A TRIP TO SINGAPORE…

Well kids, the 16 hour plane ride is starting to feel like a bus ticket and I’m back in Singapore the place of my birth.  I’m pretty excited!  The promoters were worried about me being quarantined for SWINE FLU so they insisted I wear a surgical mask during the flight.  I decided to keep things fresh by adding some SWINE FLU-VITTON custom to my mask.  You like?

Finally back in Singapore and saying whaddup to the Merlion in City Hall.  I was fortunate enough to roll on this short tour with my favorite Tour Manager Maaji Isobe!  Yes folks, my tour manager really looks that fabulous – it’s just how we roll! LOL.  Either way, the time spent in Singapore was hectic between Shows, Rehearsals, Interviews and Recording but as per usual, I can’t wait until the next time I’m back!

HENNESSY ARTISTRY

A few months ago, linked up with super producer PAUL T and he began doing some super fly house remixes for Return of the Bgirl.  We have some tracks on the bubble, and now I’m back to rock the stage with him June 26. 2009 @ FORBIDDEN CITY (Clarke Quay) for HENNESSY ARTISTRY

Check out PAUL T WEBSITE or at his BLOG

Practicing my "DJ SARASA" point...

Masia One Flag pose up.

The gyal dem!

Thanks for the footage Obie One!  I’m currently getting the concert footage edited.  This will be available real soon!

Rocking "Warrior's Tongue" for my Sing Sing peoples!

Paul T on the 1s and 2s...

On time...rock the show.

Paul T thank you for being a wonderful DJ that held it down!!!

What a beautiful crowd!

The Legend from SG himself GARUDA on the mic with Masia One!

Bgirl DIAN throws down! Singapore premier Bgirl represent!

Masia's turn! Bboy Mahmud in the cut!!!

It was a pleasure and honor to rock the stage with these fine gentlemen...Celsius 7 from The Bay & Paul T

After the show, the Bboys & Bgirls look gully!

Seriously tho, Bgirl Dian is an OG in the making! Thanks for keeping Hiphop alive in Singapore!

The Singapore Crew: MERDEKA + Golden Triangle!

ps...got my nails did on some multicolored camouflage for the show @ China Town Point!

MEDIA, PR and PROPAGANDA!

Masia One @ Channel News Asia

Microphone check 1, 2, 1, 2...

The host of Prime Time morning was the loveliest lady!

A little too early in the morning, I haul myself out of bed to make the PRIME TIME morning show on Channel News Asia.  I was really impressed by how eloquent the host spoke.  I was a little nervous as this was my first appearance on Asia syndicated TV and as my mom pointed out to me, I said “Oh My Goodness” too much! Who knew the rapper would be a little tongue tied.

PRIME TIME MORNING, Channel News Asia: VIEW VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE

Posing out with VAL from "THE BIG PICTURE"

My second interview on Channel News Asia was after a long rehearsal on location at Forbidden City.  Reporter VAL arrived equip with some really interesting questions.  i’ve never had to search my Singapore soul so deeply before! LOL.  Either way, she wrote a lovely follow up blogging admitting that she was not a huge fan of Hiphop but “but I want to be Masia’s fan”.  Too Cute!  I have to make a correction on the comment that i choose not to cuss in my lyrics…I try not to for my mama, but sometimes my trucker mouth gets the better of me.  LOL!

THE BIG PICTURE, Chanel News Asia:

VIEW INTERVIEW HERE

VIEW VAL’S BLOG HERE

Paul T, Celsius and I took a nice trip to LUSH RADIO 99.5 and kicked it with Lavinia Tan talking about PULAU, Hennessy Artistry show and of course the merits of pole dancing (*nervous laugh)  The show LUSH EVENINGS debuted the song PULAU (feat. Lady E, Moe Masri – both from Singapore and the homegirls Isis & DJ SARASA) Stay tuned to LUSH for some Masia One rotation in the near future…

After the radio show we went out to a lovely meal.  The food was great but a couple local delicacies may be a little too digestive to digest!  I don’t think Maaji was feelin’ the Stomach Soup…just add hot sauce! LOL

The homey Celsius 7 made a new friend outside the restaurant.  I believe he named him Sammy!

[IT'S OFFICIAL!!!]

MASIA ONE SPONSORED BY ADIDAS SE ASIA!!!

I’ve always loved my shell toes and I’m thrilled to be sponsored by Adidas SE Asia.  Thanks for the love to all the people at Adidas Singapore…I’ll be raiding your ADIDAS ORIGINALS store real soon! LOL.

THANKS ADIDAS!

Shopping @ ADIDAS ORIGINALS, Pacific Plaza Singapore…

Fresh off the plane, I met Paul at the Adidas store near Orchard Road and went to work…shopping that is!  Adidas will be sponsoring my outfits for the show as well as media appearances while here in Singapore.  (Look out for my interview on The Morning Show for Channel News Asia June 30)

ITCHY HANDZ + MASIA ONE CUSTOMS = BASHMENT!

These customes by Itchy Handz are out of control!  The Left shoe says MASIA ONE and the right shoe says ONE LOVE with a perfect MERDEKA logo painted on the toe.  Thank you so much for these gems…I feel like Cinderella in shelltoes!

Recording with Paul T

[the man with the master plan]

Paul T runs a top notch studio in downtown Singapore called Opuz.  I was fighting off a cold I caught in Bali (no it’s not Swine Flu!) but we managed to pump out 2 bangin’ tracks.  I will be returning to Singapore to finish this project I have started with Mr. T – Hey Paul I don’t think they are ready for us! LOL.

After the show it’s the afterparty…

Maaji and I got to take some days off to explore and indulge in what Singapore had to offer. There’s nothing like jumping on the train in Singapore – so efficient that my Asian sensibilities are delighted!  We stopped by Bedok to pay some love to where my rap game started at the tender age of 8! LOL.

We decided to kick off the time with engaging in one of Singapore’s national sports…shopping.  This picture of Maaji above was literally 2 minutes after entering the store with 5 items in hand!  She’s really good at this sport.  My favorite shopping haunts in Singapore: BUGIS STREET, FAR EAST PLAZA and TAKASHIMAYA if I’m feeling bourgeois.  Oh yeah…and I must have scouted every TOP SHOP location in Singapore.

Singapore’s other national sport of course being…eating.  I miss the food so much.  I can’t speak to much on this or my belly may have a revolt and I’ll find myself on the next plane back to Sing Sing fienin’ for some Laksa and Chicken Rice.

JURONG BIRD PARK is one of my favorite places to visit while in Sing Sing.  The grounds boast this aviary that allows the birds to flitter around freely and sometimes land on your finger or along a series of bridges and bird houses built for up close and personal observation.  I have to admit though, that seeing a Canadian Eagle in tropical Singapore made me sad.

Naturally the bird park visit is followed by one to the zoo.  I know many people are opposed to Zoos and the idea of watching animals in captivity, but I must admit that the Singapore Zoo uses natural barriers to keep the animals departmentalize… allowing them to appear fairly un-caged in.  Nervously so…take this attacking mountain lion for instance!

Little known fact about me…I used to have breakfast with this Orangutan Ah Meng when I was 6.  I returned 11 years later to the Zoo to say whaddup to my monkey and she rolled up to the edge of her habitat and sat staring directly at me.  We perched on our respective rocks for 30 minutes staring at one another.  In 2008 Ah Meng passed away due to old age.  You’re missed my Sumatran Furry Homey!

At the end of hectic Singapore city hustle, there’s nothing like recapping with the management over Kiwi Martinis on Singapore’s waterfront.  The recaps where less business and more about remembering life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Kom-pai!

What??? No Durians!  What an outrage!

Another not to be missed visit while in the Lion City is the BOTANICAL GARDENS.  I love it here.  On a good day you can see some prehistoric plants, bonzais, orchids, lillies and Tai Chi masters practicing their katas under the shade of tropical trees.

Ok people, I’m not a total hippy!  Of course we jammed for a few while in town with my fam out here in SG.  I can’t comment too much on the quality of music selection in Singapore (I’m trying to stay positive, but for the love of GOD!!! APPLE BOTTOM JEANS NEED NOT BE PLAYED 3 TIMES A NIGHT!!!)  In spite of some unrhythmic dancing and bad musical choices, my friends here kept me totally happy that I paid my double taxi fare for a night out.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE VIDEO SHOOT…

On my last visit back to Singapore, I recorded a song with MC GARUDA & OBIE ONE called Young Soul.  We decided to do like true Hiphop do and shoot a makeshift video for the single.  Look out for the release of YOUNG SOUL on GARUDA’S forthcoming debut album (Golden Triangle Records).