Malaysian singer JessC has been steadily expanding her presence on the international music scene through her Raya-themed songs in recent years. Most recently, her collaboration with Malaysian multi-talented artist and award-winning lyricist Dato’ AC Mizal on the 2026 Hari Raya song Mari Menari Raya earned a Platinum Award at the LIT Music Awards, making it one of the few Malay festive songs to break into the international awards circuit.
Her previous Raya track, Satu Suara Raya, was also shortlisted for the “Best Asian Pop” category at the American InterContinental Music Awards (ICMA). Speaking to the media during a “Raya Open House × ICMA & LIT Music Awards Celebration” event, JessC shared that these internationally recognized works were never created with the intention of chasing the global market, but rather from a sincere desire to represent local culture authentically.
“I never imagined that a Hari Raya song could be heard, accepted, and even loved by audiences in countries so far away. It made me truly believe that music can transcend cultures. This is not just a personal achievement — it feels like a moment where Malaysian culture is being heard by the world.”
JessC also made her first public appearance showcasing her international awards, with over 300 fans and guests attending the celebration to witness her milestone achievements on the global music stage.
Four Award-Winning Songs in Three Languages
Beyond her success with Raya music, JessC also delivered an outstanding performance at the LIT Music Awards by winning accolades for four songs across three different languages — an impressive achievement rarely seen among regional artists.
Her award-winning songs included the Platinum-winning Malay tracks Mari Menari Raya and Expose, the Chinese song My Style, and the English single One Chance, which received a Gold Award. One Chance also earned her the “Best New Artist” title.
JessC expressed special gratitude to her production team and backstage crew, as well as to Yuan Pei, who had introduced her to two producers that helped shape two of her Mandarin albums and guided her toward finding a clearer artistic direction. She also thanked her family for their unwavering support throughout her journey.
Reflecting on her career experiences, she shared:
“You must treasure your own feathers and not do things recklessly.”
Learning from the Past, Looking Toward the Future
When asked whether she would consider producing another Chinese New Year song in the future, JessC laughed and admitted she was “a little afraid.” She revealed that years ago, she released Wu New Year, a project that combined Chinese martial arts elements with festive music. However, she felt that the production focused too heavily on visuals and martial arts presentation while overlooking the music itself.
“That experience taught me that music must always come first.”
She added that if she were to create similar works again, she would place far greater emphasis on musical quality, aiming to produce songs that are emotionally moving and timeless.
Currently, JessC is busy preparing for the Chinese cultural showcase Echoes of Artistry. Besides pop and festive music, she hopes to explore more culturally rooted creations in the future, including music infused with elements of traditional Chinese opera.
“I hope to start from Malaysia and slowly bring these cultural elements to the world.”
Source: Kwong Wah Yit Poh
