Cover Singaporean producer and rapper Alyph tells us about his debut album ‘The Storm’ and why it’s his most vulnerable work yet
Singaporean producer and rapper Alyph tells us about his debut album ‘The Storm’ and why it’s his most vulnerable work yet
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The Singaporean producer and rapper tells us about his debut album ‘The Storm’ and why it’s his most vulnerable work yet
Life’s only guarantee is its uncertainty, the way a storm breaks out unexpectedly from dark clouds or the way emotions erupt from under a seemingly calm surface. In the quietude of these moments, Singaporean rapper and producer Alyph contemplates the paradox of his artistic existence.
His debut album, The Storm, released in January 2025, represents more than a collection of tracks—it embodies the crystallisation of years spent translating internal turbulence into sonic landscapes that resonate across cultural boundaries.
The album’s genesis reveals an artist grappling with the ineffable nature of creative expression. “I always think that music is a soul-to-soul sort of thing,” Alyph reflects. “How do you explain a really great song translating to this one listener and not another? One person gets it and another might not. The reactions are so different.” This philosophy permeates every aspect of The Storm, from its atmospheric production to its unflinching exploration of vulnerability.
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The title itself emerged from a moment of clarity rather than calculated branding. “Uncertainty is why some people find it beautiful. Uncertainty is why some people have it tough,” explains the award-winning artist who bagged the Young Songwriter of the Year Award in 2022 at the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (Compass) Awards.
This duality—the simultaneous beauty and torment of life’s unpredictability—threads through each of the twelve tracks, creating a cohesive narrative that speaks to universal human experiences whilst maintaining distinctly personal authenticity.
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‘Ingat’, the album's breakout single currently approaching two million Spotify streams, exemplifies Alyph’s approach to songwriting. The track, which has maintained its position at number three on Apple Music, demonstrates his ability to transmute personal experience into accessible art without sacrificing emotional honesty. Its success validates his conviction that meaningful music transcends demographic boundaries.
Above Singaporean rapper and producer Alyph launched his debut album ‘The Storm’ in January 2025
Singaporean rapper and producer Alyph launched his debut album ‘The Storm’ in January 2025
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Collaborating with legendary Malaysian singer Ziana Zain on tracks 'Gerak' and 'Teman' represented a pivotal moment in Alyph's artistic development. The partnership bridges generational and cultural divides, reflecting his commitment to pushing regional music beyond conventional limitations.
Tatler speaks with Alyph about vulnerability, artistry and the storms within.
Above The rapper has collaborated with Malaysian singer Ziana Zain on tracks 'Gerak' and 'Teman'
The rapper has collaborated with Malaysian singer Ziana Zain on tracks 'Gerak' and 'Teman'
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Your single ‘Ingat’ is remarkably well-received. How do you balance creative authenticity with commercial viability?
A: For every of my songs, I love them all the same. I just take this as an indication that I’m doing something right. Sometimes I need convincing. I always need to convince myself that I know what I'm doing. Because every day, up to this day, I still doubt myself in music and in choices and in making decisions.
Sure, there are a lot of things I would rather leave in the dark—I don't have analytics in my head and I’m not able to translate music into calculations and metrics. I feel most comfortable when I'm in my realm of being in the studio, making music and knowing that it will resonate with somebody out there.
It is not binary though. There are artists who have a good sense of the business, artists who make music predominantly for the business. I feel like I represent a percentage of artists who were never able to translate their personal self unless it is through music. We don’t really communicate about who we are as people in public, so you hear it all in the music.
Tell me about the strong inspirations that shaped your album The Storm.
Animation film soundtracks like those by John Williams—even soundtracks of Home Alone and Jurassic Park. It’s so beautiful when you’re able to link music to a particular moment, and be transported into a certain feeling. That’s the root of this album. I wanted to see if I can replicate something like that and deliver that through my style of music.
I've always like applauded rappers and artists who churn out albums like crazy. With this being my debut album, as much as I feel proud of this project, I realise I should be investing more energy into continuing this process for the next steps. That said, I wouldn't have my debut album any other way.
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Above “I feel most comfortable when I'm in my realm of being in the studio,” says Alyph
“I feel most comfortable when I'm in my realm of being in the studio,” says Alyph
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Alyph on stage versus Alyph writing music in a studio—how different are the two?
Sometimes it’s like a portal. I have so many feelings right before I get on that stage—like ‘this is not going to go well or this isn’t going to work’. Then the next moment I'm stepping down off stage. It's like a zone-out. I'm extremely confident and most comfortable when I'm making music, because that’s when I lose all sense of the reality, the world.
Any pitfalls and habits and tendencies that you are careful to avoid in your career?
Talking too much. Especially if you’re full of ideas and things you want to do. A lot of us in this creative industry, no matter what field, have a drive and passion to extend our message. But we also have to remember to be great listeners.
What message do you have for your Malaysian audience and fans?
I love them and I write for them for life. Because the listeners allow me to still continue making music, I have no words for them. It's just my duty to make sure that I keep on providing and doing the best I can possibly do.
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
