She describes 'Angkat' as her most authentic work as of now. Photo: Mimifly/Instagram
Singer Mimifly spent just about an hour learning sign language for the music video of her latest song, Angkat.
To her surprise, the effort paid off, as the sign language movements, integrated into the choreography, have sparked a social media sensation.
In addition to its unique and rarely highlighted concept, the song captivated audiences as the artiste, Shamimi Amalina Norhisham, watched in awe as a 12-second rap section went viral.
This segment quickly became a favourite among netizens, serving as background music for social media content and fuelling the popularity of the #AngkatSLChallenge hashtag on TikTok.
"The idea to include sign language came to me at the last minute and happened entirely spontaneously. It began when I saw some of my yoga students communicating in sign language at a restaurant, and I asked them what they were doing.
"They told me they had an upcoming sign language test. As I watched them while eating, I couldn’t stop admiring the beauty of sign language and imagining how it could be incorporated into choreography," she said when met after the Show Buzz programme by Bernama Radio.
The 39-year-old added that she immediately contacted the teacher, who is also deaf and mute, to help translate the song lyrics into sign language.
Explaining the meaning behind the song's lyrics, which garnered 1.5 million views on YouTube within just three weeks of its release, Mimifly shared that they were inspired by her personal experiences and serve as a "response" to the negative criticisms she often faces.
"I imagine myself talking directly to the people who badmouth me. In the second verse, I add a touch of sarcasm to tease them. Honestly, it's like saying, ‘Oh, come on.’ I wanted the lyrics to feel raw and heartfelt, not preachy.’
"I've been creating music since I entered the industry, but I believe Angkat is my most authentic work yet. Perhaps that's why it resonates with listeners-it comes straight from the heart. My only aim is to be as honest and genuine as possible about my feelings," she said.
Meanwhile, Mimifly shared some exciting news, noting that she is currently working hard on a festive song for this Syawal, which she hopes will delight her fans.
"I have more songs on the way. The next one will be a follow-up to Angkat, InsyaAllah, so please pray for me. For now, I'm focusing on a Raya song because it's the festive season, and I want to keep the celebratory mood going," she added. – Bernama
