

The Cuban Brothers...showed the crowd a whole lot of his cuban, brother.  What a fantastic show full of energy and bringing back the vibe of Hiphop that is driven by showmanship, humour and skill.

Could I have a goofier smile?  I can't help it standing next to one of Hiphop's musical icons Fat Lip.  I learned to breakdance to The Bizarre Ride to the Pharcyde so you can imagine my thrill to be able to introduce these legendary Hiphop artists to the stage.   

Sending a great big thank you Today Paper for this full page feature in the Culture & Lifestyle section on my music, work and recent achievements at 2013 VIMA South East Asian music awards.  I love that this article was right next to Jay-Z's picture who went from street life, to artist, to bigger than Hip hop.  I'm working on taht May-Z hustle.

Many thanks to writer BALVINDER SANDHU and editor Chris Toh.  

Read the full article here or posted below.

Hip-hop artist Masia One is setting the international scene on fire — thanks to a cassette she bought in Bedok

SINGAPORE — From scribbling rhymes in a notebook as a kid to recording in Bob Marley’s studio in Jamaica — hip-hop artist Masia One has sure come a long way.

She first fell in love with hip-hop after buying a Public Enemy cassette somewhere in Bedok when she was eight, and she hasn’t looked back since. The Singaporean moved to Canada the following year. Hip-hop gave her an avenue to express herself while she pursued her academic studies (she graduated from the University of Toronto with honours, majoring in architecture).

She first had the opportunity to show off her emcee-ing skills as a last-minute replacement at an all-female hip-hop showcase. With her first album, Mississauga (2003), Masia became the first female emcee to be nominated for a Much Music Video Award (Rap). More albums followed, including the noted double disc Pulau (2009) and Bootleg Culture (2012, which featured the hit Warriors Tongue). She has shared the stage with the likes of The Roots and Mos Def, and has worked with Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, Pharrell Williams and The Game.

More recently, she recorded a yet-to-be-released album at Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston, Jamaica. “As a little girl growing up in Singapore listening to my brother play Bob Marley’s songs, I would have never imagined that one day I would walk into his studio in Kingston, Jamaica, see his handwriting for songs he had written still on the piano and begin recording my own songs inspired by him. These are the most beautiful moments in life to me.”

And her Singapore fans will want to be at Fort Canning Park on Saturday, when she, along with Brit MC Lady Leshurr, co-hosts the Big Wig Music Festival, which features acts such as Pharoahe Monch, The Bizarre Ride/Pharcyde, Kevin Lester/DJ KoFlow, The Cuban Brothers and Wicked Aura Batucada, among others. To think the girl was scolded for “remixing” songs as a young student. “In Singapore, I would get in trouble with my English teacher for adding Chinese to English songs and (vice versa). I was always told, ‘That is not how the song is supposed to be sung’ and I would wonder what’s wrong with my version of the song.” It’s no wonder that Masia is active in promoting arts education, along with anti-bullying and female empowerment (she has conducted workshops for 50,000 students in Canada) — and has received the Chinese Canadian National Council Pioneer Award. It’s also no wonder that she describes her musical style as “music to make people feel brave toward their pursuits in life”. “It is my purpose as an artist that has been blessed with so many amazing opportunities in my career, to show a younger generation that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and your passion,” she said. “I was able to achieve my dreams in spite of not fitting into the status quo or looking like I play the part. It takes bravery and a lot of hard work.”

The Big Wig Festival is on April 6, 3pm, Fort Canning Park. Tickets at S$105 from Sistic. Read the full interview on Poparazzi (http://www.todayonline.com/blogs/poparazzi )

I love Kuala Lumpur City. It's extreme old school meets extreme new school.  It is South East Asia with echos of a Toronto meets NYC skyline.  It's Islamic prayers in the evening meet African dancehalls in the morning. It's great food, nuff said.  It is Bootleg Culture.

Attended the ever exciting Future Music Festival while in KL and had the opportunity to meet my Hiphop Heros De La Soul!  When I first moved to Canada, I used to sing "3...that's the Magic Number" on the school bus everyday when no one wanted to talk to the new girl.  I've been a fan ever since and really felt honored to meet these humble legends.  

Thank you Sean Lala for the hook up, you're my "Great Expecations" benefactor.

When the rain came down, it monsooned up in the piece.  Best hustle of the day - selling Rain coats (sheets?) $10 ringget a pop.  10 minutes later, rain stopped and rain coat hustlers were ghost.  Sending love to my festival homies DJ Lethal Skillz and the esteemed gentlemen from Hounds of the Baskerville (Barbershop and Tattoos in Singapore)

The universal passport... Aritst.  Jah blessing.

De la Soul and Naughty by Nature rocking out.  I love Hip Hop.

Hello KLCC Petronas Towers aka Babylon towers.  Not even Italian Futurism saw this one coming.  

True story: My first night in KL I leave my wallet, all credit cards, and sizable amount of cash in a taxi.  For anyone that knows Kuala Lumpur, in the thicket of crazy traffic you're not getting that stuff back.  Believe or not, I got the driver's card before leaving the taxi, called him and he drove 40 min. back to where he dropped me off to return the wallet.  I offered him money for his kindness and he would not take my money$.  

So please, if you ever find yourself in KL City - call the driver Zull Hamzah.  He's an honest man that holds it down.  Big up yourself Zull (and again...Jah blessing)

TAXI Executive: Zull Hamzah

012-248 4037 zullhamzah707@gmail.com

City tour & sight seeing / booking hourly daily weekly / airport / Genting highland

2 hours in advance for booking