Imagine waking up to a message from a global music icon like Chris Brown—something that sounds like pure fantasy, right? But for a talented Malaysian singer named Murty, this dream became reality thanks to a simple, impromptu video he posted out of sheer boredom. Let's dive into the incredible story behind how one late-night Instagram reel skyrocketed a local artist onto the international stage overnight. And trust me, this tale is packed with surprises that might just make you rethink how overnight fame really happens in the digital age.
How Murty’s Spontaneous Instagram Reel Grabbed Chris Brown’s Eye
How Murty’s Spontaneous Instagram Reel Grabbed Chris Brown’s Eye
17-Dec-2025, 07:00
17 Dec 2025, 07:00
A casual late-night video, filmed just for fun, suddenly put this Malaysian vocalist in the spotlight of America's renowned 'King of R&B.'
PETALING JAYA:
N Thatchnamoorthy, better known as Murty, never imagined his casual Instagram reel—a short, looping video reacting to the track 'Mutt' by Grammy-nominated artist Leon Thomas—would lead to a direct shoutout from the legendary Chris Brown. He recorded it late at night, simply out of ennui, not anticipating any major buzz.
This wasn't your standard cover song performance. Instead, Murty offered a thoughtful commentary on the remix of 'Mutt,' where Brown had guest-starred on Thomas's original piece, infusing it with his signature vocal flair. Murty demonstrated both vocal parts himself, effortlessly switching between tones and delivery styles to illustrate how Brown's involvement shifted the song's entire vibe—from its rhythm to its emotional depth, making it feel more energetic and layered.
The video exploded in popularity. Chris Brown himself left a comment, praising Murty's skills. Leon Thomas responded enthusiastically. Other R&B stars like Vedo joined the conversation, along with producers—including someone from Brown's team. Even singer Aloe Blacc started following Murty on social media.
'For a guy living in a modest apartment in Malaysia, this is absolutely staggering,' Murty shared. 'Growing up in my era, you never dared to dream something like this could actually occur.'
Hailing from Balakong, Murty has steadily grown his online fanbase through creative covers, self-penned songs, and music videos infused with humor. But this particular 'Mutt' reel, shot without fancy studio equipment or any promotional push, managed to catch the attention of social media algorithms in a big way.
'It racked up around 1,000 comments, and nearly 900 were just repeating "Chris Brown, Chris Brown, Chris Brown" over and over,' Murty, now 33, recounted. 'Honestly, I figured he'd never spot it—he's got such a packed schedule.'
But he did. Brown's message read: 'YOU CAN SING MY BROTHER,' and it quickly amassed over 65,000 likes.
What happened next was a deluge of opportunities. 'Folks began reaching out: "I represent this record label," "I work for this management firm," "Let's chat." Nothing's finalized yet, but I'm open to exploring these possibilities,' Murty explained.
Murty's journey to this point wasn't without its hurdles. He recalled being dismissed from a primary school musical performance because his singing didn't meet expectations. 'They assigned me "My Grandfather's Clock," and I completely fumbled it,' he admitted. His peers erupted in laughter, which stung but ultimately motivated him. 'That very evening, I made a subconscious vow to practice relentlessly until I improved,' he said.
From about age eight, Murty turned his family's daily evening prayer sessions—where they sang devotional hymns for roughly an hour—into his personal vocal training ground. He practiced blending his voice during these rituals.
Murty didn't dive seriously into music production until 2020, following a devastating motorcycle accident that resulted in the loss of his leg and months of hospitalization. 'I was discharged in December 2019, only for the pandemic to keep me confined at home. With no outings possible, that's when I taught myself production techniques, software skills, and recording basics,' he noted.
Prior to fully committing to music, Murty was employed in logistics alongside his brother, transporting bottled water from a local distributor in Balakong. He also worked as a DJ in various Malaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Ipoh, but the accident brought that chapter to a close.
Music has always been woven into his life, though. Raised on Tamil classics, Murty listened to legendary singers like KJ Yesudas and SP Balasubrahmanyam, naturally harmonizing with them without any formal lessons. 'I had no clue what a musical key was,' he confessed. 'I just sensed how to layer my voice over theirs. Later, I realized that was harmonizing—creating complementary melodies that enhance the original.'
At 14, his elder brother exposed him to R&B pioneers such as Jagged Edge, 112, Aaliyah, and Brandy. Murty didn't compartmentalize music by language; he saw connections everywhere. 'Hearing Brandy, I'd think, this reminds me of SP Bala's style,' he said. This versatile ear for blending genres and mimicking vocal techniques is precisely what captivated viewers in his 'Mutt' reel, allowing him to convincingly portray both artists' styles.
Murty is upfront about his audience demographics. 'Roughly 98% of my listeners tune in via social media platforms,' he stated. Traditional radio support, he added, is sparse. 'They might air your track once or twice for a week or two, then it's forgotten. Eventually, they stop responding altogether.'
As an independent artist, Murty's tracks had garnered about 20,000 Spotify streams before this viral breakthrough. His February single 'Good Guy' gained traction on TikTok for several months, but nothing prepared him for the magnitude of the 'Mutt' phenomenon.
For the time being, Murty continues performing, producing fresh material, and merging music with stand-up comedy—a fusion he believes the local entertainment scene isn't quite ready for. 'Locals tend to think you should keep everything in separate silos,' he observed. 'But take Jamie Foxx, for instance—he's a prime example of how musical comedians thrive abroad. Why shouldn't we embrace that blend here?' To test the waters, he's hosting a paid musical comedy event called 'Gelakan Jiwa' this Saturday at Tong Shin Terrace in Bukit Bintang.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that viral fame like this is just luck, and it doesn't guarantee lasting success. Others could see it as a testament to raw talent shining through social media's unpredictable algorithms. What do you think—does this story inspire you to create more content, or does it highlight how unfair the music industry can be? And this is the part most people miss: In a world where gatekeepers once dominated, could a simple reel bridge the gap between local artists and global stars, democratizing fame forever? We'd love to hear your thoughts—agree or disagree in the comments below!
Follow Murty on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/itsmurtynow/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmurtynow) .
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