Every Wednesday we ask a creative, artisan, or musician to share what music gets them going from dawn to dusk. This week, Axel Brizzy—Singapore-born up-and-coming rap artist proves his ambition and passion by creating sticky beats, expressing his resolve of matching rhythm with rhymes.
The ratio of prominent Singapore vocal-based musicians to hip-hop artists is not rightfully balanced. Aside from the sleek and smooth MEAN and tongue-twisting MC RAJA, many polished veterans thrive underground and hone their craft through mixtapes and erratic-single drops to defy mainstream expectationsns. Axel Teoh, a young and ardent hip-hop stan, stood by his guns and dive head-on into the local music fray as Axel Brizzy.
Kicking off his career at SHINE x *SCAPE Talent Development Programme under the mentorship of Jon Chua (from homegrown band The Sam Willows) in 2017, Brizzy developed his aspirations into zeal and adeptness which can be felt in his musical endeavours. After intensive training and intimate mentorship, he showcased the fruits of his labour at Shine Festival that very same year to positive responses.
Axel Brizzy has gone on to open for The Sam Willows, and worked with R&B newcomer Sheeq Luna and fellow rapper THELIONCITYBOY. His debut EP, The Prologue, topped the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap Chart in Singapore within two hours of its release back in May. Influenced by the likes of Childish Gambino and Kendrick Lamar, Brizzy displays versatility in his single 'Trigger Happy' where he blends in heavy electronic and EDM elements. Slower-paced numbers like 'Live' unveils the rapper's sensitive and mature side, dropping the flamboyant and braggadocio style that he's known for.
Need another reason to put this fervent lad on your radar? He was one of four acts that represented Singapore in the 'Dreams Come True with AirAsia' campaign with Spotify and AirAsia and snagged the second place at Vans Musicians Wanted 2018.
Morning
1. ‘iffy’—Sik-K (feat. PH1)
2. ‘Rough Soul’—Goldlink (feat. April George)
3. ‘With U’—Jay Prince (feat. Mahalia)
"In the morning I tend to reach out to songs that are not too heavy or mellow, kicking off a long day with these tracks oozing with feel-good vibes are the perfect way to go for me."
Day
1. 'Barking’—Ramz
2. ‘Dark Knight’—Jack Harlow
3. 'I Ain't Done'—Andy Mineo
"As the day goes, the activity and energy level gradually increases, hence the change of mood with songs. Depending on my day-to-day schedule and mood, they variate a little but these few are definitely my recent go-to tracks"
Night
1. ‘Egyptian Luvr’—Reijie Snow (feat. Aminé and Dana Williams)
2. 'Jasmine’—DPR Live
3. 'Game Ova’—Tobi Lou
"When the night comes, I prefer to sit back and chill for a bit rather than head out for parties and the like. It’s also ideal to approach more emotional and reflective thoughts, heart-to-heart talks and work. I work better at night, always been the case, and I prefer to play tracks that can be kept in the background, at a nice volume as I get grinding into the night."
Enjoyed the tracks? Check out our other ‘Dawn to Dusk’ playlists curated by guest artists each week and follow our Spotify profile to access our playlist first when it's out.
