Too Phat
Encyclopedia
Too Phat is a Malaysian hip-hop
duo, consisting of Joe Flizzow (born Johan Ishak in Kuala Lumpur
, 16 October 1979, aka The President) and Malique Ibrahim (born in Johore Bahru, 21 August 1977, aka The General).
label. Their first big break came in 1999 when their first singles, Li'l Fingaz and Too Phat Baby entered normal rotation on local radio.
On the back of the success of these first singles, work soon began on an album entitled Plan B. So far, Plan B has sold over 45,000 copies, earning double platinum status in Malaysia. Cashing in on the duo's fame, recording label Positive Tone, a subsidiary of EMI International, produced a re-issue of Plan B entitled Plan B Platinum Edition, including two new songs, "Clap to This" and "Last Song". Song lyrics were also included in the Platinum Edition and all albums and singles thereafter.
The music video for a track from Plan B, "Just a Friend", was produced in collaboration with Maxis Hotlink and debuted on Malaysian television channel ntv7
. The video features cameo appearances from local artistes M. Nasir
, Fauziah Latiff
and Ferhad, and Malaysian track and field
athlete Watson Nyambek
. Most of the scenes were shot locally, in the city of Kuala Lumpur. The group controversially used their video to confront issues regarding homosexuality, addressing a topic which is usually avoided in conservative Malaysia. "Just a Friend" became the first music video produced by a local music act to be shown on national television. Too Phat have also collaborated with American hip hop artist Warren G
.
In 2005, they produced their latest album Rebirth Into Reality featuring various hip-hop artists from East Asia. The album's first single Dua Dunia features award winning Malaysian singer Siti Nurhaliza
.
After their album Rebirth into Reality, the duo announced of their intention to explore their musical tastes as solo artists.
Joe Flizzow released his first solo album, The President, in December 2008. The album features hip hop legend KRS-One
. Malique is now married with Melissa Maureen, and has recently released his solo album, OK
.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
duo, consisting of Joe Flizzow (born Johan Ishak in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, 16 October 1979, aka The President) and Malique Ibrahim (born in Johore Bahru, 21 August 1977, aka The General).
Career
In the late 1990s Joe Flizzow and Malique Ibrahim formed a musical duo under the Positive TonePositive Tone
Positive Tone is a Malaysian music production house and it is a subsidiary of EMI Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Some of the company's famous act includes Too Phat, Poetic Ammo, Juliet the Orange, Red Hot Reiner Peppers and Innuendo. The current Managing Director is Darren Choy....
label. Their first big break came in 1999 when their first singles, Li'l Fingaz and Too Phat Baby entered normal rotation on local radio.
On the back of the success of these first singles, work soon began on an album entitled Plan B. So far, Plan B has sold over 45,000 copies, earning double platinum status in Malaysia. Cashing in on the duo's fame, recording label Positive Tone, a subsidiary of EMI International, produced a re-issue of Plan B entitled Plan B Platinum Edition, including two new songs, "Clap to This" and "Last Song". Song lyrics were also included in the Platinum Edition and all albums and singles thereafter.
The music video for a track from Plan B, "Just a Friend", was produced in collaboration with Maxis Hotlink and debuted on Malaysian television channel ntv7
Ntv7
Natseven TV Sdn Bhd or better known as ntv7 is a terrestrial television channel in Malaysia. It was launched nationwide on 7 April 1998 and was the country's third private free-to-air TV station after TV3 and Astro. Its mission is to promote a happier and more enlightened Malaysia...
. The video features cameo appearances from local artistes M. Nasir
M. Nasir
Mohamad Nasir Mohamad or M. Nasir , is a Malaysian poet, singer-songwriter, composer, producer, actor and film director.-Career:...
, Fauziah Latiff
Fauziah Latiff
Siti Fauziah Sheikh Abdul Latiff is a Malaysian singer and actress. Latiff first appeared to the world performing at a charity concert at Stadium Merdeka in 1987. Talent scouts from Happy Records spotted her and offered her her first recording contract...
and Ferhad, and Malaysian track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athlete Watson Nyambek
Watson Nyambek
Watson Nyambek in Miri, Sarawak) is a Malaysian Sprinter. He attended secondary education in SMK St.Columba.-Personal bests:-External links:...
. Most of the scenes were shot locally, in the city of Kuala Lumpur. The group controversially used their video to confront issues regarding homosexuality, addressing a topic which is usually avoided in conservative Malaysia. "Just a Friend" became the first music video produced by a local music act to be shown on national television. Too Phat have also collaborated with American hip hop artist Warren G
Warren G
Warren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...
.
In 2005, they produced their latest album Rebirth Into Reality featuring various hip-hop artists from East Asia. The album's first single Dua Dunia features award winning Malaysian singer Siti Nurhaliza
Siti Nurhaliza
Dato', or occasionally Datin Seri, Siti Nurhaliza binti Tarudin DIMP, JSM, SAP, PMP, AAP is a Malaysian singer, songwriter, record producer, television presenter and businesswoman. To date, she has garnered more than 200 local awards as well as international awards...
.
Recent developments
The group are now signed to Kartel Records, a label that Joe Flizzow created. The duo launched Phatcaps, a merchandising label for Too Phat, where the first editions of the KL caps was introduced (Baseball style in Black & White, Baseball style in Red & White, Trucker style in camouflage and baby pink only). In 2007, Joe Flizzow re-launched the 'KL cap' under his own label called State Of Mine Caps, by Kartel Clothing with Limited Edition KL caps in black and gold and white and gold combinations.After their album Rebirth into Reality, the duo announced of their intention to explore their musical tastes as solo artists.
Joe Flizzow released his first solo album, The President, in December 2008. The album features hip hop legend KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
. Malique is now married with Melissa Maureen, and has recently released his solo album, OK
Ok (album)
Ok is the debut release of tabla player and music producer Talvin Singh, and it was nine months in the making. The title was chosen because of the universality of the word OK, which can be understood almost anywhere in the world...
.
Albums
- Whuttadilly
- Plan B
- Phat Family
- 360°
- Too Phat: The Classics
- Rebirth Into Reality
- Too Phat Too Furious
- Too Phat : The Greatest Hits
- TBA,2011
Solo albums
- The President, 2008 (Joe Flizzow solo album)
- Ok, 2008 (Malique Ibrahim solo album)
- Malique & Dj Fuzz: K.O The Mixtape, 2009 (Malique Ibrahim solo album)
- TKO:Peace Out, 2011 (Malique Ibrahim's solo album)
- 50", 2011 (Malique Ibrahim's Solo Album)
Singles
- Li'l Fingaz
- Too Phat Baby
- Jezzebelle
- Anak Ayam
- Tell Shorty (feat. Ruffedge & V.E.)
- Just A Friend (feat. V.E.)
- Ala Canggung (feat. Lil' Marissa)
- Where My Love At
- Just A Li'l Bit (feat. Warren GWarren GWarren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...
) - Alhamdulilah (feat. Yasin)
- Dua Dunia (feat. Siti NurhalizaSiti NurhalizaDato', or occasionally Datin Seri, Siti Nurhaliza binti Tarudin DIMP, JSM, SAP, PMP, AAP is a Malaysian singer, songwriter, record producer, television presenter and businesswoman. To date, she has garnered more than 200 local awards as well as international awards...
) - Snap
- KL
- Showtime
- How Me Seksi (feat. Inul DaratistaInul DaratistaInul Daratista is a dangdut singer and performance artist from Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia. Her husband's name is Adam Susilo. She became nationally famous in 2003, and is known for her suggestive style of dancing that has caused major controversy in Indonesia. Inul is a corrupted version of...
) - To The World Cup - 2006
- Feels So Good (Emcee David ft. Joe Flizzow) - 2006
- Jari Jemari (Camillia ft. Joe Flizzow) - 2007
- Get It Done (Air Force Ones featuring Yg Ariff) - 2007
- 1000 Verses (ALI ft. Joe Flizzow)
Awards and achievements
- 2002 Best Engineered Album
- Best Local English Album - Plan B
- 2003 Anugerah Kembara Prestigious Award
- 2004 Best Group In A Vocal Performance in an album - 360°
- Best Local English Album
- 2006 Best Local English Album - Rebirth Into Reality
- Best Album Cover -Rebirth Into Reality
- ERA Radio Awards Anugerah ERA
- 2001 Choice Local English Artiste
- 2002 Choice Local English Artiste
- 2003 Choice Local English Artiste
- 2004 Choice Local English Artiste
- Nominee MTV Asia Awards 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005
- HP Inter-Action (five countries, five club realtime pod cast concert) 2006 – Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong.
- Owner of State of Mine Caps (KL caps)
- Kanye West -Touch The Sky Tour, Malaysia, 2006 (Opening act)
- Recharge Revelation - Global Gathering, A Famosa, 2007
- Quiksilver 2.0 Revolution Tour, Kuala Lumpur & Bali, 2007
- Bacardi Mix and Match Tour, China, 2008
- Sunburst KL, 2008