Shaun Farrugia
Shaun Farrugia (born 10 January 1996) is a Maltese singer and songwriter from San Ġwann, Malta, whose work spans pop music and electronic dance music.[1][2][3] Based in London, he has established an international career both as a recording artist and as a songwriter for other performers. His work includes collaborations with Martin Garrix, DubVision, Alesso, Sigala, ATB, Klingande and Audien, as well as songwriting credits for The Script and Mimi Webb.[4][5]
Early life and career
Shaun Farrugia was raised in Malta and lived in San Ġwann before relocating to London. In an interview published by Wonderland Magazine in March 2023, he described growing up in a suburban street surrounded by members of his extended family, with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins living as neighbours. He grew up with his brother and credited his parents, particularly his mother, with supporting him during his childhood and education.[6]
Farrugia experienced difficulties during his secondary education. He has spoken publicly about being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at approximately 13 years of age and how discovering music provided an outlet for his energy and creativity. He later attended university but discontinued his studies after approximately four months.[6][7]
Music became an important part of his life during his teenage years. Farrugia cited the British bands Coldplay and Keane among his principal musical influences, particularly their approach to songwriting. He also acknowledged the influence of his grandmother, who enjoyed playing the piano and singing. In March 2023, he dedicated his debut extended play, Heaven Like Mine, to her memory, explaining that she had played an important role in his musical development.[6][8]
Around 2012, Farrugia began experimenting with music production software, particularly Fruity Loops (FL Studio), and started creating music independently from his bedroom in Malta. Initially, he concentrated on music production and songwriting rather than singing. He later recalled that he had been discouraged from singing after receiving negative comments about his voice. In 2018, however, a friend encouraged him to record his own vocal demos in a Maltese recording studio. The experience gave him greater confidence to pursue singing alongside songwriting.[6][9]
Before establishing himself professionally in music, Farrugia worked as an estate agent in Malta. He was employed in property sales during 2016 while continuing to develop his songwriting and recording skills in his spare time. In later interviews, he described his determination to pursue music professionally despite the financial limitations and relatively small size of the Maltese music industry.[10][3]
In 2019, Farrugia decided to relocate to London to pursue opportunities in the international music industry. His decision followed contact with British DJ and record producer Sigala, who had invited him to meet after an interaction on Instagram Live. Farrugia left his employment in Malta, sold his car and other possessions, and travelled to London to attend the meeting. He subsequently began establishing professional relationships within the British music industry.[4][11]
His early songwriting work included contributions to I'll Break My Heart Again by Mimi Webb and Hot Summer Nights by Irish band The Script. He subsequently signed a recording agreement with Polydor Records.[4]
One of his early commercial achievements as a songwriter was Melody, recorded by Sigala and released in January 2022. The single reached number 31 on the UK Official Singles Chart in April 2022.[12]
International career
Collaborations with Martin Garrix
Farrugia gained wider international attention in 2022 through his collaborations with Dutch DJ and record producer Martin Garrix.
Their professional relationship developed after Garrix discovered Farrugia's singing on TikTok. They subsequently began working together in the studio.[13]
On 15 April 2022, Martin Garrix and the Dutch electronic music duo DubVision released Starlight (Keep Me Afloat), featuring Farrugia on vocals. The recording formed part of Garrix's Sentio project.[13]
On 29 April 2022, Garrix released If We'll Ever Be Remembered, another collaboration with Farrugia. The recording appeared as the closing track of the album Sentio.[14]
Farrugia continued collaborating with Garrix and DubVision on Wherever You Are, released on 7 June 2024. The song was premiered during Garrix's performance at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, where Farrugia also appeared on stage.[15]
In July 2025, Farrugia appeared on Inside Our Hearts, a collaboration between Martin Garrix and Swedish DJ Alesso. The single was released on 25 July 2025 through STMPD Records, with Farrugia contributing vocals and lyrics.[16][5]
The song was also selected for presentation during Garrix's headline appearance at Tomorrowland in Belgium in July 2025.[5]
Other international collaborations
In addition to his work with Martin Garrix, Farrugia collaborated with British DJ and internet personality Vikkstar on Humans, released on 1 December 2023 through Funfair Records.[17]
On 17 January 2025, Farrugia released Feelings for You with French DJ and producer Klingande. The single was issued through Ultra Records.[18]
On 26 September 2025, German DJ and producer ATB released Believe in Love, featuring Farrugia as vocalist.[19]
On 10 July 2026, Farrugia collaborated with American producer Audien on the single High Hopes, released through Enhanced Recordings.[20]
Solo recordings
Alongside his songwriting and collaborative projects, Farrugia has released original music as a solo performer.
His early solo releases included Dear God, issued in December 2022, and Count On You, released in January 2023. These recordings preceded his debut extended play, Heaven Like Mine, released on 10 March 2023 through Polydor Records.[21]
The EP included songs such as Dear God, Count On You, Recognise Me, Heaven Like Mine and Vertigo. The project explored personal relationships and emotional experiences through contemporary pop songwriting.[22]
On 26 January 2024, he released the single Chemicals, followed by further solo material, including Happier and Crying Alone On A Saturday Night.[23][24]
In 2026, Farrugia continued issuing original recordings. Heading Home was released on 22 May, followed by Still Falling on 24 July and All For Nothing on 11 September.[25][26]
Mużika Mużika 2025
Farrugia was one of the composers of Stajna Konna Aħna, the winning entry at the fifth edition of Mużika Mużika in 2025.
The song was performed by Jamie Cardona, who composed the music together with Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur and Farrugia. The lyrics were written by Cardona and Spiteri Monsigneur.
The festival took place at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre between 27 and 29 March 2025, with the winner announced on the final evening.[27]
In an interview with Times of Malta, Farrugia described the experience of winning the competition as one of the highlights of his year. He also recalled developing the song's chorus on the piano shortly after receiving the initial lyrics.[5]
Songwriting
Farrugia's professional work encompasses both performances under his own name and compositions recorded by other artists.
His selected songwriting credits include:
- I'll Break My Heart Again – Mimi Webb.
- Hot Summer Nights – The Script.
- Melody – Sigala.
- Stajna Konna Aħna – Jamie Cardona, with Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur and Jamie Cardona.
His work with international producers has included writing and recording songs in the pop and electronic dance music genres.[4][27]
Selected discography
Solo recordings
- 2022 – Dear God (single)
- 2022 – I Don't Wanna Fall Asleep Yet (single)
- 2023 – Count On You (single)
- 2023 – Heaven Like Mine (EP)
- 2024 – Chemicals (single)
- 2024 – Happier (single)
- 2024 – Crying Alone On A Saturday Night (single)
- 2026 – Heading Home (single)
- 2026 – Still Falling (single)
- 2026 – All For Nothing (single)
Collaborative recordings
- 2022 – Starlight (Keep Me Afloat) – Martin Garrix and DubVision featuring Shaun Farrugia
- 2022 – If We'll Ever Be Remembered – Martin Garrix and Shaun Farrugia
- 2023 – Humans – Vikkstar and Shaun Farrugia
- 2024 – Wherever You Are – Martin Garrix and DubVision featuring Shaun Farrugia
- 2025 – Feelings for You – Klingande and Shaun Farrugia
- 2025 – Inside Our Hearts – Martin Garrix and Alesso featuring Shaun Farrugia
- 2025 – Believe in Love – ATB featuring Shaun Farrugia
- 2026 – High Hopes – Audien and Shaun Farrugia
[13][14][17][15][18][16][19][20]
References
- ↑ Dutch Top 40, Shaun Farrugia – Biography.
- ↑ Malta Daily, Maltese Singer Shaun Farrugia Turns 30 Years Old, 10 January 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cristian Muscat, Qed naħdem fuq proġett kbir biex sal-aħħar tas-sena noħorġu madwar għaxar diski oħra, talk.mt, 18 May 2022.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Tileyard Music, Shaun Farrugia – Artist Profile.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Times of Malta, Watch: From Mużika Mużika to Tomorrowland, Shaun Farrugia's star keeps rising, July 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Wonderland Magazine, New Noise: Shaun Farrugia, 15 March 2023.
- ↑ Times of Malta, From struggling in class to filling stadiums, 8 October 2022.
- ↑ Malta Daily, Shaun Farrugia dedicates new EP Heaven Like Mine to late grandmother, 10 March 2023.
- ↑ Malta Daily, This Maltese singer-songwriter is putting out music with some of the biggest names in the scene, 20 January 2022.
- ↑ Malta Daily, Shaun Farrugia Looks Back On His 2016, 25 January 2026.
- ↑ House of Solo, A Conversation with Shaun Farrugia.
- ↑ Official Charts Company, Sigala – Melody: Official Chart History.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Martin Garrix Official Website, Starlight (Keep Me Afloat), 15 April 2022.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Martin Garrix Official Website, If We'll Ever Be Remembered, 29 April 2022.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Martin Garrix Official Website, Wherever You Are, 7 June 2024.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Martin Garrix Official Website, Inside Our Hearts, 25 July 2025.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Apple Music, Humans – Single, Vikkstar and Shaun Farrugia, 1 December 2023.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Apple Music, Feelings for You – Single, Klingande and Shaun Farrugia, 17 January 2025.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 ATB Official Website, Music – Singles, Believe in Love, September 2025.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Apple Music, High Hopes – Single, Audien and Shaun Farrugia, 10 July 2026.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Qobuz, Shaun Farrugia – Discography.
- ↑ The Rodeo Magazine, A Heaven Like Shaun Farrugia's, 21 March 2023.
- ↑ Apple Music, Chemicals – Single, Shaun Farrugia, 26 January 2024.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Apple Music, Shaun Farrugia – Artist Discography.
- ↑ Apple Music, Heading Home – Single, Shaun Farrugia, 22 May 2026.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Apple Music, All For Nothing – Single, Shaun Farrugia, 11 September 2026.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Times of Malta, Jamie Cardona wins fifth edition of Mużika Mużika with Stajna Konna Aħna song, 30 March 2025.