With a steady hand and heartfelt vision, Kuching-born Hanif Arip is quietly carving out his place in the Mandopop scene. From his soulful Mandarin vocals to a cinematic space-themed music video, the rising singer’s second single, 时空裂缝 (Tear in Space-Time), reveals both artistic ambition and a deep-rooted pride in his Sarawakian heritage.
Dual heritage, one voice
Music streaming has made releasing singles more accessible and strategic than ever. In the attention-driven digital landscape, singles offer emerging artistes a smart way to test the waters — gauging audience reactions and experimenting with sound without committing to a full album. Each release becomes a low-risk, high-value opportunity to learn and grow.
One artiste embracing this approach is Hanif Arip, a rising Mandopop talent from Kuching. Since releasing his debut single in February 2025, Hanif has taken measured, thoughtful steps in building his musical identity. His second single, 时空裂缝 (“Tear in Space-Time”), dropped on May 23 with a well-attended launch event at Kuching’s historic Old Court House, drawing an energetic crowd, especially from his own generation.
In a world where thousands of tracks are uploaded daily to platforms like Spotify, standing out requires more than just a good song. Hanif and his team clearly understood the importance of planning. They followed a three-phase strategy: Intrigue, Launch, and Support. Teasers featured Hanif in a spacesuit against a cosmic backdrop, reminiscent of K-pop aesthetics — romantic, sleek, and futuristic.
The campaign built anticipation across social media, and the launch event was more than just a performance. It was a shared experience. Hanif’s warmth and humility made everyone feel welcome, reinforcing his growing connection with fans.
Hanif Arip on Identity, Creativity and Kuching Pride
Sarawak Tribune: You are steadily growing a presence in the Mandopop scene. What drives your artistic journey?
Hanif: Music has always been a passion. Of course, I hope to reach more people, but just as importantly, I want to grow as an artist. Each song is a chance to evolve. I am not competing with others but just with myself, to be better with every release.
You are a Mandopop artist with a Malay name, which is unique. What is the story behind that?
Hanif: I get that reaction a lot. My dad was a native Sarawakian Muslim, and my mom is Chinese. Before my dad passed, he encouraged my mom to speak Mandarin with me, so I grew up in a Mandarin-speaking home. Even though I am stronger in English, I sing in Mandarin to honour my heritage and especially my mom, who raised me on her own. It is deeply personal.
Was your production team the same as for your first single?
Hanif: Some of them returned, but not all. What I am proud of is that everyone involved is Sarawakian. It means a lot to collaborate with local talent. I especially want to credit our MV director, Alester Leong. His vision, discipline, and creativity elevated the whole project. We spent a lot of time bouncing ideas, and his passion matched mine every step of the way. He brought my initial concept to life and made it even better.
You shot the video in Kuching. Was that intentional?
Hanif: Definitely. Growing up here, I have come to appreciate Kuching’s charm and character. Filming in my hometown was a way of sharing that love with the world. It was not easy, though. After my debut single, we spent over a month planning the second video. We wanted to include VFX to visually express the song’s metaphor — love suspended in time and space. That required green screens, CGI, and a lot of coordination.
Filming took four days, and post-production took over a month. The last day was fully dedicated to studio shots for the space-themed intro. It was technically demanding, but our team pulled it off. Seeing the finished product on launch night made all the hard work worth it.
Does your background influence your music beyond language?
Hanif: Absolutely. My identity is layered with Melanau-Muslim roots from my father and Chinese culture from my mother. That dual heritage shapes how I approach music, storytelling, and even visuals.
There is a personal connection to the places we filmed, too. My mom grew up on Carpenter Street, and we shot scenes there. During production, we learned that Alester’s mom and mine were childhood friends from that very street. It felt like a full-circle moment with two generations reconnecting through this project. It added a lot of emotion and meaning.
What do you want listeners to take away from your new single?
Hanif: 时空裂缝 is about meeting the right person at the wrong time—a love that is real but out of sync with life’s timing. It is about connection and longing, even when things do not work out. I hope listeners feel that bittersweet beauty and maybe remember their own “what-if” moments. Sometimes, the feelings that did not last still linger the longest.
Hanif’s single is now available on all major streaming platforms: Spotify. YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, iTunes Store, and others.
