Blending the ancient sounds of Sarawak with cinematic electronics, teenage prodigy Belle Sisoski is on a mission to show that heritage and innovation can share the same stage — even at global events such as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
The one-woman band taking heritage to the world
When Belle Sisoski steps onto an international stage, she isn’t just performing — she’s carrying Sarawak’s stories, instruments, and rhythms into places they’ve never been heard before.
At just 19, the Kuching-born live-act, producer, composer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and DJ has already won millions of online followers, made waves at global music contests, collaborated with world-famous brands, and carved out her own signature fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds.
Now, as she gears up to perform at the F1 Singapore Grand Prix this October, Belle is proving that being an anak Sarawak isn’t a footnote in her career — it’s the heartbeat of her music.
“It’s an incredible honour to represent Sarawak on one of the world’s biggest stages. For me, performance is about showing the world that our music, our culture, and our stories are worth celebrating on a global scale.
“Carrying my heritage into an event of this magnitude feels like a milestone,” Belle told Sarawak Tribune, reflecting on her upcoming F1 Grand Prix performance.
From Sarawak’s sounds to the world stage
Her sound — a hypnotic blend of Southeast Asian ethnic instruments, cinematic strings, and pulsing electronic beats — was never the product of a calculated industry formula.
It grew naturally from her upbringing. Belle’s mother, a classical musician and ethnomusicologist, introduced her to a vast palette of instruments from an early age, from the classical piano and violin to the sape, tapi boat lute, engkerurai mouth organ, turali nose flute, engkerumong idiophone, and the thunderous 24 Seasons Drums.
“Over time, I began experimenting with ways to merge all those traditional sounds with classical cinematic and electronic production.
“This blend keeps the culture alive but also makes it accessible to audiences who might not otherwise hear it.
“It’s my way of preserving tradition while pushing it into new spaces,” she explained.
Her performances are as much a visual feast as they are an auditory experience.
Often clad in flamboyant feather-like costumes inspired by the hornbill, Belle transforms each set into a living artwork, weaving tradition and spectacle together.
That instinct to mix worlds has taken Belle on a journey few artists her age have travelled.
She began performing and learning multiple instruments as a child, gradually building a repertoire that now spans more than 30 instruments.
But it was sharing her remixes and original tracks online — amassing over three million organic followers — that catapulted her career into the global arena.
Tracks like “Stop Your Games”, “The Revival”, and “The Revelation” reveal her cinematic, intimate side, while “Hold On”, “Focus”, and “Mother’s Calling” showcase high-energy electronic punch, all anchored by traditional textures.
The biggest challenge, she admits, has been finding the balance between authenticity and mainstream appeal.
“I’ve learnt that they can coexist beautifully. Everything starts from home. Whether it’s a story, an emotion, or a traditional rhythm, my work is deeply tied to Sarawak.
“I also make it a point to keep learning from elders and practitioners — that connection keeps my work grounded while allowing it to evolve,” she said.
It’s this deep cultural tether that gives Belle’s performances their emotional force.
“Sarawakian culture and identity are the backbone of my artistry.
“When performing on international stages, I see myself as a cultural storyteller — someone who carries a piece of home into spaces where it might never have been heard before,” she explained.
Turning heritage into a global brand
Her international appearances are proof of that mission in action: from the Rainforest World Music Festival and Supalapa Festival to Ultra Taiwan, the Sundown Festival in Singapore, and even countdown celebrations at KLCC.
Along the way, she’s been courted by brands like Cartier, Hublot, Schwarzkopf, Feng Cheng Wang, AirAsia, AIA, Genshin Impact, Honor of Kings, Mobile Legends, and Pepsi Malaysia — partnerships that place her artistry in both cultural and commercial spotlights.
And this October, she’ll carry that same cultural-meets-contemporary energy to the Singapore Grand Prix, where her set will unfold before a truly global crowd.
This approach has made her part of a rising wave of East Malaysian artists gaining global attention, and she hopes her path inspires others.
“Your culture is your strength. It’s what makes you unique in an industry that often rewards originality.
“I hope my journey encourages anyone to keep experimenting, keep learning, and take that leap without waiting for permission,” Belle emphasised.
It’s this fearless blend of heritage and innovation that she’ll bring to the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre in Singapore — a performance designed to be as much a visual experience as it is a sonic one.
“There will definitely be cultural elements woven in, and there’s always a surprise in store.
“It’s cinematic electronic energy meets live traditional instruments — all performed in my one-woman-band style,” she noted.
All eyes on the Singapore Grand Prix
Looking ahead, Belle’s ambitions reach far beyond any single stage.
“I hope to help put Southeast Asian, Malaysian, and Sarawakian traditional fusion sounds firmly on the global music map.
“I want to leave behind a body of work that is both emotionally powerful and culturally significant — something that not only connects with people in the moment but also preserves and celebrates our traditions for the future,” she said — and you knew she meant every word.
Barely out of her teens, Belle Sisoski has already achieved what many artists spend decades building — a distinctive voice, a cultural mission, and a platform that spans international borders.
Yet, she sees herself not at the peak, but at the starting line.
With her youth, boundless energy, and unwavering sense of purpose, Belle’s journey is still unfolding — and if her rapid rise is anything to go by, the world has only begun to hear her song.
On Saturday, October 4, Belle will bring that song to the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre, delivering her signature one-woman-band fusion of cinematic electronics and Sarawakian traditional instruments to an international audience. Malaysians are invited to watch and cheer her on, with tickets available at singaporegp.sg.
The weekend’s music lineup will also feature some of the biggest names in the industry: South Korean superstar G-Dragon and fellow K-pop icon CL kick off festivities on Friday (October 3); Foo Fighters and Alan Walker join Belle on the Saturday bill; and the legendary Elton John will close the event on Sunday (October 5), alongside emotive UK singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi.
