Tuesday, August 4, 2009
music in malaysia
POP! (goes the bubble)1960s
Largely influenced by The Beatles. Many kugirans were formed. Ku=kumpulan (group), gi=gitar (guitar), ran=rancak (fast tempo).
1980s
Influenced by Michael Jackson. Breakdance culture was famous here. Youths used to carry hi-five sets around and play loud pop, dance music and dance their breakdance in public.
Famous people
Jamal Abdillah
Nice voice. Liked to sing songs about his pride. Was notorious for being a drugger. Went into the drug rehab centre in and out about 4 times. But he could perform so well that he made people cry. Check this song out: Kekasih Awal dan Akhir (My lover at the beginning to the end)
Siti Nurhaliza
Siti Nurhaliza
Super, super famous! Our teacher's love. She burst into the entertainment scene at the young age of 15 and made it big at 16. Has a fantastic voice and exquisite beauty. Check this song out: Bukan Cinta Biasa (A Love like no other)
POP CULTURE / HIP-HOP
Too Phat
Source: http://www.mp3lyrics.org/t/too-phat/too-phat_1.Jpg
42UC, NICO and KRU was popular then. Hip-hoppers dressed in the traditional baggy pants and sideways trucker cap. The hip-hop scene in America influenced the hip-hop scene in Malaysia. Hip-hop was popular in Malaysia because the hip-hoppers in Malaysia wanted to look similar to the Afro-Americans (economic conditions, social conditions). The Malaysians listened to the hip-hop songs probably because they wanted to feel the kindred spirit in the community. Check this song out: Anak Ayam performed by Too Phat. (In this case phat means a deliciously good tune.)
ROCK!
Famous rock band 20 years ago: Wings. Famous rock bands now: Butterfingers, Estranged, Pop Shuvit, Bunkface. Malaysian youths were generally into punk and emo rock music, and even the names of the bands reflected the emoness of the music. Mat Rock (Mat=colloquial term for Malay men) was noticeable in the Malaysians. They would keep long, curly hair and black T-shirts of their favourite shirts, and Hara and Lee Cooper faded and torn jeans and Doc Martins boots or high cut Converse shoes. They would also keep a comb in their back pocket. If the comb was pointed, that meant that guy was a gangster. Peninsula Plaza was a hot place of Mat Rockies because it was the only place that sold Hara jeans. Check out this song: Sejati peformed by Wings. Almost every Malaysian that lived in the 80's know this song!
SUBCULTURE
The Underground / Black Metal stream: Heavy metal music + obscene, rude lyrics. Started from Norway and became popular in Malaysia. The youngsters in Malaysia wanted to find a niche for themselves in the music scene in Malaysia. They were rebellious and anti-establishment. These people were called skinheads because they shaved their heads bald in an act of rebellion. Songs are not really recommended for listening because 1. they are really loud metal music and 2. I can't hear what they're singing.
TV REALITY /TALENT SHOWS
Malaysian Idol: Winner Jaclyn Victor. She is Indian. When she and another Malay were the finalists, there was debate over whether Malaysians would vote along racial lines, but Jaclyn won 70% of the votes. :D
Akademi Fantasia: Many Sabahans turn up for the auditions for this competition and Sabahans almost always come up top 2. This was probably because the living conditions for Sabahans were not very good and many Sabahans viewed this competition as a ticket to get away from the poor living conditions.
Conclusion
Music in Malaysia is highly influential and influenced by other countries and cultures. It is a popular topic for daily conversation and news/gossip about music generate more interest in the community than say, sports or politics. Music is also a vital part in other cultural activities.