The Wknd Sessions

#115 Arabyrd

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Arabyrd is a Malaysian alternative electronic / hip-hop / R&B artist. Who also happens to be an in-demand DJ. We’ve written about this Sarawak-born lass before, and she’s been known to change up and evolve her music style over the years.

So read on to find out more about Arabyrd, and what drives her forward in the pursuit of her craft.

Note: The first Arabyrd video comes out on 3rd May 2019. Second video will be released on Monday (6th May). And the final video on Wednesday (8th May). All at 3pm!

Arabyrd: as it is right now

We asked Arabyrd to tell us a bit about her work with Malaysian electronic act Tenderfist for her Wknd Sessions appearance.

“It’s always been my dream to perform with a band. And I really enjoy Tenderfist’s electronic sound.”

Arabyrd admits she’s used to playing with backing tracks and minus ones. So when the chance came up to work with Tenderfist, she jumped at the opportunity. Especially when, as it turns out, the chemistry between the two artistes really works well.

“I sat down with them, and within a half hour or so and they just understood what I wanted,” she said. “And to think that the Tenderfist sound can gel with the Arabyrd sound – that we can run full speed with it and be happy with the results!”

The evolution so far


Arabyrd has been a chameleon of sorts, having done many different genres and styles of music in the past. We ask her to comment about this.

“I’ve been blessed to have been exposed to different sounds and different ways to express myself on stage.”

There’s no doubt that the Malaysian hip-hop scene is booming. And Arabyrd’s past creative output has somehow pigeonholed her into that space. While it was easy to understand that was what the audience wanted, she took a long time before coming to terms with the fact that hip-hop and r&b is not where she wanted to be.

“Hip-hop is not my thing,” she said. “Arabyrd is my thing!”

And her current collaboration with Tenderfist provides the freedom for Arabyrd as an artist to decide on her own creative direction.

Of adapting to maturity


We asked Arabyrd to talk a little about her approach to music and performing.

“It’s like an out-of body experience.”

Performing is something that is something truly enjoyable for Arabyrd. And there’s been a profound change to her approach in her music and performance, since she first started out in 2001.

Being in the scene for so long, Arabyrd has seen her change from an angst-ridden, colorful artist to someone that is a little more sensitive towards people. And it’s partly about finding a certain way or language that everyone can understand. Which, she feels, is a natural progression of her journey as an artist.


Watch our exclusive interview with Arabyrd, and find out what it takes to go the distance in the music scene:

You can check out Arabyrd on Spotify, iTunes, Deezer and other digital channels – just search for The Wknd Sessions Ep. 115 on your favorite stores!