
Johan Yusof may have first graced the streaming community with his handsome voice and smooth dance moves in 2018, but when it comes to singing and dancing, he is a seasoned veteran. Yusof began performing on stage 21 years ago, planting his roots in theater before branching out as a Japanese pop (J-Pop) singer.
Before COVID-19, he could often be found performing at anime conventions across Malaysia and Singapore. However, the pandemic restricted live performances, spurring this multitalented artist to connect with his audience via a safer, digital venue: Twitch.
Johan Yusof Becomes a One Man Show on Stream
Like so many across the globe, COVID-19 had a significant impact on Yusof’s career and aspirations. As the world cocooned within the safety of their homes, he found himself pressed to find new avenues of income.
Thus, Yusof turned to Twitch, making it his new stage. He brings energy and entertainment as a one-man show on his channel, which consists of a mix of him dropping moves in Just Dance, playing video games, singing, doing impersonations, and even acting out dares posed by his viewers.
“I’m glad I had streaming to fall back onto,” Yusof confessed. “Even though it’s not very easy, I’m glad that at the very least, this is something that I could do at home and be able to make the best out of it.”
Although singing is his self-proclaimed first love, dancing also holds a special place for Yusof. His mother was a professional dancer whose career had her performing at festivals, on stage and even on television. Now that she is retired, he feels the need to take up the baton.
“Part of the reason I’m dancing a lot on stream is because I want to continue carrying on my mom’s legacy as a dancer,” he said.
For those who have never tuned into Yusof’s streams, they’re like a party with an open invitation. He dances in a room illuminated by colorful lights, and engages with an active chat in between songs and requests. The experience is, in many ways, more intimate than the concerts and shows he put on previously. It offers a two-way street that allows viewers to become a part of the experience rather than simply observing it.
“I enjoy connecting with people from all different walks of life, to have that kind of interaction, to be able to chat with a lot of people, and to get to know them,” he said. “Putting on a show at the same time is something I find something very, very, valuable to me. It’s something that I really enjoy and really cherish.”
To him, it’s not just about performing but making his viewers feel happy.
Johan Yusof’s “Five Days of Fireworks” Takes Flight in July
When Yusof first received the invitation to do a fundraiser for Dreamscape Foundation, he felt the need to dig deeper into the non-profit’s mission and the ways it uses its funds to help others. The more he learned about our mission, the more he felt compelled to support it.
“Dreamscape’s MO [modus operandi] is basically to help out those within the disabled community, and I feel that what I do streaming, or gaming, or even dancing or singing for that matter, is for everyone to be able to enjoy whether they able-bodied or not,” he said. “And if there are ways for the disabled community to do what they love to do, what they want to do, and what they’re passionate about doing, without having to be forced to conform to any sort of limitations, I would love to help them out in any possible way.”
That help will be taking the form of a multi-day fundraising event called “Five Days of Fireworks.” Scheduled to take place from July 1 to July 5, the schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, July 1, 2021:
- Just Dance 2021 (9AM – 1PM EST)
- Friday, July 2, 2021:
- Karaoke JOYSOUND for Nintendo Switch (9AM – 1PM EST)
- Just Dance 2021 (9PM – 1AM EST)
- Saturday, July 3, 2021:
- Either Mario Kart 8 Deluxe / Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (9AM – 1PM EST)
- Sunday, July 4, 2021:
- Just Dance 2021 (9AM – 1PM EST)
- Monday, July 5, 2021:
- Just Dance 2021 (9AM – 1PM EST)
To participate in this event, tune into Yusof’s Twitch channel, and donate by visiting the Tiltify Campaign.
« PreviousNext »