Zamaera Is Bringing Malaysia to SXSW With Ikan Kekek and the Country’s First-Ever Stage

Some moments feel bigger than music.

This February, Malaysian rapper and singer-songwriter Zamaera isn’t just dropping a new single. She’s opening a door. One that leads straight from Kuala Lumpur to Austin, Texas, and onto one of the most influential cultural platforms in the world.

Revealed at a press conference held at KLoé Hotel, Zamaera announced two major milestones: the release of her new single Ikan Kekek, and her role as the lead artist behind the first-ever Malaysian Stage at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2026.

Two wins. One moment. And a clear message: Malaysia is ready.

Ikan Kekek, Reimagined for a New Era

Zamaera’s newest release, Ikan Kekek, is not just a song. It’s a bold reinterpretation of a familiar Malaysian folk rhyme, flipped into something futuristic, fearless, and completely her own.

Fusing her signature rap style with trap, techno rhythms, and local influences, the track pushes at the edges of what contemporary Malaysian music can sound like.

“Ikan Kekek is my way of showing that Malaysian music can be bold, modern, and deeply rooted at the same time,” she explains.

It’s the kind of genre-blurring, culture-loaded piece that feels especially powerful on an international stage, offering global audiences a glimpse into Malaysia’s creativity, identity, and musical evolution.

This isn’t nostalgia. It’s reinvention.

Malaysia’s First-Ever SXSW Stage Is Here

If Ikan Kekek is the soundtrack, the stage is the statement.

Zamaera is officially leading the debut of the “Made In Malaysia” stage at SXSW 2026, a dedicated platform built to spotlight Malaysian creative voices at one of the world’s most influential festivals.

And she isn’t doing it alone.

Curating the lineup herself, she will be joined by four Malaysian artists:

• Zoe Tan (indie/folk)

• Lil Asian Thiccie (hyperpop)

• I-SKY (techno/edm/alt)

• MURTY (rnb)

Together, they represent the depth, diversity, and originality of Malaysia’s independent music landscape, staying true to authentic voices that refuse to be boxed in.

The historic stage was independently conceived and produced by Mean Malaya Entertainment, Zamaera’s own creative company, marking a major milestone not only for her career, but for Malaysian music as a whole.

“This Isn’t Just About Me Performing”

For Zamaera, the return to SXSW carries weight.

“SXSW changed my life the first time I stepped on that stage,” says Zamaera. “Coming back to lead Malaysia’s first-ever stage is deeply personal. This isn’t just about me performing, but about creating space for our voices and stories to exist confidently on a global platform. I want the world to experience the power and diversity of Malaysian music, and to discover the richness of our own culture, like in Ikan Kekek.”

It’s not just a setlist. It’s a cultural arrival.

Why SXSW Matters

Founded in Austin, Texas, SXSW is one of the world’s most recognised festivals celebrating the convergence of music, film, technology, and culture.

Since 1987, it has launched careers and amplified emerging talent, with names like John Mayer, James Blunt, Coldplay, and Amy Winehouse once counted among its discoveries.

To be on that stage is to be seen.

To build a Malaysian stage within it is something else entirely.

From Breakout Debut to Cultural Bridge

After her breakout SXSW debut in 2025, Zamaera’s momentum didn’t slow. She embarked on a nationwide tour across Malaysia, followed by an extensive Asian run under her Epiphany tour, performing to sold-out rooms and expanding her presence across regional markets.

Her growing international footprint has opened doors to collaborations and recognition, including engagements with global producers and music institutions such as Berklee College of Music.

The result is an artist not only performing for audiences, but actively shaping a bridge between Malaysia and the wider global music ecosystem.

Malaysia Is Taking the Stage

The Malaysian Stage by Zamaera represents more than a debut.

It signals Malaysia’s creative future, driven by a new generation of independent artists claiming space through originality, cultural pride, and ambition.

This isn’t just a return to SXSW.

It’s Malaysia stepping into the spotlight.

And this time, the world is watching.