Dyan Tai skewers casual racism with ‘Ni Hao,’ talks music industry inclusion

Self-described ‘Gaysian Empress’ Dyan Tai has turned his hyperpop sound on casual racism with their track ‘Ni Hao’.

Loud + Queer contributor Pranati Narayan Visweswaran spoke to Tai about his unique sound and artistry - influenced by their journey coming to Australia from Malaysia.

Quotes in this piece have been edited for clarity.

 

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“I feel like a lot of these stories are so important to understand,” says Tai, who realised he was queer while growing up in a small Malaysian town. “And I’ve wanted to make music and art that is authentic and representative of who I am as an artist since I was little”. 

Tai says they worked hard to pursue this goal. “Being Chinese, I have like a tiger mom who would always push me to study,” they recall, adding being number two wasn’t good enough. “So it’s years of a lot of trauma - wanting to excel in school”. 

It was difficult for Tai to express his authentic queer identity in this environment. “Even though I'm really proud of where I come from and where I grew up,” says Tai, “I wanted to leave Malaysia”. 

Tai was awarded a scholarship to study in Sydney. “It's a hard journey,” they confess, “to move to a western country and sort of adapt”.  

They worked multiple jobs while studying at university and continuing to pursue music. “But it wasn't until, like, maybe 2020, during COVID, when I had the chance to really sit down and think about what kind of music I want to make and how I want to present myself as an artist.” 

Tai produces electronic music with influences from non-western cultures. “I use a lot of traditional Asian, south-east Asian soundscapes,” he says, performing in Chinese operatic makeup to fuse “traditional Chinese opera makeup with cyberpunk makeup”. 

They say the diversity of Australia’s music scene has developed, but it was challenging when they started out. “For many years I used to feel like I'm the only [queer, Asian artist] or one of the very few and didn't feel represented.” 

At one stage, Tai stepped away from the industry – feeling disheartened. “And then I kind of went back into it thinking if people can only remember me as being gay, being Asian, I'll make sure they remember me for it.” 

Now a self-described “Gaysian Empress of Sydney,” Tai released his latest track ‘Ni Hao’ in February. 

“It’s a fun, humorous, tongue-in-cheek take on casual racism,” they explain, “and I feel like that's something that Australia does so well.” 

Tai says they feel like a lot of Australians “just assume” people of south-east Asian descent are Chinese. “I've had so many instances where random strangers come up to me and say 'Ni Hao’ or just random Chinese-sounding characters”. 

"It's really inspired by all those events that happened here,” he says. “And if you're wondering whether or not you can say ‘Ni Hao’ to an Asian person: don't.” 

The track has lyrics in both English and Cantonese, but those aren’t the only languages Tai can speak.  “So I'm trilingual,” they say. “I grew up in Malaysia speaking Chinese and also speak Malay.” 

Tai feels like electronic tracks sound “really cool” when they utilise different languages in production. “And also, I feel like it's it's part of my mission, “he adds. “It sounds like such a huge thing, but I feel like as an artist, I feel like it's my mission.” 

Tai says change in the industry can’t just be led by individuals. “I feel like to be truly inclusive, the music industry needs to have people in the organisation who are diverse, who are people of colour from top down,” he says. “I think it's so important.” 

“I feel like we are getting better, and I can only hope that we can continue raising and championing those artists.” 

Hear 'Ni Hao' where you listen to music and follow @dyan_tai to keep up with Dyan.