Musical Duo 229 On Their Inspirations, How They Came Together, And More

Singing in the rain!

229 | B.LEO | Haneri — Photo: Isabelle Seah

By Larissa Wong - published 13 Feb 2026

Singapore’s music scene finds a fresh pulse in 229, the collaborative vision of Daphne Khoo—or Haneri, singer, songwriter, DJ and former radio host—and Brandon Leo, or B.LEO, artist, producer and DJ. Together, they create music that is introspective, genre-defying and deeply resonant—a sound that feels as intimate as it does daring. Their debut single, “Rain”, released in September 2025, is both a quiet revelation and a bold announcement that 229 has arrived—and their music is something to pay attention to. With an all-new single, “Restless” dropping in March, be prepared to add 229 to your 2026 playlists.

How did the name 229 come about?

H (Haneri): As a fan of numerology, I love that 229 represents manifestation and believing that you are exactly where you’re meant to be. Life can be so unpredictable; it’s nice to sit in the belief that everything is going to work out.

B (B.LEO): 229 combines numbers that both Haneri and I hold personally dear. To me, 229 represents our shared passion and dedication to our craft. It’s the middle ground of what we each represent as artists.

Both of you have your own individual music careers. What made you want to collaborate?

H: I met B at a time when I had so much creative energy ready to burst, and I’d been working alone for so long. It seemed like perfect timing to find a neighbour with a full studio set-up while I was moving back into an apartment that didn’t have space for my full set-up down the street from him. It’s always easy to write with B and we put together some really nice tunes, so the collaboration happened naturally.

B: A simple first conversation with Haneri unlocked for me a deep appreciation for her beliefs and her relentless drive. Our first writing session together then quickly revealed to me how ridiculously talented she is. I was entering a phase of intense development and refocusing, and our chance meeting greatly inspired me to toss my fears aside and to trust my instincts. Our creative philosophies are very aligned too. Collaborating felt like a natural and inevitable thing.

Could you walk us through your creative process, from initial thoughts to the final result?

H: We might see this process very differently based on the different roles we took on for the release of “Rain”. There was a point of time when B and I would try to write something new every other day, and “Rain” was actually the second song we started on but the first song we finished together. B will pull up some samples and start putting a track together, I’ll hum a few melodies into my phone then listen back and see if we liked any of the melodies, then sometimes we talk about the concept of the song or let the filler lyrics guide us (sometimes a song will bring out something on your mind that you didn’t even realise was there). That’s kinda the making of the song.

B: Haneri and I approach the process as co-pilots. The goal is always to catch a feeling—a vibe—and transmute it into something meaningful and tangible.

We usually begin with a conversation. That might revolve around recent life experiences, ideas we’re sitting with, or concepts that feel emotionally or intellectually alive at the moment. From there, we move into a focused deep dive exploring sounds, visuals, and references that help shape the idea. During this phase, paying attention to what resonates is crucial. Taste is personal; it’s your fingerprint as an artist. Everything else is just execution.

Once we feel inspired and aligned, we enter the creation phase. This is where speed matters. We work in broad strokes—rough ideas, sketches, placeholders—building quickly and stacking concepts while carving away anything unnecessary. The goal at this stage is a damn good sketch. If it has life, we then commit to developing it fully.

That’s where honesty becomes essential. Finishing is an art in itself, one that is both a sprint and a marathon. Creative energy is finite, and ear fatigue is real, so we’re intentional about stepping away when needed. Coffee breaks, meditation, and resets help us return with a fresh perspective and renewed focus, allowing us to finish the work with clarity and conviction.

Who or what shaped your early understanding and passion for music?

H: My parents had an extensive music collection and I would spend hours listening to music and just lying on the couch when I was younger. My grandfather also owned a record store and label in Singapore in the ’50s, so I think music has always been in me and I have always had a deep love and passion for it.

B: Beyond my pure love for music and explorative nature leading me down rabbit holes of whatever genre I could find, I think my understanding and passion for music were greatly influenced by my twin brother, Julien. I have been blessed with the pleasure of growing up with a built-in comrade with whom I can share creative rabbit holes. Someone whose creative instincts feel as if they were my own, yet also entirely different—like the sun and the moon.

Who are your biggest music inspirations?

H: Growing up, Mariah Carey and Whitney Huston were massive inspirations to me. Later, I discovered John Mayer, Sara Bareilles and a slew of other singer-songwriters and artists that I really look up to: Sasha Alex Sloan, Ben Rector, Daniel Caesar, Kehlani; some J-pop artists: Do As Infinity, YUI and producer artists like Fred again… and Sigala. There are too many to fully list!

B: The most notable inspirations (off the dome) are Gorillaz, BIGBANG, Epik High, Dean, Frank Ocean, Daniel Caesar, Jhene Aiko, J.Cole, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Robert Glasper, Kaytranada, and Stevie Wonder. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Can you tell us about your debut single “Rain”?

H: “Rain”, to me, is about going through hard times and trying to learn to enjoy it. Life isn’t always going to be good but can we make the most of it when it’s challenging?

B: When it rains, it pours. And when it pours, it really pours. I like to think that “Rain” is about accepting that fact and still looking forward to the sun. A personal reminder to bask in its warmth when possible.

What kind of conversations do you hope your work sparks?

H: I always hope my music can speak to people in an introspective way, and to bookmark moments in life they can always come back to. I hope it sparks conversation of the self and situations, of hurt and healing, of everything and what might be seemingly nothing. That it is the small thing that ripples into good things.

B: I hope our work sparks a can-do attitude. I hope our work awakens bravery. I hope our work fills people’s creative wells, and I hope it gives hope to the ones who need it.

Photographer: Isabelle Seah
Styling: Windy Aulia
Makeup: Grego using Chanel Beauty and Revlon Professional