Singaporean Rapper Yung Raja on Working With Tudor

The entertainer, who raps in Tamil and English, was in town to celebrate the opening of Tudor's boutique in 1 Utama Shopping Centre

Hip-hop artiste and Gen.T honouree Yung Raja stands out for rapping in Tanglish, a mix of Tamil and English. Coupled with an exuberant stage performance, it's little wonder that the 26-year-old, who's signed to Def Jam Southeast Asia, has become a massive hit in Malaysia and Singapore, where he is from, boasting five million streams and counting on Spotify.

Last month, Raja performed a 20-minute set at the opening of Tudor's boutique in 1 Utama Shopping Centre, an occasion that also attracted a large group of his fans eager to see him perform live again after a long absence due to the lockdown.

Above Yung Raja performing at the Tudor boutique opening

A few hours before the opening event, Tatler had a quick chat with the charismatic entertainer about his collab with Tudor.

Why did you agree to perform at the Tudor boutique opening?

I'm a fan of Tudor. I started my career in Malaysia; for a while, it was like home base for me. We had a lot of gigs in Malaysia. So when we found out that Tudor was opening a new boutique in Malaysia, we thought it was the perfect alignment for me to come back here and perform. I haven't been back here for three years. Also, I had never done a solo showcase here, so this would be my first time.

What did you know about Tudor before this?

Tudor opened up my eyes about the world of watches. I’ve learnt that watches are something that you must take time to assess—what fits you and what is your vibe. It’s like self-expression. Picking the right watch or the watch that suits you is quite a cool process, and I’ve been exposed to that in the last two years (with Tudor).

What do you love about Tudor?

Tudor has such a rich history. It's not easy to be a rapper in Southeast Asia, what more a Tanglish rapper. You've got to have guts, you've got to dream big, and you've got to dare. These are the things that Tudor as a brand represents, and I resonate with that very deeply.

Why have you chosen to wear the Black Bay Chrono for tonight's performance?

It's one of my favourite pieces.

How did you end up rapping in Tanglish?

It’s just a manifestation of who I am and the reality that I’ve been placed in growing up in Singapore. I was a bilingual child speaking Tamil and English, and having Eastern and Western influences. It doesn’t feel right when I try writing fully in English or fully in Tamil— neither was me. So when I tried rapping in a mix of both languages, it was like, "that hit the right note". It was a natural synchronisation with who I am.

NOW READ

Swiss Watch: More Than 20 Years Celebrating Luxury Watches

Chanel's New Capsule Watch Collection, the Wanted

The 5 Best New Watches Under RM10,000 in 2022

Topics

Tudor Yung Raja

Tatler Asia

Singaporean Rapper Yung Raja on Working With Tudor