If you have been following The Rap of China 2023, you would have spotted a guest performer from the Lion City in one of its most recent episodes.
During the eighth episode of iQIYI's popular Chinese rap competition, local hip-hop act ShiGGa Shay took the stage alongside Taiwanese rap star and The Rap of China 2023 contestant E.SO for a performance of the track 'BO BEH ZAO (没⻢跑)'.
A collaborative effort between two artists who are admirers of each other's work, the fast-paced number has a Hokkien title that translates to "no horse run" in English. The expression is used to describe something as "the best".
The track was unveiled in front of the show's live audience three months ahead of its official release in September 2023. A recording of the performance was also uploaded to iQIYI Variety's YouTube channel on 24 June.
“I first met E.SO and his MJ116 crew back in 2015 when they were in Singapore for a music conference. While we have known each other for eight years, we only thought of working on a collaboration back in 2021 with this track. I’m really appreciative of E.SO for inviting me on The Rap Of China 2023 as his special guest performer," said ShiGGa Shay, whose real name is Pek Jin Shen.
He continue: "He’s known as a risk-taker in his music career. And it shows here. It’s my debut performance in China where the audience is unfamiliar with me. Other competitors have strategised by picking previous contestants and pop stars to assist them. So it’s definitely a risk on his end. I’m glad that we are able to share this stage to perform.”
Aside from working with E.SO, ShiGGa Shay has also joined forces with international names such as South Korea's Jay Park and Thailand's F.HERO in his career. Back at home, the 30-year-old was announced as one of the co-writers and performers of the NDP 2023 theme song, 'Shine Your Light', which also features 53A, lewloh, Olivia Ong, Iman Fandi, Lineath, and The Island Voices, last month.
