With ‘Baseball Bat’, singer Iman Fandi hopes to score a home run

Daughter of football coach Fandi Ahmad, this S’porean star’s new single encourages listeners to make the most of tough circumstances.

PETALING JAYA: Ever had one of those days when everything seems to go wrong? Well, don’t just wallow in sorrow! As the chorus of Singaporean singer Iman Fandi’s “Baseball Bat” goes: “When life sucks, make you feel so bad, hit it right back like a baseball bat.”

The 23-year old singer and model’s new single sees her embracing a character, a girl who has many annoying things happen to her throughout her day, but discovers that when life gets her down, she can rise up and grow stronger.

“It’s a bit of a jump from what I normally do. If you look at the cover art, it’s very edgy, very different from who I normally am,” Iman said with a laugh during her visit to Kuala Lumpur recently.

Expounding on her song, she told FMT Lifestyle: “People go through many things that annoy them, but this can make them stronger than they think. I saw this as an empowering message, but I also put a little fun take on the song, gave it a quirky, rebellious feel.”

Being in the spotlight is in Iman’s blood: her father is Singaporean professional football manager and former player Fandi Ahmad, currently the head coach of Malaysia Super League club Sri Pahang. Her mother is South African-born former model Wendy Jacobs.

The young ex-athlete and dancer, however, is forging her own path through music, which she has always been passionate about.

Iman’s father, former Singapore football player and current Sri Pahang FC coach Fandi Ahmad. (Wikipedia pic)

In person, Iman is candid and eloquent, sharing anecdotes such as how she was exposed to diverse songs and rhythms during big family gatherings in Cape Town, South Africa.

“There was always music around me; being in a big family, I was introduced to so many kinds of music. My dad loved Eminem and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. My brothers loved hip-hop and reggaeton, and my mum loved soulful, sultry music.

“Also, being a dancer, I enjoyed the feeling music gave me. I was writing songs of my own when I was younger and making voice notes,” said the only girl of five children.

Before she turned 20, Iman – who names Rihanna, Zara Larsson and Tate McRae as major influences – made a birthday resolution to break into the music business. Her first song, “Timeframe”, was recorded and produced shortly thereafter; and hit singles such as “Love Me Little More”, “Want”, and “Top Bop” soon followed.

She considers her biggest break to be when she performed at the Singapore National Day Parade on Aug 9, during which she serenaded huge crowds with a spirited rendition of the tune “Bunga Sayang”.

“I’ve been watching the parades since I was 11 or 12, so getting to perform in them was surreal,” she recalled. “It was super nerve-wracking, but it was also an opportunity to prove to myself that I could do something like this.”

The singer, who is signed with Universal Music Singapore, is now working on her debut album, which she hopes to release in the New Year. No small feat, especially for someone who considers herself shy!

I started working when I was about 14 and, being surrounded by adults all the time, I had to grow up quite quickly. The nerves will always be there, especially when I work on something new, but I feel everything always works out.

Also on the cards in 2024? Spending more time with her fans in Malaysia, something Iman is looking forward to!

In the meantime, when she isn’t performing, Iman enjoys everyday activities like playing video games, going for walks, and spending time with her cats Tingly, Wingly and Rome. Cute, kan?

So, what advice does she have for aspiring performers? Go for it, and remember to have fun.

“Don’t be afraid to take the risk. In this age of social media, people’s opinions can come from anywhere. But try to tune out the negative noise and give it your best shot,” she concluded.