Photo Courtesy of Yokez
Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Yokez, a rising star on the Mandopop scene. Known for her soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, Yokez has quickly gained a dedicated following. We’ll be discussing her musical journey, creative process, and future aspirations.
Your 2018 debut EP was entirely self-penned and achieved over 1.5 million Spotify streams. What drove you to take a DIY approach, and how did you navigate the challenges of independent production?
A producer approached me to collaborate, and at that time, I had already written a few songs – so I decided to go for it. He linked me up with a distributor, which kind of kickstarted everything.
But I was still an independent artist, so I had to handle everything myself, from planning and coordination to promotion. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me how to be resourceful and take full ownership of my music journey.
The track “你的出现” went viral in Malaysia. Did its success surprise you? How did that moment shape your confidence as a songwriter?
I was really surprised! It was one of my first few releases, and I didn’t expect it to take off like that. But knowing that people connected with something I wrote gave me the strength to keep going. It was a sign that my music could speak to others, and that meant everything to me as a new songwriter.
As a vocal powerhouse, how do you balance technical skill with emotional storytelling in your music?
I’m an INFP, so I naturally write based on my feelings and personal experiences. If a song needs big, belty parts, they usually come out on their own. But not every song has to be vocally intense – some of my favourites are actually the simpler, more stripped-down ones. I just try to follow the emotion and let the vocals serve the story.
Performing at Chingay Festival’s 50th anniversary in 2022 was a nationwide broadcast. What did this milestone mean for you as a Singaporean artist?
It was surreal. It was the biggest stage I had stood on at that point, and I still remember the adrenaline and endorphins rushing through me while I was performing. It reminded me of how far I’ve come – and how much more I want to do for Singapore’s music scene.
Looking ahead, one of my biggest dreams is to perform at the National Day Parade. As a Singaporean, it would be an incredible honour to contribute to a celebration that holds so much meaning for all of us.
How did preparing for a large-scale event like Chingay differ from your usual performances? Were there any unforgettable moments from that night?
Preparing for a large-scale event like Chingay was really different because I had to rehearse with so many performers. Being one of the finale acts, I felt a lot of pressure – everyone was watching, and I wanted to do well.
But the satisfaction after the performance was overwhelming.
And it was definitely an unforgettable night… because I actually went to the A&E right after! I had been feeling unwell for months – shortness of breath, anxiety – and even went to the GP a day before the show for chest pain.
He told me to go to the A&E immediately, but I told him, “I have to perform tomorrow.” So I pushed through the show, then rushed to the hospital right after and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. What a whirlwind! Thankfully, the team knew about my condition and took great care of me. Looking back, I was really lucky – and I definitely don’t recommend others try that!
In 2023, you became the ambassador for SG:SW, Singapore’s premier Mandopop songwriting festival. What does this role mean to you, and how do you hope to inspire the next generation of songwriters?
I actually joined SG:SW as a participant for four years in a row, and I finally won the “Best Melody” award with《祝福你的歌》, which I co-wrote with my friends Joleen Quek and Ong Zong Yu. I think I’m a great example of persistence – I just kept going until I made it, and eventually became the ambassador. Even now, I continue to be involved in the festival as a performer or guest because I really believe in its vision. I hope my journey can inspire others to keep showing up and growing, even when the results aren’t immediate.
Your EP Hello, Sunshine dropped the same year. How does this project reflect your evolution since your 2018 debut?
I worked on the EP shortly after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. At the time, I wasn’t in a good place, and nothing I wrote resonated with me. After my first release, my then-label gave me the space to take a break and focus on my mental health.
I took about six months to rest and reset – and when I returned, the songs naturally reflected my healing process. The last track on the EP, 《天晴预告》, captures that perfectly.
It’s a reminder that it’s okay not to be okay- because even when your world feels covered in clouds, the sunlight will eventually break through. That’s the spirit I carried into this project: gentle, hopeful, and learning to be kind to myself.
You’ve performed in Indonesia and China, including representing Singapore at the 2024 Nanning International Folk Song Festival. How do you approach blending your Singaporean identity with global Mandopop audiences?
As a Singaporean, I feel really blessed to be bilingual – and that naturally shows in my songs, where I sometimes mix Mandarin with English. Our multicultural background gives me a unique lens, and I try to bring that into my music while staying relatable to global Mandopop listeners.
Sometimes when I perform overseas, I even introduce audiences to Singlish – and they always find it funny and refreshing! It’s a fun way to share a part of where I come from, and I love that music gives me the space to do that.
What cultural insights have you gained from performing abroad, and how do they influence your music?
It’s not just from performing – I’ve also been travelling overseas to co-write with songwriters from different backgrounds. Being exposed to various styles, genres, and creative approaches has really broadened my horizons.
It’s helped me step out of my comfort zone and experiment more in my own music, while still staying true to my identity and storytelling style.
2025 is a major nod to your growing influence. How do you plan to leverage this platform to amplify your voice regionally and globally?
I’m really grateful for the opportunity, and I hope to use it to spread Mandopop to the world. I want to show that Mandarin music can be fresh, relatable, and emotionally powerful – even to listeners who might not fully understand the language. With Spotify RADAR’s support, I plan to reach new audiences, and I’m also actively collaborating with overseas artists to blend different cultures and sounds. I believe music is a universal language, and I want to be part of bridging those worlds.
Looking ahead, what uncharted creative territories or collaborations are you eager to explore?
I’d love to explore different languages and genres beyond Mandopop – maybe something totally unexpected, like a rock song! I’m also really interested in collaborating with artists outside the Mandopop scene to see what kind of fresh chemistry and sound we can create together. Stepping out of my comfort zone creatively is something I’m really excited about.
With your journey from DIY artist to international performer, what advice would you give to someone starting their music career today?
I started from nothing – I had to convince my parents that doing music was the right choice, and I joined so many competitions without winning. But I just kept going. I’m proof that if you don’t give up, things will happen.
Like what my new song “Not Afraid” advocates – don’t stop just because there are obstacles. As long as you keep moving, you haven’t failed. What matters is showing up and trying. It’s better to fail trying, than to not try at all.
Are you ready to conquer your fears? Yokez’s new single, “Not Afraid,” is here to inspire you. Click here
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