Facts about Yuna
Malaysia has no shortage of talents. From world-class athletes like Nicol David to Hollywood stars like Michelle Yeoh, the amount of gifted individuals who have helped put our country on the map is certainly impressive. Among these luminaries is none other than Yuna, who is breaking boundaries and leaving her indelible mark on the local and international music scene with her pop hits.
To celebrate her artistic talent, here are 8 interesting things to know about the Kedah-born songstress
1. Yuna was born in the rice bowl of Malaysia
Image credit: Yuna via Facebook
Yunalis binti Mat Zara’ai, more popularly known by her stage name Yuna, was born in Alor Setar, Kedah, the picturesque rice bowl of Malaysia. Her father, Dato’ Mat Zara’ai, holds the esteemed position of legal advisor in Pahang while her mother is a dedicated high school teacher. Thanks to their unwavering support and love for music, Yuna developed a passion for singing and songwriting from a very young age.
In an interview with US magazine, Tidal, she recalled how her dad loved playing the guitar and her mum the piano when she was a young girl. Her love for music only grew as she moved between states in her youth, getting exposed to various genres like 90s Malay pop rock and rock kapak when her family called the town of Perlis their home, and R&B and local hip-hop while living in Kuala Lumpur. She began picking up the pen and writing her own music at 14 years old.
2. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies
With how good she is at singing and songwriting, it might be surprising to some to find out that Yuna once pursued a career as a lawyer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from local university Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). But her pursuit to become a notable lawyer like her dad took an unexpected turn.
When her music career began to gain traction locally, Yuna found herself at a crossroads, torn between her passion for music and following her father’s path. She made the life-changing decision to pursue her musical dreams – a choice that proved to be worth the risk after all.
In a chat with Interview Magazine, the homegrown songstress shared that her initial goal was to leave Malaysia since no one had ever done that before. But her dream was not met without naysayers, as she had people telling her that she was “crazy”. She didn’t give up as her life motto is “don’t believe what they’re saying”. And it paid off in the end.
2. She had her career breakthrough on MySpace
Image credit: Yuna via Facebook
In 2006, Yuna began uploading her self-written songs and song covers to MySpace. For the uninitiated, this social media platform was once a breeding ground for emerging artists from all parts of the world. Her songs quickly caught the attention of listeners, propelling her to the forefront of Malaysia’s music scene.
During a conversation with Interview Magazine, Yuna mentioned that her elimination during the audition for the reality show Malaysian Idol prompted her to upload her music to MySpace. In less than six months, the songstress shared a proud feat: She had achieved a million views.
4. She released her debut EP under her own record label
Bolstered by the unwavering love and support of her growing fanbase, Yuna took a bold step forward and independently released her debut self-titled EP, Yuna, in 2008. The EP, which hit the music scene in October, was launched under her own record label Yuna Room Records.
With the attention on her much-loved title tracks such as Deeper Conversations and Backpacking Around Europe, her musical prowess captivated hearts far and wide, propelling it to win four coveted trophies at the 17th Music Industry Awards.
Songs off her EP scooped up accolades for Best Song and Best Pop Song, firmly cementing her place as a powerhouse in the music industry. She was also honoured with the prestigious Best New Artist Trophy.
5. She went global with her 2011 record deal with FADER Label
Image credit: Yuna via Facebook
Yuna’s stardom reached dazzling new heights in 2011 when she inked a deal with the esteemed Indie record label, FADER Label. It marked her grand entrance onto the international stage. Her US debut single, Live Your Life, released back in 2008 and featuring US hitmaker Pharrell Williams, caught the attention of a global audience.
Chatting with Vogue SG, she shared her excitement about collaborating with the talented producer and singer. As one of the first Malaysians to step foot into Pharrell’s studio, she knew she had to bring her A-game and craft something truly remarkable.
In 2016, Yuna continued her triumphant journey with the release of her third studio album, Chapters. This masterpiece featured collaborations with prominent artists, including the chart-topping track Crush with American singer, Usher.
The song proved to be an instant hit, peaking at an impressive No.3 on the US Adult R&B Billboard chart. The song also helped Yuna secure her first RIAA-certified gold song, amassing an impressive 500,000 copies sold within just three years of its release.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Yuna made her mark again in 2019 with the release of her album Rouge. The album featured another list of high-profile collaborations, with one standout being Castaway, featuring the enigmatic rapper Tyler, The Creator.
6. Her songs graced the big screens
Yuna’s music has not only captured the hearts of music lovers around the world, but has also found its way into the magical world of Hollywood.
Lights and Camera, in particular, was part of the soundtrack for Sofia Coppola’s film, The Bling Ring (2013). Crush also makes a memorable appearance in the comedy film Life of the Party (2018). And let’s not forget the iconic rom-com To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021), where Yuna’s enchanting song, Intuition, steals the spotlight.
7. She launched a fashion line November Culture in 2014
Image credit: Yuna via Facebook
Besides her passion for singing, Yuna also launched a fashion line called November Culture back in 2014. Her business works closely with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to raise awareness for education initiatives.
However, according to Malay Mail, Yuna announced on her official Instagram in 2018 that November Culture will no longer be in operation. Nevertheless, her fashion expression continues to shine as she has collaborated with Boston-based clothing line Lisn Up, releasing a limited-edition Places To Go streetwear collection named after one of her songs.
8. She is signed as a model at a top modeling agency
In the world of fashion, Yuna also shines as a model. She was signed with Wilhelmina Models back in 2019, which is a top modeling agency that has also signed on known musicians such as Shawn Mendes and Nicki Minaj.
Interesting facts about Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna
Malaysia’s artistic brilliance has made it to the global stage, proudly showcasing a treasure trove of local talents – one of them is Malaysia’s very own sensation, Yuna. As we bask in the radiance of her musical brilliance, let us draw inspiration from her story and embrace the same tenacity and fearlessness in our pursuits.
To read more about our local talents, check out 10 Facts about Lee Zii Jia and our interview with Datuk Ramli Ibrahim
Cover image adapted from: Yuna via Facebook