From struggle to soundtrack: Singapore Wheelsmith battles muscular dystrophy and turns pain into hit music

Wheelsmith: Danial Bawthan’s Ride From Adversity to Art

Meet Danial Bawthan, the 26‑year‑old rapper, sound designer, and wheelchair‑rugby champion who refuses to let anyone call him “brave” when they should be thanking him for tripping over their oversimplified pep talks.

“I was on a Grab, and [the driver] told me I was inspiring because I went out of my house.”

Danial is quick to point out how people often reduce powerful stories to a single “inspirational” cliché. He’s all about grit, not just selling tissue.

Career Highlights (and a few brag-worthy moments)

2019 National Day Parade – Seated in the front row, Danial dropped his rap verse calling on Singaporeans to “stand as one in Padang.” Rumor has it his beat made every speaker vibrate.
Theatre aficionado – He starred in The Coronalogues with the Singapore Repertory Theatre, rubbing shoulders with talents like Dick Lee and Ken Kwek.
Wheelchair rugby superstar – On the national team, he embraces the thrill of “hitting each other without being stomped.” It’s a mind‑blowing spin on team sports.
Future plans – Coming to an end of the year, Danial is eyeing a parasailing adventure. Even with a global pandemic running the numbers, his optimism remains unstoppable.

Why Danial Is More Than a “Wheelchair” Artist

He lives by the mantra “try everything once.” That rule turns everyday challenges into possibilities, and that positivity is what keeps Singapore’s creative scene buzzing. From beats that crack the air to moving on the field, Danial’s life is proof that resilience + ambition equals an unstoppable soundtrack.

So the next time you see Danial, give him a high‑five, not a “you’re brave” compliment—he’s already earned that title.

‘Singapore has given me the opportunity to actually move’

Danial’s Spirited Life: From Phoning to Wheel‑chair Nation

At just four years old, Danial was given the diagnosis of muscular dystrophy—a disease that gnaws at muscles, gradually turning strength into slowness. But the early years in Johor Bahru were still full of giggles and no one ever asked about his condition.

“We were just a bunch of kids playing around,” he chuckles. “No one cared about differences—the world was our playpen, and that’s how it was lived.

Shenanigans with Friends

Trading a Nokia phone—the craze of the era—into a BMX bike. Discovery that his new ride could still feel the pavement tactically.
Racing the neighborhood street dogs. The 4‑year‑old was chasing them with a store rebel’s curiosity.
Crafting “tobit”的 “chance” of health.

His adventures were a testament to the fact even if his muscles were weakening, his imagination kept strideable.

Moving Through Ages & Places

By the time he was 13, the diagnosis had become sharper. His limbs were now a chapter of drag—he had to lean on crutches to keep his pace.

At 15, the crutches turned to a wheelchair. But his relocation to Singapore turned the world into a very different playground.

“The shock was real,” Danial says. “I realized that, even though the sidewalks and streets were largely pavement‑friendly, the dogs and potholes that used to be constant worry were now distant memories.”

How Singapore Made a Difference

Concrete roads replaced the tactile fields of Malaysia.
His own “star-ride,” sliding through the city’s MRT station, had a new destiny with virtually no obstacles.
He can now “virtually close his eyes, push his chair, and go see the city’s speed.”

Dan’s story is a profound reminder that when we reinterpret an environment for those with disabilities, we open up new horizons for everyone. It’s not just a journey—it’s an infant dad’s big play story.

Turning his struggles into rap verses

Danial: From Hair‑Style Struggles to Stage‑Stardom

At age 13 – 14, Danial was convinced that a fresh cut and the same hair‑dos as his friends would finally make him fit in. In reality, it was the mirror that gave him the biggest plot twist. He realised that the kid staring back was not the same one who’d been terrified of those school corridors.

School Days: Awkward & Unfiltered

Forgot—inner voice wasn’t “in the loop” with classmates.
Mirror‑time became his personal reality check.
He started jotting down thoughts in rhyming verses, just to vent (no rhyme contracts landed for him).

The Big “Rap Rocket” Moment

One joke‑off friend suggested: “Put that poetry on a beat!” Danial, with an eager grin, opened YouTube and screamed, “Rap beats, instrumental free sad!” He dove headfirst into the world of free beats, only to discover the power of creating his own soundscapes. The laptop became his board; the laptop became his studio. When he realised the possibility, a sparkle of ambition flashed: “Yeah, I can do this.”

From Raps to Theatres

It wasn’t all about the beat‑drop—our teen’s bosom of talent soon found a different stage. “They asked me to spin a monologue,” he says with a chuckle, proving that versatility is the ultimate superpower. No rap? No problem. He supplied the soundtrack for a theatre production and stepped on stage to perform a solo monologue. Talk about a full‑stack artist!

Why Rap Still Rules His World

Despite the theatre gigs, rap remains his soul’s loudspeaker. When he dropped his latest track, Vanilla, he didn’t just spin an album—he declared:

“Music live forever, that’s what I believe. Die like a legend cos’ I lived like a myth.”

A lyric that wasn’t just a line, but a promise.

Take a Listen

Jam out, be bold, and if you’re looking for a rhythm that marries storytelling with heart, Danial’s new track “Vanilla” is ready to keep the beat alive. Enjoy the mixture of humble beginnings and meteoric rise in these few minutes of fast‑paced music.

Rapping on a national stage

How Danial’s Music Career Unfolded like a Lucky Dream

The Unusual Kick‑off: Rapping at a Kendama Show

Picture this: Danial, freshly minted rapper, earning his first paycheck by performing for a room full of kids focusing on throwing plush sticks. Cute, chaotic, and the beginning of a long wild ride.

From Scrappy Beats to the National Day Parade

Every step felt like a puzzle piece snapping into place:

Early gigs & networking: He’d danced around the local rap scene, building a reputation that was half talent, half perseverance.
Meeting Royston Tan: A casual coffee conversation turns into an opportunity when filmmaker Royston casually mentions the 2019 “NDP” and Danial’s name pops up.
Unexpected call: Royston, who’d been steering the multimedia charge for the parade, drops a call: “Hey bro, you’re in, it’s happening!”
Moments of disbelief: “You got tickets?” Danial queries, floating between skepticism and exhilarating disbelief.

Why This Moment Matters to Danial

For him, the NDP was not just another performance—it was the “biggest stage” where his voice could reverberate across Singapore for millions. He says:

“Every day I waited for this instant, where I could shout out what I’ve got in my heart. I didn’t want to keep quiet.”
— Danial

Empowerment Through Rap: The ‘Boleh’ Message

Danial’s core mission: show everyone that if you’re in his shoes—tired of obstacles, craving expression—you can make it happen. He nudges, “Just go it, just go, just go.”

Conclusion: Serendipity, Beats, and a Call to Arms

What started with a simple rent for a kid’s game turned into a national spotlight, all sparked by a chance chance. Danial’s story reminds us that when you blend talent, timing, and just a few right conversations, success can arrive like a lucky dream.

Coping with the new normal

Danial’s 2020: From a Fresh Beat to a Pandemic Pause

The Big Break

When the NDP rolled out its first ever rap & hip‑hop block, Danial was right in the mix alongside Yung Raja and Fariz Jabba. The shine of that debut was a real milestone for the rising star.

Momentum on the Verge of a Slam

Post‑show, the projects started to roll in—collaborations lined up, gigs booked, and the studio buzz was off the charts. Then the world turned a corner: CURRENT COULD NOT, POSTPONE OR CANCEL. It felt like the ultimate knock‑knock joke: “Who’s there? The pandemic, and everything’s gone.”

Feeling the Rumble Outside the Studio

Danial’s DNA thrives on adventure. Being stuck at home with “nothing to do” was a struggle, he admits. “It’s tough to stay off the hustle when you’re used to the grind.”

Eyes on the Horizon

But the story isn’t over. He’s still pushing forward: “It’s coming back, we’re grabbing the momentum again. My kite will rise soon.”

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