Music Lab

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 ([email protected])

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: [email protected]

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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

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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.

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 ([email protected])

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: [email protected]

---

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.

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 ([email protected])

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: [email protected]

---

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.

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 ([email protected])

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: [email protected]

---

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.

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 ([email protected])

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: [email protected]

---

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.

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 ([email protected]); edited by: Elsa Goh

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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: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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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

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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.

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 ([email protected])

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: [email protected]

---

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.

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 ([email protected])

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: [email protected]

---

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.

Hear home-grown rapper Shigga Shay's intimate live studio take of his latest single, Overachieve, which will also be included in his upcoming release Hanyu Pinyin.

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 Shigga Shay talk about his musical journey in the full audio-only podcast here: https://str.sg/yzJA 

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 ([email protected])

Produced by: Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim

Recorded by: ST Podcast Team & Studio+65

Mixed by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Discover previous artistes featured on Music Lab Podcast:

Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB

Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

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.

Hear how Spotify's Radar programme has helped expose home-grown singer-songwriter Hongjoin.

Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio.

In the 13th episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts Singaporean singer-songwriter Hongjoin.

The 22-year-old, whose music encompasses genres ranging from R&B and indie-pop, is based in Boston, United States, and is trying to make his mark in the US music scene while studying there.

He has regular shows in various US cities and has been highlighted by Spotify as a Radar artist, a program that highlights rising talents from around the world.

He recently returned to Singapore to do two concerts - a solo headlining show at the Esplanade in June, and as the opening act for US singer-songwriter Ricky Montgomery’s show at the Pasir Panjang Power Station in May.

Like many singers from his generation, he is active on TikTok and Instagram, which has helped him build up an audience in regional countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines.

In this episode, he also sings a live rendition of the title track from his sophomore album released recently, Komorebi.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:55 How he ended up as a musician in the US

8:11 His solo show in Singapore was sold out

13:38 On tapping into his Japanese roots for his new album

15:50 How the pandemic led to his decision to take music seriously

22:08 On how TikTok and Instagram helped him find an audience in Indonesia and the Philippines

23:32 Taking a break from school to focus on music full-time

25:42 His plans to return to Singapore and contribute to the music scene here

Listen to Hongjoin’s live performance of Komorebi here: https://str.sg/ejzw

Discover home-grown artiste Hongjoin at:

YouTube: https://str.sg/o9mTN

Spotify: https://str.sg/pQwe

Instagram: https://str.sg/apXW

Produced by: Eddino Abdul Hadi ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim & Amirul Karim

Recorded by: ST Podcast Team & Studio+65

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Follow Music Lab Podcast here every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/w9TX

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB

Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa

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Discover more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

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ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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.