Hip hop culture is synonymous with the macho aesthetic: the music and
art are infused with self-assured swagger and proclamations of being
better than the next man–with the emphasis being on the word “man”. It
is, therefore, a landmark when a hip hop artist brings something fresh
to the table, be it a flipped musical style or a never-before-seen
onstage delivery or content that stems from a source previously
untapped. Bringing all this to Malaysia’s musical front is Mizz Nina.
From hip hop MC to electro groove pop princess, Mizz Nina can
certainly admit to living out her dreams. She might have taken on myriad
personas in the span of her career, but her groove-hungry soul and love
for an infectious beat have been a constant in most of them. Spurred on
by a family that has always appreciated artistic expression, Mizz Nina
dove headlong into the world of music and entertainment from the tender
age of eight, and hasn’t looked back since. With her musical
influences–MC Lyte, Run-DMC, Lauryn Hill, Talib Kweli and The Roots,
among others–on full display every time she’s on the mic, the scene has
embraced Mizz Nina’s distinct take on the art of rhythm and poetry with
open arms.
Gaining tutelage from The Singing Shop in PJ (which was founded by
her mother), Mizz Nina initially moved between underground hip hop gigs
and college shows in 1996, impressing such late 90s giants as Poetic
Ammo. In 1997, she formed First Born Troopz with Fiquetional, with whom
she would later cofound seminal Malaysian hip hop group Teh Tarik Crew
(TTC) in 1999. It was with TTC that her musical career truly took off,
with two AIM nominations in 2002 for the group’s full-length album How’s
The Level? and a radio show of her own on the now-defunct WoWfm
(hosting WowVibe).
Critical acclaim soon poured in as TTC obtained recognition as one of
KLue magazine’s best local groups, with the group committing to an
advertising campaign for Ribena that further exposed Mizz Nina’s image
and music to the public on an unprecedented level. By 2004, Mizz Nina
had under her belt a modelling career, more radio shows (on Red FM and
Fly FM) and two more AIM nominations–this time for Teh Tarik Crew’s
sophomore album, What’s Next?. She also went on a national Hotlink tour
and performed at such notable events as Rock The World and the Asian
X-Games. Mizz Nina then expanded her repertoire to hosting as she racked
up engagements for Salem, Nike, KLue and Johnson & Johnson,
culminating in a solo ad campaign for Johnson & Johnson, and TV
hosting gigs on 8TV’s Flava and Channel [V].
After spending the latter part of the decade travelling the world,
Mizz Nina returned to the scene ready to roll with the punches with a
fresh sound and broader musical perspective. Her debut solo album What
You Waiting For, released in July 2010, manifests Mizz Nina’s cool
confidence in her newfound vocation as a singer. Sung in English and
Malay, the longplayer is a pleasure dome of beguiling beats, innovative
melodies and top-notch production, and contains local and international
collaborations from the likes of Uno and AJ of Pop Shuvit, Noh from
Hujan, DJ Fuzz, Koko and Syaheed of Bedsty Music, Sakke from the
Netherlands and Koolade from Croatia to MC Dandee from Bangkok’s
Thaitanium Entertainment, Mawar Berduri from Ahli Fiqir, Teeflii and
Grammy nominee Planet Asia.
Working with illustrious names in the biz comes as second nature for
Mizz Nina, having already sealed liaisons with prominent acts like Too
Phat, Reshmonu and Gerhana Ska Cinta throughout her career. But it was
the title track and first single from the album that became Mizz Nina’s
winning ticket to mass appeal; partnering up with Colby O’Donis, the
catchy pop ditty secured strong spots on local music charts like Carta
Negara on XFM, The Freaky Fly 30 on Fly FM, the MET 10 on hitz.fm and
the DiGi Top 20 on hitzTV as well as topped the digital download charts
for ringtones in Malaysia. Additionally, the song received regular spins
on LA-based radio station 102.3 KJLH while the official video (directed
by Scott McCullough and shot in LA) exceeded one million views on
YouTube just mere months after its release in March. But this is just
the tip of the iceberg, with other standout tracks on the album like
‘Kurnia’, ‘Ping Pong’, ‘Sri Kandi’ and ‘Let Me C U Get It’ ensuring her
debut gets some deserving credit.
Mizz Nina’s album launch party at Zouk in July saw her masterfully
pull off a press conference and mini-showcase with her crew of dancers
(and Colby O’Donis as her special guest) to a packed house. The launch–a
milestone event that is still being talked about by her fans, the media
and industry insiders–showed that the wait for the unveiling of Mizz
Nina as a pop crossover artist was finally over. Today, What You Waiting
For has garnered praiseworthy reviews, with the album successfully
retailing on iTunes in the US, Japan and Australia, and in countries
like Sri Lanka. The exploration of sounds on the new album bears witness
to Mizz Nina’s development as a star, her worldliness as an artist and
her maturity as an individual whose talent knows no boundaries. Trading
in her tracksuit and sneakers for a sleek and sexy persona, Mizz Nina
has indeed grown up and fully come into her own as a force to be
reckoned with in the local entertainment industry.
Currently shuffling between her full-time role as the Managing
Director of The Singing Shop–where her musical education began–and her
innate craft as a singer, entertainer and, most recently, mix DJ (a
skill she picked up from her TTC ally DJ Fuzz) to running her own
recording studio, Mizz Nina has acquired a steady footing in both the
Malaysian indie and underground scenes as well as maintained within
arm’s reach of the glam and glitz of KL’s city limits–showing her
finesse for fitting into any situation presented to her. Even with all
that, she still finds time to indulge in a further passion: fashion
design. Debuting at her album launch, Mizz Nina’s youth fashion line,
Mizz Demeanour, offers casual, ready-to-wear ensembles (which include
tank tops, T-shirts, jeans, shoes and accessories) that reflect the
designer’s down-to-earth and easy-going personality. The highlight of
the collection is Mizz Nina’s personalised, limited edition Blackberry
cases embellished in Swarovski crystals (sponsored by Liberté). Mizz
Demeanour can currently be found at Liberté in KLCC and through
www.mizznina.com.
With so many achievements already done and dusted, Mizz Nina’s path
as an artist is looking to be an exhilarating one for not only her fans
and listeners, but also for the high-spirited and determined talent
herself. Over the years, she has proven that her prodigious wheels have
never stopped turning–even when it seemed like she was on hiatus. Who
knows what else the future has in store for this multifaceted talent as
she continues to spread her wings far and wide. For Mizz Nina, life is
just beginning.
DISCOGRAPHY
- Teh Tarik Crew Albums
- EP ‘ Are We Rap stars now (1999)
- Debut Album ‘How’s the level?’, featuring too phat, nurul, imran, Zioni (2002)
- 2nd Album – What’s next? (2004)
OTHERS :
- Nightlife Camera- Secrecy (featured in 1st album 2002)
- Gerhana Ska Cinta.- Love
- Too phat’s first album – skoo tha nonsense
- Too phat’s second album – u wanna battle (2002)
- Message for the Masses Hip Hop compilation- 4 tracks
- Phat family compilation – phat family anthem theme song (2001)
- Dayang Norfaizah – Bahaya (2002)
- Norfatimah, – (unreleased) Possesif (2003)
- Chakrasonic, – Phase 2 anthem
- Fama – Follow the snare
- Vandal (from Canada)- kl part 2 (unreleased, 2004)
- Mixology Mixtape vol 1 2004 ftg ( JLG squad, Vandal, DJCza, Ceasar Comanche)
- Mixology mictape vol 2 ( 2008)
- Asiaone hip hop compilation (2007) – princesses
- Featured on klue magazine cd – mizznina and shorty with when you see me (2004)
- TTC featured on Asian hip hop compilation with korea- 2 lands
- Nominated for two categories at the AIM 2003 Awards for Best English Album and Best Group Vocal Arrangement.
- Nominated for two categories at the AIM 2004 for best group voal arrangment and best English album
- Featured on Reshmonu’s Superfine album – where there is love there is you (2006)
- Won the Flava Awards at the SHOUT Awards 2010
- Nominated for 3 catergories at the SHOUT Awards 2010 – hot chick, pop star and breakthrough artist.
SHOWS / PROMO TOUR
- TONEdef concert (2001)
- Sorted for tone 2, first Hip Hop and drum n bass collaboration premiere of space bar’s remix of group theraphy 2003
- Rock the world concert 4
- Kent elevation at genting, I emceed for the opening of the event with Spacebar and rocked the crowd! (2003)
- Brunei Hip Hop and rnb concert (2003)
- Singapore Hip Hop concert (2003)
- Klue Urbanscapes 2004
- Klue party at Heritage Row 2004
- Album Launch at Hard Rock Café (2004)
- Asia X Games (2004, 2005)
- Reshmonu superfine album launch (2007)
- A.I.M award artist with Reshmonu Nominee – where there is love there is you
- BillBoard Club, Melbourne for Merdeka – August 2010
- Digi The Next Level 8TV at Seri Pentas 2 Shah Alam – Sept 2010
- Arthurs Day show at Sunway Lagoon – Sept 2010
- Muzik-Muzik guest artist – Oct 2010
- Energizer launch at Quatro Avenue K – Oct 2010
- H-Artistry show at Mines Convention Centre – Oct 2010
- Fly.Fm Aniversary at KL Live – Nov 2010
- X-Play Celcom event at The Library at E@Curve – Nov 2010
- Shout! Awards 2010 at Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil – Nov 2010
- Guess Launch at Double Tree Hotel – Dec 2010
- A-Cipta Awards at Double Tree Hotel – Dec 2010
- Twisties Bingit at Stadium MBPJ, Kelana Jaya – Dec 2010
- Sri Lanka promo tour – 12 dec – 16 dec 2010
- Anugerah Skrin 2010 at PWTC – Dec 2010
- Di Ambang 2011 at Dataran Merdeka – Dec 2010
- Performances in Rotterdam for New Skool Rules Convention – April 2011
- Performances in Gronable, Frances – April 2011
- Opening for Bruno Mars concert in Kuala Lumpur – April 2011
- Opening for Justin Bieber concert in Kuala Lumpur – April 2011
- Performances for Dentsu Japan Relief – May 2011
- Performances at UCSI – May 2011
- Urban Beats at Lanai Matic – May 2011
- Hitz.fm show in Kota Kinabalu – June 2011
- Performances with Flo Rida in Bangkok – June 2011
- Performances for GUESS event at One Utama – Sept 2011
- Performances for Arthurs Day at Selangor Turf Club – Sept 2011
- Performances for Selangor Turf Club Horse Show – Sept 2011
- Performances for Inti International Universiti Open Day at Nilai – Oct 2011
- Performances for World Hunger Relief at Putajaya – Oct 2011
- Performances for Star Business Night at Royal Chulan Hotel – Nov 2011
- Muzik-Muzik Semi Final for KURNIA with Noh Hujan – Nov 2011
- NIKE WE RUN KL at Padang Merbok – Nov 2011
- Opening performances for PitBull Comcert at Sunway Lagoon Surf Beach – Dec 2011
- Performances for Ambank Family Day in Melaka – Dec 2011
- HITZ.FM Birthday Invasion at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching – Dec 2011
- Anugerah Carta Borneo ERA 2011 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching – Dec 2011
- Performances for SAMSUNG at Republika –Dec 2011
- NYE show at The Strand, Kota Damansara – Dec 2011
- DiAmbang 2012 at Dataran Merdeka – Dec 2011
- Twisties show at KLLive – Feb 2012
EMCEE / TV / MODELING
- Host for clean and clear and seventeen magazine model search(2003)
- Tv host for Flava on 8tv (2003- 2004)
- B Elementz Soft Lauch @ Nuovo , 22nd April 2004
- HOST/EMCEE FOR A SERIES OF SALEM INNOVATION SESSIONS @ Nuovo/ zouk (2004-2005) – Triple 5 soul ( Fashion Label )
- Haze ( Graffiti artist )
- Light Surgeons
- Chanel V – Guest VJ for Top 20 Countdown ( May 2004)
- Nike presents A Girls Nite Out with 5678@Zouk K.L (2005)
- Emcee for Junk Magazine event with Nokia @ Zouk ( 2006)
- Johnson n Johnson clean and clear model (tvc and print ads ) for 2003-2005
- Mentos model for tvc (2004)
- Model for Ribena Mobile TVC/print ad (2001-2003)
- Host for Amcorp group Annual dinner 2008
- Gua.com.my host for Levis Unbuttoned event (2008)
- Host for Cantik cantik’s jewelry launch at chinoz Gardens jan (2008)
MAGAZINE COVERS
- Tone (2001)
- KLue (2003, 2004)
- Wanita (2003)
- Remaja (2003)
- Revolution (2002, 2004)
- Vida (2005)
- Eh! (2005)
- Voted 20 most anggun for Eh! (2005)
- Seventeen Cover May 2006
- Shape Cover Feb 2010
- Cover for Kosmo newspaper – May 2010
- Cover for Hip (Berita Harian) newspaper – June 2010
- Cover for UTOPIA magazine – July 2010
- Cover for Pancaindera (Mingguan Malaysia) newspaper – July 2010
- Cover for Mstar (The Star weekly) newspaper – July 2010
- Cover for The Star newspaper – July 2010
- Cover for Hai Magazine Hari Raya Issue (with Aizat, Remy Ishak, Alyah & Tiz Zakiyah) – Sept 2010
- Cover for KUNANG-KUNANG (FireFly) magazine – Sept 2010
- Cover for CLIVE magazine – Nov 2010
- Cover for Metro Ahad (weekly) newspaper – Nov 2010
- Back Cover for Media Hiburan magazine (with Aizat & Yuna) – Nov 2010
- Cover for COSMOPOLITAN magazine – Dec 2010
- Cover for EH! Magazine – Dec 2010
- Cover for FHM Magazine – Jan 2011
- Cover for The Nation, Sri Lanka Magazine Dec 2010
- Cover for YEZZ Magazine – Feb 2011
- Cover for Perempuan Magazine – Feb 2011
- Cover for EH! Magazine (Diva Issue) – March 2011
- Cover for Bipop with Alyah – Mac 2011
- Cover for Hip, Berita Harian – Mac 2011
- Cover for Life & Times, NST – Mac 2011
- Cover for HARMONI – April 2011
- Cover for majalah NONA – April 2011
- Cover for Rapi – May 2011
- Cover for RAP (Harian Metro) –Oct 2011
- Cover for Pancaindera (Mingguan Malaysia) – Nov 2011
- Cover for Yours Magazine – Nov 2011
MAGAZINE FEATURES
- KLue (2002, 2003, 2004)
- FHM (2003, 2004)
- OK! Malaysia
- Mens Health 2009
- 20 Most Glam Dec 2009
MUSIC VIDEOS
- Released first music video ‘Sure shot’ in August, aired on ntv7
- Featured on The Phat Family compilation and music video.
- Featured on V.E’s music video called Ayu
- Released 2nd Music video ‘doodat’, and was showcased on hitz.tv
DJ GIGS
- Ladies first @ Cloth n Clef Feb 22nd 2009
- Taiwan – Lobby and Dreams Club Sep 2009
- The Hanger Launch @ Nuovo Feb 2010
- Perth @ Eve Club Burswood Hotel March 2010
SHOWS / PROMO TOUR :
-
BillBoard Club, Melbourne for Merdeka – August 2010
-
Digi The Next Level 8TV at Seri Pentas 2 Shah Alam – Sept 2010
-
Arthurs Day show at Sunway Lagoon – Sept 2010
-
Muzik-Muzik guest artist – Oct 2010
-
Energizer launch at Quatro Avenue K – Oct 2010
-
H-Artistry show at Mines Convention Centre – Oct 2010
-
Fly.Fm Aniversary at KL Live – Nov 2010
-
X-Play Celcom event at The Library at E@Curve – Nov 2010
-
Shout! Awards 2010 at Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil – Nov 2010
-
Guess Launch at Double Tree Hotel – Dec 2010
-
A-Cipta Awards at Double Tree Hotel – Dec 2010
-
Twisties Bingit at Stadium MBPJ, Kelana Jaya – Dec 2010
-
Sri Lanka promo tour – 12 dec – 16 dec 2010
-
Anugerah Skrin 2010 at PWTC – Dec 2010
-
Di Ambang 2011 at Dataran Merdeka – Dec 2010
