In 2019, a female emcee hopped onto the male-dominated online Hip Hop reality TV competition – 16 Baris. Clad in a full hijab and baju kurung [traditional Malay headscarf and female attire,] rapper Bunga burst onto the scene with impressive skills while keeping her Islamic identity intact. Her commitment to her faith made waves internationally, as she was soon featured in publications such as The New York Times and Vogue Arabia, making her a fast-rising Malaysian artist. Now on the ninth single of her career, ‘Ikat Mati’ continues on the trend of showing off her versatility and technical prowess while adding Aye Darko and Syifa into the mix.

Backed by a Boom Bap beat, each MC keeps their cool and delivers performances that go into excruciating detail about toxic relationships and the physical trauma that comes with them. ‘Ikat Mati’ isn’t an easy listen by any means but it is a great look at the chemistry between the three artists while highlighting their ability to create controversial art that still remains accessible for their longtime fans. This is in large part due to Bunga’s penchant for both rapping and singing.

There isn’t a music video for the single just yet, but the lyric video alone is more than enough to keep you entertained for the next three minutes. Reading through the lyrics shows how technically impressive they are as songwriters and the grasp they have over creating vivid imagery in their music.

Check out Bunga’s ‘Ikat Mati’ featuring Aye Darko and Syifa below.