making.wavs Season 2
Back by popular demand, Season 2 of making.wavs, Mothership’s music programme featuring up-and-coming local musicians in Singapore, dives deeper into Singapore’s vibrant music scene, showcasing the stories and sounds of local musicians who are making an impact both at home and abroad.
This season features a diverse lineup of Singaporean artists, including Shazza, WHYLUCAS, Josh Makazo, Jason Yu, Rhyu and Danesh Leonadi – each bringing their unique style and story to the forefront.
Through this series, the artists are able to showcase their talents, and provide an insightful look into the challenges faced by local musicians, including overcoming stigmas and making a breakthrough in a small market. Additionally, it shares inspiring success stories of their perseverance.
Meet The Artists: Josh Makazo
Josh Makazo made his breakthrough with his debut single Awhile but his musical journey began much earlier.
At the age of six, he started vocal lessons, encouraged by his mother after attempts at learning piano. This early foray into music led him to musical theatre, where he performed in professional productions like The Sound of Music in Singapore. His early exposure to professional music environments played a significant role in shaping his music production skills later on.
Josh’s style is a fusion of contemporary R&B and rap, heavily inspired by artists like Frank Ocean. He describes his genre as dark R&B, reflecting his introspective and emotive musical creations.
Reflecting on his journey, Josh shared, “I just want to be able to heal through my music… Listening to Frank Ocean’s music really healed me, and I wanted to do that to others what he – and many other artists – has done for me”.
Fans can look forward to experiencing more of Josh’s unique blend of dark R&B and contemporary influences as he continues to carve out his place in Singapore’s music scene. His journey is a testament to the power of introspection and the impact of authentic, purpose-driven artistry.
Keep an eye out for Hours, Josh’s newly released single, and his upcoming projects as Josh continues to make waves and touch hearts with his music.
Meet The Artists: Shazza
From posting covers on YouTube as a hobby to appearing on a billboard in Times Square, Shazza, whose real name is Shareefa Aminah, has embarked on an incredible journey to become one of Singapore’s most prolific local talents. With a fervent love for music since childhood, she started writing songs at the age of 11.
“I grew up around a lot of music, so it was something I was always drawn to. When I began writing songs, it was because I wanted to create this thing that I enjoyed consuming so much, and seemingly brought my family so much joy,” said the 23-year-old.
In 2022, she released her first professional single, Pity Party, which was met with positive reception. Since then, she has gained traction, consistently uploading a steady stream of quality music, and even fatefully collaborating with popular pop-duo, Crash Adams.
Her talents have earned her performances at numerous events, including Republic Polytechnic’s IGNITE! music festival 2024.
The journey was far from easy for Shazza, as she faced challenges such as the stigmatisation of local music. Despite receiving compliments on her songs, she often encountered the sentiment that if something sounded good, it could not possibly be from Singapore. Fortunately, she persevered past these stigmas.
Having studied Mass Communications during her time at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, she utilised the skills she acquired to promote her music to a wider audience. “A lot of musicians don’t go into music to become a marketer. You go into it to make music. I’m very blessed that I had that communications background,” she said.
Meet The Artists: WHYLUCAS
WHYLUCAS, a budding talent in Singapore’s music scene, has had a journey marked by creativity and resilience. His musical adventure began early, starting guitar lessons at the age of six, which ignited a lifelong passion.
Balancing his studies with his music career has not been easy. Schoolwork, orientation programs, and music gigs all compete for his time. “School really is my backup plan,” he admits, acknowledging the importance of his education while pursuing his dreams. The struggle to fit everything into a single day is real, but he meets this challenge head-on.
Motivation comes naturally to Lucas, driven by a competitive spirit and a desire to prove himself. “I really want to do my best every day and see how far I can go with this craft,” he says, fueled by personal ambition and the wish to make his grandmother proud.
His music career took off during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when he started experimenting with GarageBand in his bedroom. This period of lockdown creativity helped him hone his songwriting skills, eventually leading him to use Logic Pro.
After completing his A Levels, he fully immersed himself in music, releasing his first single, Yearbook, in 2022. The song’s success was amplified by his savvy use of TikTok, where he shared music-related funny videos that resonated with a wide audience.
From childhood guitar lessons to creating viral TikTok content, WHYLUCAS’s journey is a testament to his perseverance and innovative spirit. He continues to evolve as an artist, making significant strides in the local music scene with his heartfelt and relatable approach.
The Curtain Call
making.wavs Season 2 was a resounding success, providing impressive talents like Jason Yu and Danesh Leonadi a platform to showcase their skills. The finale was unforgettable, with each artist delivering covers, fan favourites, and even some unreleased songs.
The event demonstrated the exceptional talent across Singapore just waiting to be discovered. If you’re reading this, consider it a sign to support the local music scene by listening to these artists and giving them the recognition they deserve.
“I was super happy to be approached for Season 2. I would like to think that this has opened up more Singaporeans to the idea of local music, in a fresh way that’s easy for them to get into.”
Shazza
