The Life Of Brian

It wasn’t long ago that Rich Brian was just a tween creating skit videos in the suburbs of Indonesia. Five years later, with two albums under his belt, Brian puts out 1999, a deeply personal EP. It’d appear that he has finally grown up and if so, is it a good thing?

- Wayne Cheong

“Mama, I’m a grown-a** man already /

I got problems I can’t even tell you already /

20s lookin’ crazy, I can’t wait for 21 /

Promise you’ll be happy for as long as I’m around.”

–‘Sins’ by Rich Brian

Four days before our interview, Brian Imanuel Soewarno, aka Rich Brian, would celebrate his 21st birthday alone in his room. He ordered three Heinekens and nursed them as he posted to his Twitter, informing his followers that he’s 21. ‘Sins’, the final track from his latest album 1999, plays in the background as he celebrates this milestone and in what would be uncharacteristically hip-hop, Brian will later fall asleep.

He is in China as a judge for the televised competition called Rap for Youth. This is the second rap talent contest since The Rap of China first aired three years ago. With its protest roots, rap has not rooted deeply into China’s music psyche. While rap has relatability with China’s youth, the genre has attracted its share of detractors, mainly the Chinese government. But the genre has persisted, with three rap-centric variety programmes airing in the summer.

“I’m judging along with Higher Brothers’ KnowKnow and Masiwei [peers from the 88rising label],” Brian says. “I’m the only one on the show that doesn’t speak Chinese.”

This isn’t his first time in China but it is the longest he’d spent there. The lengthy sojourn allows Brian to explore more of the country. With the Higher Brothers as his guides, he had been off the beaten path, living it up like a local.