Thiri Swe has impressed the stars —now she's hoping to work her magic on audiences. Pic: Lwin Mg Mg

THERE’S a new kid on the hip-hop block and she’s already making a name for herself with hip-hop star and household name Sai Sai.

Thiri Swe is a 23-year-old law school graduate who only started singing in 2005 and has since recorded several songs on compilation albums. Now she’s ready to step out of the shadows to take Myanmar’s top spot as its newest female entertainer.

“She is a gift from God,” gushed Sai Sai. “I never realised how talented she was until I heard her sing.”

The pair met five years ago when Thiri Swe was out with a group of mutual friends and they decided to keep in touch.

“Some time later we discovered that our grandparents were friends,” said Thiri Swe. Their grand-parents are from Shan tribes.

“When Sai Sai heard me sing he said he had this great song that would suit me and after I listened to it, I felt the same way.”

The single, “Phote Lite Phote Lite”, was released last year and quickly became popular.

In 2005 Thiri Swe wrote her first song “There Is Only You For Sure” (Thay Char Pyi Nin Ta Yout Htae), which appeared on Cherry Land’s album My Man (Maung Tote Cherry Myay).

At first, her father U Kyaw Min, a guitarist in the hit 80s rock band Playboy, didn’t approve of her singing.

“He wanted me to concentrate on my studies,” said Thiri Swe. “Now that I have graduated, he’s more comfortable with it.

“I didn’t choose to study law. The only reason I did it was because my father, mother and grandfather are all lawyers.”

U Kyaw Min has plans for her to run the family business, Cupid Furniture Mart, but for now Thiri Swe will continue singing.

Thiri Swe said plans are underway to produce a solo album, which will mainly consist of pop and R&B songs.

“I would prefer to sing soul music but it’s not very popular in Myanmar,” she said. “Also, I don’t really feel like I’m good enough for that sort of music. You need to put a lot of effort into it.”

Her favourite artists include Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Hudson and soul singer Joss Stone.

Although her passion lies in soul, Thiri Swe can’t resist a bit of good pop.
“I went to Christina Aguilera’s concert in Singapore two months ago,” she said. “She’s amazing and I love that she can sing all kinds of different music.”

The release date for Thiri Swe’s debut album not yet known but she hopes to release it by April next year.