Next Malaysian Singer to Perform in London?

Excerpt from the Star yesterday:

Malaysia's pop princess aims for international stardom with London gig

LONDON: Besides reaching the pinnacle of her dreams, singing sensation Siti Nurhaliza will carry the hopes of Malaysia’s music industry when she makes history with her debut at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday.

I’m not a fan of Siti (not by a million light years…), our local ‘pop princess’ (I’ll scream if I hear that cliché again), but I have to admit, getting to perform at the Royal Albert Hall is some achievement for a Malaysian. Skeptics would say that the gomen would have lobbied and pushed for this event to promote Malaysia at the world stage as part of the globalization campaign, meaning Siti was virtually ‘at the right place at the right time’.

Reading the article made me wonder (and that would mean a blog entry…) What about other Malaysian music stars? Surely they deserve a chance to be given 100% support by our gomen. Here are some past and present stars, along with my opinion of their chances to appear in the London Royal Albert Hall. (Five stars means 'sure thing'; one star means 'cold day in hell')


The Alleycats – These seasoned pub performers from Penang are pros at performing live. I can imagine David Arumugam and Loga (with their huge Afros) going “Terima KaSIH!” in London. Plus they had a guitarist named Ah Hock. But on the downside, their kind of ‘neither here nor there’ music were suited just for, well, pubs and hotel lounges. (Chances = ***)

Sudirman Hj. Arshad – He would have been a sure thing, too bad he isn’t around anymore. (Chances = *****)

Reshmonu – Can’t stand this R&B celup wannabe, but he seems popular these days. But why would the gomen promote sub-par American R&B as Malaysian music? (Chances = ***)

The whole Akademi Fantasia gang – Look, I said real talent, not second-rate kenduri kahwin singers, OK? All twelve of them added up wouldn’t get half a star. (Chances = negative)

Amelina / Mas Idayu – Now this would be interesting. If the gomen were to promote dangdut to the world, these two 'puteri dangdut' would be top of the list. I would pay good money to see the expression on the faces of Londoners when they see Amelina shaking her grove thang, going “Mari kita, oh-ah-ah” or “cinta aku seratus-peratus halal…”(Chances = **)

Silent Death / Sil-Khannaz / Suffercation / Cromok reunion gig – Oh, yeah sure. The chances of these local guys appearing in London would be slightly better than Iron Maiden appearing in Putra Stadium. (Chances = 0)

A.A. Govindasamy and the Pasar Sentul Dalam Raaga Raaga Tabla Gang – Sure thing, man! (Chances = **********)