A high-profile Malaysian hip-hop artist and composer drew inspiration for his latest single from his current legal predicament.
Namewee (黃明志), a.k.a. Wee Meng Chee, released a pulsating new song last week called “Misread Me 誤解就誤解”. It’s a screed against the media, which he feels has put him on trial through its coverage. He dropped the song as he’s out bail while facing drug charges.
Malaysian police arrested Namewee on November 5. It came more than a week after the Taiwanese influencer known as the “nurse goddess”, Iris Hsieh, was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Malaysia. She was in the country filming a video with the rapper. He called police to the scene, according to Malaysian media.
Malaysian authorities have not released any autopsy results in connection with Hsieh’s death. Nevertheless, her death—along with the drug charges against Namewee—have fuelled a media firestorm in Asia.
Listen to Namewee’s latest track.
In “Misread Me 誤解就誤解”, Namewee declares: “Misread me? Then misread. Hate me? Go ahead. Throw your dirt? Do it. Got no words? Then stay dead. Misread me? Then misread.”
He goes on to declare that he was never part of the media’s frame.
“You can attack me, it’s painful but I’m alright, faith’s still mine,” he sings. “My life is completely ruined, but I only wanna be the man I define.”
Namewee became famous in 2007 when he lampooned his country’s national anthem with lyrics highlighting corruption and discrimination against ethnic Chinese in Malaysia.
Fourteen years later, he recorded “Fragile”, which caused a ruckus in China. The song was banned there because it was interpreted as ridiculing hypersensitive nationalist netizens. Namewee sang the song in Mandarin with Australian Chinese singer Kimberley Chen.
According to TVBS, a hearing is scheduled on December 18 in connection with Namewee’s criminal case.
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