ABANGSAPAU / Charlie Lim: Boyhood
Image credit: Hans Goh
Singaporean conscious rapper ABANGSAPAU has linked up with esteemed singer-songwriter Charlie Lim for “Boyhood”, a deeply personal number that serves as the Def Jam SEA wordsmith’s latest single.
Dedicated to his late father, Sapau chronicles his regrets, doubts, and struggles since his father’s passing. “I wish life had an undo button, wish I knew my father / The more I live my life, the more I realise I’m like him,” he raps, over laid-back, introspective beats. On the other hand, Lim contributes a hauntingly beautiful interlude, in addition to lush harmonies and backing vocals throughout the track.
“Boyhood” features production from San Bernardino-based producer Nabeyin, who has worked with the likes of Kanye West, Isaiah Rashad, and The Game. Citing his love for the producer’s work on Reason and Westside Boogie’s albums, Sapau decided to reach out to Nabeyin during a trip to the United States. Sapau’s longtime collaborator and Allure Records producer Prodbydan also worked on the track’s beat, while Harist Sunil (of indie rock outfit Saints Amongst Sinners) contributed additional instrumentation.
Fittingly, the duo also dropped an accompanying visual for the track. Directed by Daryl Eng Jun, the video was fittingly filmed at the rapper’s teenage alma mater of Mayflower Secondary School. The team even received help on set from Sapau's former discipline master Mr Vick, who had brought him out for a caning in the very same venue many years ago.
Read our previous interview with ABANGSAPAU here.
Follow ABANGSAPAU on Instagram, and watch the video for “Boyhood” below: