Cover Luna Is A Bep, one of Hong Kong's most talented indie female rappers (Photo: @ocphotographyyy Styling: @chanching.e Hair and makeup: @percymuh)

Hong Kong indie rapper, Luna Is A Bep talks to Tatler Hong Kong about her upcoming performance with Clockenflap Music and looks back at her journey in the industry so far

Bright, bubbly, funky, talented, ball of sunshine and cool—these are just some of the words that describe Luna Is A Bep. Since bursting into the local scene in 2018, the Hong Kong rapper is cementing herself as one of the city's most compelling female indie rappers.

Her debut song 麻甩系 (an adjective to describe men who are rude, rough, raunchy and untidy) became a smash hit when it was released on online in 2018 because of the irony in the song, where she talks about how young women tap into their masculine characteristics to attract people. The song garnered much noise and talk online and Luna gained more of a following due to her authenticity and boldness to challenge the status quo with her music.

The pandemic has hit musicians hard, shutting down live music venues and performances. With the city slowly opening up, Clockenflap Music’s Long Time No See celebrates the return of live music, giving fans the long-awaited opportunity to jive, dive and enjoy the magic of music with Luna as one of the performers. Tatler Hong Kong catches up with the rapper about the upcoming show and her journey in the music industry so far.

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Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Andrew Fat
Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Andrew Fat

Are you excited for your upcoming show with Clockenflap Music’s Long Time No See?

It's definitely a long-awaited music show with all local talents sharing their own kind of music.

With the pandemic, you weren’t able to perform for a while. How do you feel about being able to perform again?

This year, 2020 was way too boring and I've been waiting for the shows since then—been practising and thinking what and how to improve when the [music] scene is ready and [able] to have us again. Surely, my bandmates and I are so excited and we can’t wait to show what we’ve prepared for the crowd soon.

Is this your first time working with Clockenflap Music? What’s it like?

Yes, I appreciate every opportunity and I’m grateful to have Clockenflap Music for putting me and other friends in the scene and on the list. Back in 2018, we were [just] the audience of the show and [now], we’re going to perform in Clockenflap’s show soon. [It's] quite amazing.

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Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Andrew Fat

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. How did you first get into music? Who were some of the people that influenced you growing up?

I’ve been listening to music since I was young, mostly Cantopop influenced by the mass media. The Dance Society in college brought me to another world of funk and hip-hop. I’m amazed by the joy, the attitude and the groove from the music—from Daft Punk to Bobbi Brown, I just enjoyed all of them a lot. With my boyfriend’s encouragement, I started to work on my own music in 2018 until now and it truly means a lot to me.

Your name, “Luna Is A Bep” is so interesting.

It’s [actually] just a typo. [What] I wanted was Beep, as in Luna Is A Beep. But it’s okay since I continued using Bep anyway.

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I don’t think much about the industry, I just keep doing what’s fun for me

- Luna Is A Bep -

You started writing rap lyrics and releasing them online in May 2018. It’s 2021 now, how different is your approach to music now than when you first started?

Back then when I was just anonymous, it was way more carefree to write whatever I want. Now, I sometimes overthink trivial matters like how people will think of me and my songs. I should be less self-conscious but that seems to be an artist’s problem. Of course, there are still some goods like meeting a lot of talented musicians, having them share good music with me and their thoughts about producing so now, I have a clearer picture of what to do next. 

Since “麻甩系” became a hit, how has your life changed since then?

I started bringing my songs on stage and interacting with some real human beings during live shows. I get to meet a lot of warm-hearted and fantastic people who always support me during my journey.

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As an indie rapper and a woman, is it hard to be in the industry?

It depends on what you want from doing music. I don’t think much about the industry, I just keep doing what’s fun for me.

You said it’s hard to describe your style because they’re different each time—funky, trap with hints of lo-fi hip-hop. Then, can you tell us what your creative process is like?

The best way for me to create music is to first imitate what I love. I’m a very verbal orientated person so when I listen to a beat or a song and think “yes this is it, I want this vibe at this moment,” so I just start playing around with lyrics and sometimes, piecing them together with melodies. My writing process is a bit clueless as I’m still exploring. 

You’re known for your quirky, fun and bright persona on stage. Would you say you’re the same in real life?

I may say that’s a part of me I would love to present to all on stage. As time goes by I feel like I’m more of an introvert than I ever thought. Most of the time I’d rather lock myself up in my bedroom, reading or writing songs on my own than mingling with new friends and partying. But I still love dancing at parties!

See also: Meet Gareth.T, Hong Kong's Up-And-Coming Indie Pop Artist

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: @ocphotographyyy; Styling: @chanching.e; Hair and makeup: @percymuh
Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Clockenflap

Where do you mostly find or draw inspiration for your songs? Can you tell us some examples?

There is a lot of things happening every day and all of them can be an inspiration for my songs, whether it’s the sleepy faces of train riders in the morning, the chill summer breeze, my huge craving for vacation during Covid-19. [It's] anything you can observe and imagine.

What’s your view on the Hong Kong music scene now? Has it changed much since?

Thanks to the internet and streaming platforms, we now have more to listen to. People like myself have more chances to share our work. [There are] more interesting minds and different kinds of music to be discovered. I [just] love the diversity out here.

Besides the upcoming performance in Long Time No See, what’s keeping you busy these days?

I’m working hard on my upcoming singles and hopefully, I can launch my EP or album soon. I just quit my job so I can have more time to do it. I've been making up my mind about what and how to do it in the future.

See also: Industry Insiders Reveal How Covid-19 Has Affected Asia's Music Scene


Luna Is A Bep will be performing at the Long Time No See concert on September 18 at MacPherson Stadium. For more details, visit ticketflap.com/longtimenoseelive.

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