MALAYSIAN hip hop icon Malique stunned fans after sharing what appears to be the first-ever photo of himself on his Instagram account, even though the image is 17 years old.
The post quickly became a talking point among Malaysian netizens, many of whom were thrilled to see a rare glimpse of the elusive artist.
Instagram user @meorhaqimy commented, “Even though it is an old photo, this could be the first time Malique has posted one showing his face.”
Another user, @sor.ceo, said, “It will not be long now, one day he will definitely post a current photo of himself.”
Meanwhile, @azraeimuhamad sarcastically joked, “Probably, this means in 2040 we will only get to see his 2025 photo.”
The 47-year-old, whose real name is Malik Ibrahim, was born on Aug 21, 1977, at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru, Johor and is best known as one half of the legendary duo Too Phat alongside Joe Flizzow.
Since the group disbanded in 2007, Malique has largely kept out of the public eye, avoiding print and electronic media entirely.
For years, his Instagram feed featured only random images and pictures of other people, but never his own face.
That changed four days ago, when he surprised his followers by posting a picture from Aug 8, 2008, the day he married TV personality Melissa Maureen Rizal in a private ceremony in Bali, Indonesia.
The couple now have four children: Inca Medina Malique, Rumi Arjuna Malique, Chasca Maya Malique and Ezra Aditya Malique.
Melissa, born on March 3, 1980, is a former actress and model of Pakistani, Chinese and Malay heritage.
She is best known for her work in local TV series, films, commercials and stage plays, including Realiti and Gol & Gincu.
For fans who have long regarded Malique as a pioneer and icon of the Malaysian hip hop scene, the post was more than just a nostalgic throwback.
It was a rare moment of connection with an artist who has chosen to remain in the shadows for nearly two decades.