The Start of “Lover Boy” Phum Viphurit
If you’ve heard of the name Phum Viphurit, it’s most likely due to the artist’s 2018 song “Lover Boy.” However, before 2018 Viphurit was launched into international fame, 2014 Viphurit was releasing his very first single. And, of course, before Phum Viphurit, there was Viphurit Siritip.
Viphurit Siritip, better known by his stage name Phum Viphurit, is a Bangkok-born, New Zealand-raised musician. During his childhood in New Zealand, Viphurit began cultivating his love and talent for music. When he moved back to Thailand as an adult, he started uploading original songs and covers onto YouTube. Soon enough, he signed to the indie label Rats Records.
In 2014, Viphurit released his first single, “Adore.” The song, an indie folk track, is lovely, sweet and bright. The quality of the artist’s vocal tone soothes its listeners like a cuddly blanket would. Viphurit eventually became known for his mellow, intimate, upbeat sound.
In 2017, he released his debut album, Manchild. The album had nine tracks in total: five previously released singles and four new tracks. One of those new songs, “Long Gone,” started getting him more and more attention. Shortly after, in 2018, Phum Viphurit dropped his song “Lover Boy.” As an idea of just how popular the song was for a small artist, it now has over 95 million views on YouTube and over 95 million streams on Spotify. Suffice it to say, Viphurit’s then-discography earned him the international recognition he deserved.
Meeting the World
His 2019 EP Bangkok Balter Club claimed “Lover Boy” as its lead single, and also contained another well-liked single, “Hello, Anxiety.” In both 2018 and 2019, the singer-songwriter and his traveling bandmates toured the world.
Within that world, in 2018, Phum Viphurit teamed up with music label 88rising and Chinese rap act the Higher Brothers for “Lover Boy 88.” The song was a part of 88rising’s first compilation album, Head in the Clouds. In 2019, he collaborated with Indonesian artist NIKI and 88rising for “Strange Land.” “Strange Land” was included on the second 88rising compilation album, Head in the Clouds II.
His most recent album, The Greng Jai Piece, came out this past January. Filled with both singles from last year and new songs, the album is yet another testament to Viphurit’s calming power. For the album, Viphurit just recently finished up his 2023 world tour, where he stopped in Asia, Oceania and North America.
As for what’s next for the Thai-based artist, that’s to be determined. According to his Spotify biography, Phum Viphurit currently “resides in his mancave, hibernating, plotting his next releases.”
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