LAUNCHPAD Unveiled in Malaysia, Bringing Emerging Artists Closer to Southeast Asia Audiences

Fast Track Entertainment (FTE), together with co-brand partner Sony Music Malaysia, officially unveiled LAUNCHPAD, a new artist growth platform designed to accelerate the regional journey of emerging artists through intimate live showcase experiences. 

Held at PJ Performing Arts Centre, the exclusive media launch brought together artists, media representatives, industry partners and music enthusiasts for a special showcase featuring performances by KIIRAS, a six-member global K-pop girl group from South Korea; UPRIZE, a seven-member boy group from Vietnam; and Yusry Abdul Halim, a Malaysian singer, actor, director, composer and producer under Sony Music Malaysia. 

The launch highlighted LAUNCHPAD’s vision of creating meaningful connections between artists and audiences across Southeast Asia, while opening new opportunities through media exposure, brand partnerships, original digital content and regional collaborations.

KIIRAS Brings K-pop Energy with New Release “Ta Ta” 

Bringing their vibrant global K-pop charm to the stage, KIIRAS captivated the audience with performances of their powerful tracks “KILL MY BO$$” and “Bang Bang”, before unveiling their newly released song “Ta Ta” during the showcase. 

Known for their energetic performances and strong international appeal, the six-member group showcased their unique style and performance skills, further strengthening their connection with Malaysian fans. Adding a special local touch to their Malaysia visit, KIIRAS shared their excitement about exploring more of the country. 

Homegrown talent Ling Ling even expressed her wish to bring her members on a road trip to Penang, where they could experience Malaysian culture and try the beloved local snack Apam Balik together. 

UPRIZE Showcases Vietnam’s Rising Global Potential 

Representing Vietnam’s growing music scene, UPRIZE delivered an exciting performance that introduced their dynamic sound and youthful energy to Malaysian audiences. As a newly debuted seven-member boy group, UPRIZE continues to expand their presence internationally, connecting with fans beyond Vietnam through music, performance and cross-border collaborations. 

Yusry Abdul Halim Celebrates Malaysian Musical Excellence 

Adding a homegrown highlight to the showcase, Yusry Abdul Halim brought his extensive creative experience and musical artistry to the LAUNCHPAD stage. With a career spanning music, acting, directing, composing and producing, Yusry continues to be recognised as one of Malaysia’s influential creative figures, representing the diversity and talent within the local entertainment industry. 

LAUNCHPAD: A New Platform for Regional Artist Growth 

Built around a series of intimate live showcase experiences, LAUNCHPAD aims to support emerging artists by connecting them directly with audiences, media, brands and industry partners throughout Southeast Asia. 

The platform was created to address challenges faced by rising artists when expanding beyond their home markets, including limited regional media access, fragmented industry connections and fewer opportunities for local partnerships. Through live showcases, original digital content, regional media exposure and brand collaborations, LAUNCHPAD provides artists with a pathway to build stronger regional visibility and unlock new commercial opportunities while supporting their long-term development. 

The Kuala Lumpur launch served as a preview of how LAUNCHPAD will bring together artists, audiences, media and industry partners through curated showcase experiences. Following its official unveiling, LAUNCHPAD is set to roll out showcase editions across Southeast Asia from late 2026 through early 2027, with each edition featuring live performances, media engagement, original content, brand partnerships and audience experiences. 

With LAUNCHPAD, FTE and Sony Music Malaysia aim to create a stronger regional ecosystem where emerging talents can discover new audiences, build meaningful connections and take their next steps toward becoming global artists.