Malaysian singer Bunga Isme has responded to sceptics' opinions about her opening for Coldplay's upcoming concert in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Yap Chee Hong/The Star
She may lay down powerful bars on stage but behind the cameras, Malaysian rapper Bunga Isme is an introvert at heart.
Describing herself as one who doesn’t fancy mingling with crowds, Bunga said that she was more nervous than anything after getting picked as the opening act for Coldplay’s highly anticipated Music Of The Spheres World Tour in Kuala Lumpur.
“When my label told me I was going to be the opening act for Coldplay, I was not prepared for it at all. I thought I was being pranked.
“While I am happy about it, I feel more nervous as the upcoming show will give me my biggest crowd yet,” the 23-year-old said in an interview with StarLifestyle.
Coldplay’s sold-out gig on Nov 22 will see Bunga performing two songs – Buai and Intan Payung – at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil, which can accommodate over 87,000 spectators.
With the upcoming stage being her biggest one yet, the young star said she hopes it will help her music reach a larger audience.
Having received the opportunity to be the opening act for a Grammy-winning group, Bunga – whose real name is Noor Ayu Fatini Mohd Bakhari – acknowledged that many had high expectations for her.
However, there have also been sceptics who questioned why the rapper was chosen when she has only four years of experience in the music industry.
“I understand that some people may not know who I am as I still have a long way to go in the industry. But I plan to do my best so more people will know about me.
Bunga is known for delivering powerful rap performances while dressed in traditional attire. Photo: Bunga Isme/Instagram“I can’t say that I have prepared to the fullest, but I have taken on multiple gigs that require me to perform with a live band and interact with a crowd.
“Although it’s nerve-racking, I understand that I have to go out of my comfort zone if I want to grow as a performer.
“My biggest goal now is to learn how to build chemistry with the audience as I am still unfamiliar with how to interact with a big crowd,” she said.
An unexpected turn
Unlike most musicians, Bunga is one of those talents who never considered a career in music. In fact, her initial dream was to become a lawyer or politician.
“I used to be very much into politics which is why I studied public administration in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM). It’s interesting to learn about the government, its policies and how to serve the people. Music was just a hobby back then,” said the rapper behind the song, Bukalah Matamu.
That all changed in November 2018 after a video of her performing in a baju kurung in a rap competition in Perak went viral on the Internet.
Apparently, Bunga said that she arrived at the venue wearing regular clothes but bought a baju kurung at the last minute to really stand out from other contestants.
“I never expected that my decision would make me go viral. When my performance went viral, I thought I should give music a chance. So I reached out to others in the industry to learn more about music, and that gave me confidence to start a career in this field,” she told StarLifestyle.
In addition to setting her sights on music, the viral performance also gave Bunga an idea of how she wanted to portray herself in public.
Realising that many enjoyed seeing her rap in a baju kurung, she decided to wear one for her performance in 16 Baris – a YouTube show featuring upcoming talents from South-East Asia.
The video in March 2019 further elevated Bunga’s popularity to new heights, with international media outlets – including the New York Times – dubbing her as the first hijabi rapper in Malaysia.
Amassing over 3.7 million views at press time, the episode featuring Bunga is currently the most viewed on the show’s YouTube channel.
No time for negativity
Although Bunga’s image received widespread applause, there have been criticisms too.
During StarLifestyle’s interview, she said that some have reprimanded her for tarnishing the image of women while others said that it was not appropriate to “jump around in traditional attire”.
Describing herself as one who’s easily affected by mean comments, the rapper revealed that she had a breakdown after encountering negative feedback during the early years of her career.
“It ruined my day and I cried a lot because I had just entered the industry and I wasn’t sure how to handle or react to these comments.
“But after a while, I realised that I can’t keep letting the negativity affect me because I plan to stay in the music industry for a long time,” she shared.
To avoid letting negativity get to her, Bunga said that she would not entertain comments unless they were constructive.
“I know I am easily affected by hate, so I won’t read comments, to avoid it. It was really hard to do this at first because you always want to know what others have to say. But having my family and friends by my side has definitely made things easier,” she added.
Although Bunga is paying no heed to Internet trolls, it doesn’t mean that she will let them run their mouth and target her loved ones.
Bunga refuses to sit back in silence when her loved ones are attacked. Photo: Yap Chee Hong/The Star
In 2021, the Apadehal rapper was subjected to unfavourable comments from netizens after several media outlets likened her appearance to that of Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie.
While Bunga didn’t pay attention to the negativity at first, she was unable to hold herself back after a few netizens demeaned her mother for defending her on social media.
“When it comes to my mother, I can’t control my emotions. I don’t care what anyone has to say about me. I (will) protect my mum,” she said in an Instagram Story.
Budding sensation
Bunga’s rise in Malaysia’s hip-hop scene is particularly noteworthy as the industry is reported to be male-dominated.
Since making her debut with the 2019 song, Bunga, she has gone on to release bangers like Kena Check, 300 Saat and Mereng.
Bunga has collaborated with many local and international acts. Photo: Yap Chee Hong/The StarIn 2019, Bunga was chosen as one of the supporting acts for British pop singer Anne-Marie’s concert in Kuala Lumpur.
She was nominated for the Popular New Female Artiste award at the 33rd Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian in 2020 and was also a finalist at Anugerah Juara Lagu 36 (AJL36) in 2021.
Her accolades also include collaborations with industry juggernauts such as Noraniza Idris, Ali Gatie and Pink Sweats.
When asked about who she would like to collaborate with next, Bunga immediately named Malaysian songbird Yuna.
“This collaboration would mean so much because I grew up (listening to her songs). I find it inspiring how she is able to build a career beyond Malaysia.
“She didn’t study music but law, and that made me hopeful about going far as I did not study music either,” she said.
Empowering others through music
Through her songs, Bunga raps about a variety of topics. For example, her duet with local powerhouse Siti Nordiana titled Amaran revolves around women empowerment.
“I was really excited when I got the opportunity to work on this track because I love amplifying positive and empowering messages for girls and women. One of my goals as an artiste is to always write songs that motivate and inspire others,” she said.
Aside from women empowerment anthems, Bunga enjoys rapping about her life, personal growth and overcoming adversity too.
Although she once told Lifestyle Asia magazine that she isn’t the biggest fan of love songs, Bunga made it clear during StarLifestyle’s interview that she isn’t closing any doors as she wants to diversify her discography.
In fact, her latest collaboration with Bruneian artiste Asmai, Sebentar Pt II, is a sombre track that tells the story of a man whose feelings for a friend are not reciprocated.
Bunga is also presently occupied with working on two albums.
“I have two albums that are still in the works. One of them is almost finished and I’m hoping to release it by next year. I also have a few singles which I’m planning to release after the Coldplay concert,” she shared.
Dare to dream
Bunga is perhaps living proof that if you really put your mind to something, anything is possible.
In 2021, the young singer – who was only 21 years old then – ticked an item off her bucket list after using her hard-earned cash to buy her very first property in Hulu Langat, Selangor.
The condominium unit, with an area of 1,100sq ft, reportedly cost RM300,000.
Earlier in January, Bunga appeared on the New York Times Square digital billboard as part of Spotify’s Equal campaign – which celebrates female artistes from all around the world as part of its initiative to promote gender equity in music.
She also graduated with a degree in public administration in July.
On the next big thing she hopes to achieve, Bunga said it is her ultimate goal to be a globally recognised artiste – a dream that she has been told one too many times to be impossible.
“I want to make a name for myself worldwide. When people listen to my song, I want them to go, ‘Oh, this is Bunga’s song!’
“There have been people who told me I was free to dream. Yes, having dreams is free but if you’re on the right track and continue believing in yourself, nothing is impossible. It’s only a matter of time, patience and hard work,” she said.
