Quick Facts
Libra
Biography
Too Phat was a Malaysian hip-hop duo, composed of rappers Joe Flizzow (born Johan Ishak in Kuala Lumpur; 16 October 1979) and Malique (born Malique Ibrahim in Johor Bahru; 21 August 1977).
Career
In the late 1990s Joe Flizzow,Malique Ibrahim and Kevin Felix@Doctah'K at that time formed a musical trio who later became a duo under the Positive Tone 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 whuttadilly?. So far, Plan B has sold over 4,500,000 copies, earning double platinum status in Malaysia.
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. Too Phat have also collaborated with American hip hop artist Warren G.
In 2010, 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.
Solo career
The respective Phat boys started to venture in their solo career after their last public performance for Kanye West in 2007. Malique with his solo album OK (2008), K.O The Mixtape ( a collaboration with DJ Fuzz -2009) and TKO: Pejamkan Mataunder his own label named Qarma Musiq. Rumours going around between rappers and fans said that Malique will release a new English album in 2017, but until now (2019) no news regarding the album.
Joe Flizzow releases his first solo album President on 31 December 2008 under Warner Music Malaysia as the distributor and Havoc on 7 November 2013.
Aku Tanya Apa Khabar
During 2015 Anugerah Juara Lagu Award (AJL) the song Apa Khabar by Joe Flizzow (feat. SonaOne) had win top prize on that night. The song lyric talked about Joe reminiscing the memory that he had with Malique and he saying hello to him. Despite receiving mix criticism by the masses. one side were booing due to the fact that the hip hop/R&B song winning the top prize which is not a very popular genres among Malaysian themselves while on that night while the other side is the long time fan of Too Phat that praise Joe for making them reminiscing to their nostalgic memories.
Recent developments
As of 2016 Joe Flizzow project mostly involved with Kartel Records, a record label that he had founded in 2005. Numerous local and R&B artist had signed under his label with notable names like Altimet and SonaOne.
As for Malique, he has become more private after the days with Too Phat. Despite releasing numerous top hit collaboration track with other local artist such as Mantera Beradu (feat. M Nasir -2008), Senyum (feat. Najwa -2010) Aku Maafkan Kamu ( feat. Jamal Abdilah -2011), Teman Pengganti (feat. Black -2012) Malique seems to not appear in public or do any show. In an interview in 2011, Malique was quoted that being able to sell his product without having public appearance make him feel more comfortable and he does not intend to change that.
As of December 2016, it is announced that his new solo album may be out with the title TKO in 2016 under his own label Qarma Music. Malique intends to release an English album in 2017.
Discography
Albums
- Studio albums
- 1999: Whuttadilly
- 2001: Plan B
- 2002: 360°
- 2005: Rebirth into Reality
Singles
- Li'l Fingaz
- Too Phat Baby
- Jezzebelle
- Anak Ayam
- Tell Shorty (feat. Ruffedge & V.E.)
- Just A Friend (feat. V.E.)
- You (feat. Sharifah Aini)
- Ala Canggung (feat. Lil' Marissa)
- Where My Love At
- Just A Li'l Bit (feat. Warren G)
- Alhamdulilah (feat. Yasin, Ahli Fiqir & Dian Sastrowardoyo)
- Dua Dunia (feat. Siti Nurhaliza)
- Snap
- KL
- Showtime
- How Me Seksi (feat. Inul Daratista)
- 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)
- One Night Lover (Rossa ft. Joe Flizzow) - 2012
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 2002, 2004 and 2005
- HP Inter-Action (five countries, five club realtime podcast 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
