Malaysian rapper Namewee announces his ‘death’ on April Fool’s Day

Two minutes after midnight on April 1, a black-and-white photo of the 40-year-old was uploaded to social media with the phrase '1983 - 2024'. Photos: Namewee/Instagram

Controversial Malaysian rapper-actor Namewee is believed to have faked his “death” on April Fool’s Day.

Two minutes after midnight on April 1, a black-and-white photo of the 40-year-old was uploaded to social media with the phrase “1983 - 2024”. His Wikipedia page was also updated to say that he “died” on March 29.

An “obituary” was posted at 4.52am, which referred to the star as a “ghosician”, the name of his 2021 album.

According to this “obituary”, a “wake” will be held from 2 to 10pm, and a “farewell ceremony” from 8 to 10pm that same day.

The location for both events was given as Nirvana Center Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, billed as Asia’s first integrated memorial centre. It is a facility under Nirvana Asia Group, which confirmed to Malaysian media that Namewee’s team had reserved the venue for the evening of April 1. The group referred the media to the star’s team or family for further details.

A reporter from Sin Chew Daily sent a message to Namewee’s manager, but did not get a reply. Calls also went unanswered. Oriental Daily News reported that there was no statement issued by Namewee’s team.

The obituary stated that visitors could attend in all-white attire, and that “we respectfully decline all sorts of condolence wreaths, flower stands, money, obituaries and memorial advertisements”. It added that media coverage will not be permitted.

At 2.52pm, another photo was uploaded, showing Namewee’s coffin adorned with flowers and a display of his career highlights.

Some netizens wrote comments such as “Rest in peace” and “His music will live on in his place”.

Others were more sceptical. One wrote on Facebook: “Although I know this is to fool others, it is inauspicious”.

Early Tuesday morning, he posted a photo of him with a guitar at his "wake" and a note in Chinese. At the end of the note, he said to look out for his new work and music video set to be released on April 4, 2024 at 4.44pm or as he surmised, 444444. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network

The artiste shares a new photo on April 2.