Ten years ago, Airliftz, whose real name is Alif Aolani, was just like many other aspiring singers of his age: he recorded song covers and posted them on YouTube for fun. "It was around Justin Bieber's
Baby era," he laughs at the memory. Today, the 24-year-old Kajang native is all grown up
with an EP and a major record deal to his name.
Since signing with RedRecords, a joint venture between AirAsia and Universal Music Group, earlier this year, the self-taught artist and producer has
released two singles—
Not Today and
Honest. He has also collaborated with big brands like Adidas, and performed at several venues from KL to Sarawak, with an upcoming show at Sunbear Festival to cap off an
illustrious 2022.
The morning after his flight down to KL from Penang, where he is now based, Airliftz graces us at a familiar recording studio for our November cover shoot. "Life in Penang has been good," he lets on
with a gracious smile. "I found my community there—a group of people that I can really work with."
He tells us more about his move out of the big city later on in the interview—including how his life flashed before
his eyes at one point—but not before looking back on his decade-long music journey.