With just about a week to Majulah Live x It’s A Rap — one of the biggest showcases of Singapore-made music and comedy in a one-night-only live concert — here, we catch up with one of its rising artists AE$OP CA$H on his artistry, his EP titled SWOPO and how he feels performing for the gig itself.

Hello AE$OP CA$H, how’s it going?
It’s been a hectic start to the year but things are going well for me, thank you so much.

What I like to do with people I interview for the first time would be to get them to introduce themselves in 10 words or less so if you could humour me.
I am a rapper that you’ll be seeing around often.

Majulah Live x It’s A Rap 2022 is going live on 19th March, 8 pm at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands. 

When I first saw your artist profile deck, I was like “Woah, ok this fit is fire because I love it when artists stack ice.” Do you think your music & style is interconnected?
Thank you, hahaha. Yes most definitely, my music has always been a reflection of my honest feelings, and that carries over to my style in fashion and also even the way I speak and think.

Why do you perhaps, think people think you’re polarizing?
Actually, I don’t think people think I’m polarizing, I just think me as an artist usually puts people in a position where they either understand me and love and ride for me or they don’t and they think it’s unnecessary or over the top.

If I had to guess, I think it’s the image and sound that cause this.

The first time I heard of you was when you performed in The Room Session. I then went to watch Fendi Belt and the swagger is real.  What do you think it is though?
Oh wow! Room Sessions was a great time, and thank you so much. I agree that now more than ever, there’s a distinct ‘ZOPO’ sound and style.

It’s been about five to six years since I dropped my first ever song, so after years of exploring, experimentation, and practice I’ve found my own swag, slick and smart bars mixed with genuine emotion, and a different class of street swag.

With the SWOPO EP, what do you think you’re doing differently?
I’ve always been a bit pigeonholed as the trap rapper or gangster rapper and I didn’t like that as I have so much more to offer. Working on SWOPO EP with this mindset, I made sure to show other sides of my artistry and with RIIDEM, PravOnTheLoose, Luke, and the whole team.

I think we achieved our goal and I’m happy people enjoyed it.

What do you think is the biggest difference between 2016 AE$OP and 2022 AE$OP? It feels like your style went from Anderson Paak-lite to full-on Kid Cudi. It feels very natural to me.
Kid Cudi has always been one of my major inspirations so thank you so much for that comparison haha. Just like the comparison made, Anderson Paak to Kid Cudi is not that major a jump in style or sound but I think recently, musically I’ve been way clearer in terms of what I want to do and I think the biggest difference is that I execute my ideas way better now.

How does it feel like performing for Majulah Live? What are you hoping to do and perhaps, learn?
It’s a blessing to be doing this show honestly, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. I’m always excited to be on stage, I hope everybody that comes through enjoys themselves.

I hope this show opens up more shows in the future and I’ll be watching my fellow performers very closely to learn from some of our industry vets.

Also, I usually like to ask what is the #1 song for 2021 for the people I’m interviewing this year so if you could humour me again.

Wow this is a tough one but, Alyph — adakah kau mendengar.

Once you’re done with this story about AE$OP CA$H, click here to catch up with our March 2022 cover stars, BTS!