Music Lab

The Straits Times

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MUSIC INTERVIEWS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. Podcaster: Eddino Abdul Hadi Produced and recorded by: ST Podcasts & Studio+65 Executive producer: Ernest Luis A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

OCT 28

How a viral song made Singaporean singer Regina Song famous

Hear from home-grown singer Regina Song, one of the most streamed Singapore artistes in the past year. Synopsis: Synopsis (headphones recommended): The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In this special episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts Regina Song, one of the most streamed Singapore artistes in the past year. The 21-year-old first encountered fame when her 2024 song, The Cutest Pair, went viral on TikTok. A song from her debut album Fangirl, it has since garnered 54 million streams on Spotify alone. But as she discusses in the podcast interview, the singer wants to be more than just a one-hit wonder. She has been working on new songs and performed two of her newest tunes, Before I Leave and Midsummer Mansion, live on the podcast. In the interview, Song talks about her relationship with social media and how it plays a huge role in how she operates as an artiste. She also discusses the challenges of being a full-time music musician in Singapore, including the lack of a structured system for rising artistes. This episode was recorded and filmed in front of a live audience of some 90 ST readers on October 7 at Esplanade Annexe Studio, as part of the ST Podcast Live! Sessions celebrating 180 years of The Straits Times in 2025. Highlights (click/tap above): 10:23 How an old laptop and piano lessons set her on the path to music 17:30 On how The Cutest Pair made her one of the most streamed Singaporean artistes 23:13 The pros and cons of social media for a singer 28:46 Revealing personal details in confessional lyrics 33:03 The lack of a structured system for rising artistes in Singapore 38:04 A desire to headline bigger festivals and help other musicians pursue their dreams Watch the full performance and podcast on YouTube: https://str.sg/JdzuV Listen to Regina Song’s live performance of Before I Leave & Midsummer Mansion here: https://str.sg/MbDc Discover home-grown artiste Regina Song at: YouTube: https://str.sg/ieaZ Spotify: https://str.sg/o2WPs Instagram: https://str.sg/9PLo Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/7m92 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #musiclab See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

32 min
OCT 28

Regina Song - Before i leave & Midsummer mansion (Live)

Hear from home-grown singer Regina Song, one of the most streamed Singapore artistes in the past year. Synopsis (headphones recommended): This Music Lab playlist features the full live performance of music acts invited by The Straits Times to its podcast studio. Listen to Regina Song talk about her musical journey in the full audio-only podcast here: https://str.sg/fsHh Discover home-grown artiste Regina Song at: YouTube: https://str.sg/ieaZ Spotify: https://str.sg/o2WPs Instagram: https://str.sg/htdW Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/7m92 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #musiclab See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 min
OCT 21

Abangsapau - wow. & selamat, sayang (Live)

Hear home-grown rapper Abangsapau's intimate live take of wow. and selamat, sayang, two songs from his latest debut album, Abangsapau. Synopsis (headphones recommended): This Music Lab playlist features the full live performance of music acts invited by The Straits Times to its podcast studio. Watch the full performance and podcast on YouTube: https://str.sg/uiSd Listen to Abangsapau talk about his musical journey in the full audio-only podcast here: https://str.sg/sNxa Discover home-grown artiste Abangsapau at: YouTube: https://str.sg/oGhpp Spotify: https://str.sg/KwtC Instagram: https://str.sg/DSEN Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team Edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/7m92 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #musiclab See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 min
OCT 21

How rapper Abangsapau’s difficult childhood shaped the songs on debut album

Hear from home-grown rapper Abangsapau, one of the Singapore hip-hop scene’s most promising young rappers. Synopsis (headphones recommended): The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In this special episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts one of the Singapore hip-hop scene’s most promising young rappers, Abangsapau. Known for his trademark sarong, he made his debut in 2019, and in the following year, performed at the 2020 National Day Parade (NDP). He is currently signed to Def Jam Recordings South East Asia, the regional wing of the iconic American hip-hop music label. The 26-year-old has just put out his self-titled debut album, a 14-track release filled with brutally honest recollections of the experiences that shaped him into the person that he is today. The rapper, who also performed at the 2025 NDP, did not have an easy childhood and had to deal with issues such as a broken family, substance abuse and bullying. But as he discusses in the podcast, it is important for him to be as authentic as he can with his music, as it helps him connect with, and empower his audience. This episode was recorded and filmed in front of a live audience of some 90 ST readers on October 7 at Esplanade Annexe Studio, as part of the ST Podcast Live! Sessions celebrating 180 years of The Straits Times in 2025. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:46 How he got the name Abangsapau, and what it means 5:36 How talking back to his teachers led to him winning public speaking competitions 7:33 On his difficult childhood, experiences with substance abuse, family issues and witnessing his mother's struggle with depression 15:53 Sharing his experiences through his music led to a fan overcoming suicidal ideations 18:26 He wrote over 300 love songs when he was still juggling his former day job at a hospital 24:00 Performing with his mother at the 2020 NDP 27:18 His hope for a future where Singaporeans are proud of their local artists and support the local music scene Watch the full performance and podcast on YouTube: https://str.sg/uiSd Listen to Abangsapau’s live performance of wow. and selamat, sayang here: https://str.sg/fwvW Discover home-grown artiste Abangsapau at: YouTube: https://str.sg/oGhpp Spotify: https://str.sg/KwtC Instagram: https://str.sg/DSEN Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team Edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/7m92 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #musiclab See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

33 min
JUN 24

Musician Evan Low talks NDP songs, touring with Mandopop star A-mei

Hear from the home-grown composer and producer behind recent National Day Parade songs. Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In this special episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts award-winning Singaporean composer, producer, and music director Evan Low. A recipient of the National Arts Council’s Young Artist Award in 2024, Low has worked on over 200 songs. He is best known for being a co-composer and musician on recent National Day Parade songs The Road Ahead (2021) sung by artistes such as Linying, Not Alone (2024) by Benjamin Kheng and the 2018 remake of We Are Singapore. The artiste also known as Evanturetime has also toured with international pop star and Taiwanese singer A-mei and has performed to massive crowds in venues such as the Beijing National Stadium in China. Low, who first took piano lessons at the age of five, graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a Diploma in Music and Audio Technology. He then honed his skills at famed American music school Berklee College of Music, thanks to scholarships from the school as well as the Media Development Authority. This episode was recorded and filmed in front of a live audience of nearly 80 attendees on June 3 - at swish nightspot Rasa at Republic Plaza, as part of the ST Podcast Live! Sessions celebrating 180 years of The Straits Times in 2025. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:43 Realising the impact of music: How Evan cried during piano practice when he was a kid 3:54 How he ended up choosing to further his studies in music instead of science 6:36 On developing his own set of ‘special skills’ while studying music in the US 10:56 The pressure of coming up with NDP songs 18:20 How he got singer Benjamin Kheng to venture outside his comfort zone on NDP song Not Alone 26:46 How he balances his finances as a full-time musician 29:25 On helping others achieve their dreams of pursuing music as a career Watch the full podcast on YouTube: https://str.sg/b3tL Discover Evan Low’s music at: Spotify: https://str.sg/9ALG Instagram: https://str.sg/oKkAJ Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team Edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #musiclab See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

31 min
JUN 19

Explore The Straits Times’ podcasts

Listen to our news commentary podcasts on the go every week. Podcasts have become part of the global media landscape these days. The audio-on-demand format allows many listeners to often do other chores or hobbies, while hearing the shows in the background over headphones or bluetooth speakers Almost every weekday, check out our discussions on Singapore current affairs and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career. Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST’s app, which has a dedicated podcast player section. Trailer narrated by: Podcast editor Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg); edited by: Elsa Goh --- Discover more ST podcast channels: 'All-in-one' ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Headstart On Record: https://str.sg/wB2m Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Wheel Insights: https://str.sg/iTtE ST Podcasts website: https://www.straitstimes.com/st-podcasts (*New) The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Special edition series: Green Trails (4 eps): https://str.sg/bMyx This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2025 on April 23, organised by the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra). True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2024 in April, and third place for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Worldwide 2024, both organised by Wan-Ifra. The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 This series also won The Best Podcast/Digital Audio Project category at the 2022 Digital Media Awards Asia, organised by Wan-Ifra. Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stpodcasttr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 min
09/24/2024

Singaporean switches banking studies for music; debut album on US jazz chart

Home-grown jazz saxophone player Sean Hong Wei is the 15th guest in this music channel. Synopsis (headphones recommended): The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In the 15th episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts Singaporean jazz saxophone player Sean Hong Wei. The 25-year-old marked a milestone when his debut album The New Jersey Sessions - a collaboration with his mentor and home-grown jazz maestro Jeremy Monteiro - reached the Top 20 of the chart of American publication JazzWeek in July, 2024. The chart ranks releases based on airplay reports submitted by radio stations. The album had earlier gone to No. 1 on the overall chart and jazz chart on iTunes Singapore within two days of its release on Jan 1. The former banking and finance student is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in music at The New School, New York. He also plays regular shows in the city’s vibrant jazz scene, where he meets and learns from seasoned veterans. He shares his experiences of touring in Asia, including recent performances in Shanghai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Sean discusses his plans to return to Singapore after completing his studies to contribute to the local jazz scene. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:57 On his album charting in the US jazz charts 4:13 On how his Singaporean background is not a barrier in the close-knit New York jazz scene 7:55 His experiences of touring, including recent gigs in Shanghai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. 15:25 Getting into the saxophone, and jazz music, in secondary school 18:15 Dropping out of banking and finance studies and switching to music 25:56 Paying $1 for his saxophone, which is now worth $8,000 28:10 His future plans to help the local jazz scene grow Watch Sean Hong Wei's rendition of Body And Soul, a 1930 jazz standard composed by American songwriter Johnny Green: https://str.sg/nArc Discover home-grown artiste Sean Hong Wei at: Spotify: https://str.sg/An5E Instagram: https://str.sg/yZVP Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team & Studio+65 Edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Ernest Luis Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/7m92 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #musiclab See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 min
08/27/2024

Despite his elimination from Rap Of China, Shigga Shay still sees it as a win

Home-grown rapper Shigga Shay is the 14th guest in this music channel. Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In the 14th episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts Singaporean rapper Shigga Shay. The 31-year-old hip-hop artist speaks at length about his experience as the first Singaporean to take part in The Rap Of China 2024, the popular Chinese reality show (2017 to present) that looks for the country’s next rap star. He was among the 72 contestants out of 600 who passed the first round, and reached the 41st spot before being eliminated in the third round. It is still a win, he says, because his time on the show gave him a platform to reach out to a whole new fanbase in China. He still makes regular trips to China to work with his counterparts there on his upcoming release, a mixtape titled Hanyu Pinyin. Featuring verses in Mandarin, English and Hokkien, this new batch of songs reflect his identity as a multilingual rapper from Singapore who is ready to take on the global stage. Shigga also discusses how hip-hop helped him overcome his shyness, and how his late father gave him his stage name. In the episode, he also performs a rendition of his latest single, Overachieve, which will also be included in his upcoming release Hanyu Pinyin. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:54 On being the first Singaporean to take part in The Rap Of China 14:24 How his multilingual songs tells his story as a rapper from Singapore 18:15 On how he has been rapping for half is life 26:17 Why he calls himself Shigga Shay 30:20 He started making music videos in school 34:47 On running his own music company Listen to Shigga Shay’s live performance of Overachieve here: https://str.sg/GRrZ Discover home-grown artiste Shigga Shay at: YouTube: https://str.sg/bnA6 Spotify: https://str.sg/BQLe Instagram: https://str.sg/vMyR Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@sph.com.sg) Produced by: Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim Recorded by: ST Podcast Team & Studio+65 Edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Ernest Luis Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/7m92 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #musiclab See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

38 min

Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. Podcaster: Eddino Abdul Hadi Produced and recorded by: ST Podcasts & Studio+65 Executive producer: Ernest Luis A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Creator

The Straits Times
Years Active

2022 - 2025
Episodes

36
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2025 The Straits Times
Show Website

Music Lab