Joe Flizzow

With the release of his 2009 solo debut, Joe Flizzow gave himself a new title: President. It’s not an empty brag—as one half of early ‘00s duo Too Phat, Flizzow (born Johan bin Ishak in 1979) lifted Malaysian hip-hop to new levels. He then ascended to true domination by founding his own Kartel Records, and then managing Def Jam South East Asia—enabling the rap premier to mentor a new generation of talent. His surprisingly political 2020 single “KUASA” reminds us that while no one man should have all the power, Flizzow has certainly earned his.