MY influencer Agy’s Raya track sparks online uproar over controversial cover

Malaysian influencer Muhammad Affizy Mohd Khairy, better known as Agy, has faced intense backlash following the release of his Raya song LaLa Raya.

Analysis by data intelligence firm Dataxet Malaysia found that 95% of social media sentiment was negative, compared with just 4% positive and 1% neutral. Netizens condemned the track for its poor quality, lack of Raya vibe, early Ramadan timing, and the album cover, which closely resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper - an image many deemed culturally insensitive or disrespectful during the fasting month.

Calls for mass dislikes, reports, boycotts, and celebrations of the eventual takedown quickly spread across platforms. The song’s vocals and concept were widely criticised, described as weak, nasal, overly processed, or simply “syok sendiri” ('Self-absorbed') with many feeling it was far removed from nostalgic festive classics and even ruined the mood for Ramadan.

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Comparisons to figures such as Alif Syukri or to unrelated genres such as zumba or rock appeared frequently, while some social media users jokingly suggested it could repel animals. Phrases such as “paling jijik dan sampah 2026” ('2026's most disgusting and trash') and “takde vibe Raya langsung” ('No Raya vibe at all') dominated the conversation, reflecting deep frustration among listeners.

The controversy was compounded by the song’s visual elements, which mirrored The Last Supper with table layouts and poses reminiscent of the painting’s central figure. This drew anger from those who saw it as disrespectful to Christians and inappropriate during Ramadan, with critics questioning why local Raya symbols were ignored.

Despite the backlash, a small fraction of netizens acknowledged minor redeeming aspects, such as the “Lala Lala” hook or decent music video visuals. A few also speculated that the video’s intent might have been satirical, critiquing social-media obsession, though these voices were largely drowned out, explained Dataxet Malaysia.

The official music video was taken down shortly after release, likely due to reports and backlash, though the lyric video and streaming tracks remained accessible. The song had briefly reached number 12 on Malaysia’s trending music videos chart before the takedown.

Overall, the discourse reflected widespread anger and disappointment, with strong calls for greater cultural awareness in festive content, highlighting the risks influencers face when blending humour, music, and religious imagery in a multi-faith society, said Dataxet Malaysia. 

Checks by A+M revealed that the song is still available on Spotify, but with a different artwork. A new music video has also been reuploaded on YouTube. 

Over the weekend, a media conference was held where Agy apologised and acknowledged his responsibility as a Muslim individual and as a Malaysian citizen. He shared that all necessary actions have been taken, and asserted that he had no intention to insult, provoke, or anger racial and religious communities, especially those of Christian faith. 

In the music video, Agy is seen surrounded by influencers constantly taking pictures and videos of themselves. The cast is also seen frequently changing outfits and fixing their makeup. The visuals contrast to the lyrics where Agy questions the real meaning of celebrating Raya. 

In a threads post, music video director Mohd Hisham Saleh said the video's intention aims to pose a simple question: When celebrating turns into content, what remains of the original feeling?

"The music video depicts Raya's current state - where celebration is driven more by appearance, performance and visibility than genuine presence. Set in a minimalist and controlled environment, the MV shows people gathering, posing, moving and interactive as if on an invisible grid, reflecting the layout of social media feeds, curated moments and staged intimacy," said Hisham.

In a separate threads post, the director explained the various scenes in music video including a scene where he pokes fun at how chasing the FYP, OOTD (outfit of the day), likes and shares have become a social currency to measure success in life. 

He also commented on how Hari Raya music videos tend to be the same year after year: "We romanticise Raya as if it is perfect. There are so many films and ads that always make us feel warm about the celebration, yet we never admit what's wrong with the way we celebrate it." 

This isn't Agy's first time receiving backlash on a project. In 2024, the influencer and designer bag brand Sometime received negative responses to its campaign shoot where Agy is seen posing with the brand's new convertible bag collection. Negative comments at the time highlighted that the bag did not appear to be unisex and crticised Agy for looking feminine. 

In response to the backlash, Sometime released a statement and showed further support for Agy. It said that Agy was casted for the campaign for his "exceptional creativity and unique perspective as a content creator and internet personality." 

It added that Agy possessed the suitable talents and skills it sought to bring the campaign to life, which was the primary factors of its selection. At the same time, the brand said it did not wish to offend its audience with its decision. 

On top of its statement, Sometime shared behind the scenes footage of how Agy's hard work and creativity during the shoot were effective in the brand's campaign outcome. The behind the scenes shoot revealed Agy's multiple attempts to get the perfect shot that was later featured in the campaign video. This includes tirelessly jumping and leaping multiple times throughout the shoot. 

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