HAVE you ever wondered what kind of things a Malaysian boy would sing about? Well, if you replied beautiful girls, their “hood” and everything else in between, then you’re right.

Four local talents – Altimet, DJ Fuzz, Rabbit Mac and Point Blanc – were given the task to come up with a song about “a simple Malaysian boy”, sort of a local version of British singer Estelle’s American Boy.

Clockwise from left: Rabbit, Altimet, DJ Fuzz and Point Blanc.

Simply titled Malaysian Boy, the song was written and recorded in just about one week, which surprised even the collaborators themselves.

“The people at Astro contacted us, asking if we could work on this song together. They want this song to be performed at the upcoming Suara Kami 2011 concert,” said Altimet.

The four guys, who have never collaborated in music before, jumped at the proposal and started working on the song earlier this month.

It didn’t take long for them to sync as a group and produce Malaysian Boy, which they say is just about a regular Malaysian “dude”.

“The song talks about an every day Malaysian boy – about how we hustle, kacau the girls, appreciate where we’re from and so on,” explained Rabbit Mac.

They added that Malaysian Boy is also a chill-out, entertaining “patriotic” song as opposed to the more official-sounding tracks one is used to hearing on national television and radio.

“Everyone will enjoy listening to this song,” said DJ Fuzz, who also produced the track.

Malaysian Boy is written in Bahasa Malaysia, Cantonese, Tamil and English – which the collaborators say best represent a Malaysian who grew up listening to all those languages.

The boys working on the video

“We each wrote our own verses, and they all just worked well when put together,” said Point Blanc, who performs the Cantonese parts of the song.

They spent about five days working in the studio to record Malaysian Boy and had recently completed a video for the song. They also managed to get singer Ila to sing a few lines in the track.

This song, according to the foursome, is to represent the patriotism among young people nowadays.

“I was at Stadium Merdeka working on the video and there were a few teenagers who were discussing the significance of the arena. The patriotism is there. The love for our country is there among young people,” Altimet stressed.

Rabbit shared: “This song is all about that. How the love and unity is already there. The song is not a propaganda, and it’s not in your face. It just tells the Malaysian story as it is.”

Patriotic boys

You can take a boy out of Malaysia, but you cannot take the Malaysian out of him. Altimet, DJ Fuzz, Rabbit Mac and Point Blanc tell R.AGE what exactly they love about Malaysia and being Malaysians.

What makes you proud to be a Malaysian?
DJ Fuzz: It’s a safe country.

Rabbit Mac: If I was born in India … I would’ve just been another Indian boy. Here, I grew up in a racially diverse country and know three languages.

Point Blanc: It has helped me understand and relate to different cultures.

Altimet: We are doing alright. It’s not the best country – it can be better, but it can also be a lot worse.

What do you appreciate most about Malaysia?

DJ Fuzz: Pasar malam. Everybody enjoys the pasar malam. From the rich folks, to poor people and even the tourists. They love pasar malam.

Rabbit: Food. Since I’m from Penang, I have to say the food.

Point Blanc: It’s a food heaven. The 24-hour mamak food.

Altimet: I appreciate the tolerance and co-operation among the people. We gel naturally and it is not forced.

Who is your favourite Malaysian icon/public figure?

DJ Fuzz: Datuk Ahmad Nawab, the music composer. He is the funk!

Rabbit: Tan Sri P. Ramlee. He was my dad’s close friend and I’ve been to his house many times before. I hope that I can sample some of his songs someday.

Point Blanc: Tan Sri Tony Fernandes. His entrepreneurial skills are amazing and he’s taken Malaysia to the forefront.

Altimet: Tunku Abdul Rahman. There wasn’t any bloodshed when he helped get independence for this country.

What’s your proudest Malaysian moment?

DJ Fuzz: Whenever I take a photo and KLCC is in the background. Some people react to it like if I’m in heaven.

Rabbit: Whenever I see Datuk Nicol David play in tournaments. She’s from Penang and we are all proud of her.

Point Blanc: When I watched Datuk Michelle Yeoh in Memoirs Of A Geisha. There she was, a Malaysian – someone from my neighbourhood, Ipoh – in a big Hollywood movie. That was the moment for me.

Altimet: When Malaysia defeated Indonesia and won the AFF Suzuki Cup.

What’s your hope for Malaysia?

DJ Fuzz: That the import tax on cars will be reduced and everyone can afford continental cars.

Rabbit: That they’ll stop piracy and our fans will buy original CDs. They’re just about RM25.

Point Blanc: Progress in the positive way.

Altimet: I hope there will be more equal development in Malaysia.

Suara Kami Konsert/Karnival 2011 will be held on Sept 17 at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. This concert will feature local stars such as Jaclyn Victor, Hujan, Yuna, Faizal Tahir, Pop Shuvit, Psycho Unit, Soul Krazy, Altimet, DJ Fuzz, Man Kidal, Joe Wings, Kit Search, Hilary Ang and more.
To get your tickets, visit www.astro.com.my/suarakami/ and click the “Grab your free Tix Now” link. Watch this space for more information on other ways to get your hands on free tickets.