Singaporean singer Iman Fandi has released “IT IS,” a pop and R&B-leaning single centered on confidence, self-worth, and refusing to settle for less.
Released August 21, the song is Fandi’s third single of 2026 and comes as she continues building her career independently after leaving Universal Music. The track follows “Tip Toes” and “Out Of My Mind” and is part of the run-up to her debut independent EP, Afterglow.
The release also arrives after a busy month for the 26-year-old singer, who performed at Singapore’s National Day Parade before making the international debut of “IT IS” at a Los Angeles event with American rapper Snoop Dogg.
What is Iman Fandi’s ‘IT IS’ about?
“IT IS” is built around the idea of knowing your value without having to repeatedly prove it.
Rather than framing confidence as something that requires external approval, the song presents self-worth as something that comes from being secure in who you are. Its playful tone also gives Fandi room to address the familiar question of whether a song is secretly about a particular person.
That ambiguity is intentional. Fandi has described the song as partly inspired by her own experiences and partly as a playful challenge to anyone who assumes the lyrics are about them.
The result is a track that approaches confidence with humor as well as assertiveness.
How does ‘IT IS’ fit into Iman Fandi’s independent era?
The single is part of a larger shift in Fandi’s career.
After leaving Universal Music, Fandi began 2026 as an independent artist. Her first independent single, “Tip Toes,” was released in February and opened the road toward Afterglow. She subsequently released “Out Of My Mind.”
Fandi has previously described independence as giving her greater control over her music and creative decisions. That includes not only songwriting and recording but also aspects of the visual and promotional work surrounding her releases.
For “IT IS,” that independence comes through in the song's directness. It does not present confidence as something the singer is still trying to find. Instead, it sounds like an artist becoming increasingly comfortable defining herself.
Why is Iman Fandi’s 2026 significant?
Fandi's new single arrives during one of the busiest periods of her career.
In August, she performed “Giants” at Singapore's National Day Parade, held at the National Stadium. She also appeared at the Superstar Among Friends: Broadus Together event in Los Angeles on August 15, where “IT IS” received its international live debut.
The National Day Parade performance was particularly significant because Fandi is the daughter of Singapore football icon Fandi Ahmad. Her appearance connected her growing music career with a family legacy that is deeply associated with Singaporean sport.
Her international performance in Los Angeles, meanwhile, placed her alongside Snoop Dogg and gave her new single exposure outside Singapore.
The sequence of events shows an artist moving between distinctly different platforms: a national celebration at home, an international music event, and an independent release campaign.
How is Iman Fandi connecting with Filipino audiences?
Fandi has also been building connections with the Philippine music and entertainment scene ahead of “IT IS.”
She met members of P-pop girl group KAIA and singer RAMONA, the musical identity of actress and singer-songwriter Andrea Brillantes, during the NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore.
The meeting led to social media collaborations featuring “IT IS,” with content rolling out on TikTok during August. Fandi has also worked with Singaporean performers Jasmine Sokko and Gareth Fernandez, who joined her in National Day Parade performances.
For Filipino listeners, the KAIA and RAMONA collaborations provide a natural introduction to Fandi's music at a time when P-pop and other Southeast Asian artists are increasingly using social platforms to cross national markets.
This is particularly relevant for independent artists. A song no longer has to depend entirely on traditional radio promotion to find audiences in neighboring countries. Short-form video collaborations can allow artists to share music, choreography, and personality with audiences beyond their home market.
What comes next for Iman Fandi?
“IT IS” is the latest step toward Afterglow, Fandi's planned debut independent EP.
The project follows a year in which she has expanded both her creative independence and her live-performance profile. Her current releases suggest a clearer focus on confidence and self-definition compared with the themes of her earlier career.
The single's release campaign also extends beyond streaming. Fandi teased “IT IS” at the reopening of Singapore nightclub Zouk in July and is scheduled to perform at the Singapore Indoor Stadium later in August. A school tour is also planned as part of the song's rollout.
With the EP still ahead, “IT IS” functions as both a standalone release and a preview of the artistic direction Fandi is developing independently.
