[EXCLUSIVE] Firdhaus Teases an Album, Releases an Exclusive Apple Music Video, & Talks About His Draw to Mandopop

He first took social media by storm with his hit song ‘Gulf of Alaska’ which garnered more than 19M streams worldwide and over 820M views on Douyin. He has since sold out a two-night concert at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore and Resorts World Genting.

This August, he is spotlighted on Apple Music as part of the ‘Here’s to the Dreamers’ campaign, which features SE Asian creative talent who have navigated challenges and turned their dreams into reality. And he’s just getting started.

Interestingly, Firdhaus, or 菲道尔 as he’s better known to the Mandarin-speaking audience, was born into a traditional Malay family where both his parents only speak Malay and English. His parents enrolled him in a Chinese school to receive Chinese education, from kindergarten up to secondary school. Together with Apple Music, Rojak Daily spoke to the 26-year-old superstar for an exclusive interview.

Small steps

Speaking about how his journey into music began, Firdhaus said, “I've always had a natural inclination to express my emotions through writing, and discovering that I could turn those words into songs was a turning point for me. My interest in Mandopop was ignited when I first heard Jay Chou, whose music inspired me to write my songs. This passion led me to join my high school’s guitar club, where I learned to play the guitar—an essential skill for my songwriting.”

In high school, the Johor-born lad took a big step by recording an album and producing 300 CDs, which he sold around the school during recess. Firdhaus is trilingual and occasionally even sings in Korean, but he said that he had reasons for focusing on making songs in the Mandopop genre. “I’ve found that I can effectively convey my emotions in Mandarin, as it feels the most comfortable and natural for me.

“While I have songs in English and Malay, writing in Mandarin allows me to express myself more authentically. It’s the language I feel most at ease, making it the ideal choice for my Mandopop songs.”

Firdhaus shares that he definitely plans to release songs in different languages in the future. “However, Mandarin remains my comfort zone, so my songs will still primarily be in Mandarin.”

Navigating challenges

He shared that his most pivotal moment as an artist was when his song ‘Gulf of Alaska’ went viral on Douyin in China. “Initially, it started with a few people covering "Gulf of Alaska" on Douyin, and then, unexpectedly, the song went viral. I’m incredibly grateful for that moment…it significantly shaped who I am today as an artist.”

Although Firdhaus now enjoys mainstream success, breaking into the Mandopop scene came with challenges. He said, “One of the main obstacles is the high level of competition, as many talented artists are vying for attention. Additionally, navigating the industry’s expectations and building a unique identity can be challenging.”

He elaborated, “To overcome these challenges, I focused on staying true to my artistic vision while also learning from others in the industry. I invested time improving my craft and building a strong connection with my audience. Embracing feedback and continuously evolving as an artist helped me carve out my space within the Mandopop genre. Building a supportive network and collaborating with other artists also played a significant role in overcoming these obstacles.”

Lyrical inspiration

Firdhaus cited Jay Chou and Khalil Fong as his key musical influences in the Mandopop genre. Outside of Mandopop, he’s inspired by artists like Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, and Chris Brown.

He also explained his creative process, which varies on the project. “Sometimes, I start with a vision for how I want to market the song and craft it with that in mind, as marketing plays a crucial role in reaching a wider audience. Other times, I draw inspiration directly from my life experiences or those around me. Whether it’s a specific concept or spontaneous inspiration, I always aim to create something that resonates deeply with listeners,” he said.

Firdhaus shared, "I’m truly grateful to be featured in Apple Music’s ‘Here’s to the Dreamers’ campaign. It’s an honour to be part of such a meaningful initiative. I hope to inspire others by showing that even a boy from a small town in Malaysia can achieve success in the music scene. If I can make it, others with dreams and determination can too.”

But when he’s not playing to screaming fans in his free time, he’s like any other 26-year-old. “I enjoy playing PS5. It’s a great way to relax and break from the busy world. It helps me unwind and provides a fun escape from my daily routine.”

His goal for the next few years is to become an icon in the Mandopop scene. “I’m focused on making a significant impact and contributing to the genre in a meaningful way,” he related. He also excitingly shared that he has an album coming out at the end of the year. “As for collaborations, I’d like to keep those under wraps for now and make them a surprise. Stay tuned for some exciting announcements!”

The young man with blond locks also advised aspiring singers who hoped to break into the Mandopop industry. “My advice is to stay true to your branding and be consistent with it. Additionally, make sure your music is honest and genuine; connecting with your audience emotionally and touching their hearts is important.” He’s certainly touched our hearts, and he’s ‘My Type’, for sure! We can’t wait to see what hits Firdhaus comes up with next!

Chill out with Firdhaus' performance of an acoustic medley of his popular songs - ‘友谊长存,’ ‘阿拉斯加海湾’ and ‘在加纳共和国离婚’ in a cosy living room on Apple Music. Other young talent selected for the campaign include Thai rapper SPRITE, rising star in Filipino hip-hop Hev Abi, whose lyrics capture the challenges and complexities of Filipino youth; Indonesian sensation NIKI, Singaporean rapper Yung Raja, and singer-songwriter-producer Rangga Jones from Indonesia. As part of the campaign, each artist will also release a live performance video of each of their songs, exclusively on Apple Music.