Just Bitchin: Where's The Hip Hop, Malaysia?

Is hip hop and R n’ B dead? Seriously. Some people are really in denial or too boozed up to really listen and think about it. Of course, if you’re into whatever pop chart trinket the mega music industry throws at you, then it’s of no consequence. But I’m talking about the Malaysian hip hop and R n’ B scene. Is the golden age finally over?

It’s a somewhat sad story. After the mainstream successes of Poetic Ammo and Too Phat, everything else has become so lukewarm. When was the last time you heard soulful sounds the likes of Innuendo? Why aren’t our hip hop/R&B artists stepping up their game to show them who’s got game? Have they really given up? Where the hell is Taheera, the neo-soul female singer that appeared on the Ilham compilation years ago?

Just when you clapped and cheered for the arrival of individuals bursting with so much potential, they just drop the mic on the floor and walk away. It’s getting rather repetitive, if you ask me. The new acts announce their presence with one hot track and then that’s it. You can’t help wondering what’s going through their minds? Are they for real or are they just looking for attention. “Oh you’re from that group… right?” Is that what happened to acts like Phlowtron, M.O.B. and… and… oh dear, I can’t remember the names of those one hit wonders anymore!

But you know what really ticks me off? More than the bling bling bravado? It’s that no one is willing to put their necks on the line anymore. no one has actually come up with any sort of gig or movement to build the genre up. Usually a small-scaled one-off event, then that’s it. No follow-up. No trying to build a sustainable scene. Maybe it’s very simple. Shyness. Fear of embarassment. Or worse, fear of failure. But how can anything be gained if no one’s willing to risk anything? Then we’ll just be waiting for someone to do something. But if everyone just waits, then nothing’s going to happen. And when nothing “educational” happens, people will keep thinking Black Eyed Peas is “da shit.”

Recently I got a lame reaction to my rants from a newfound friend recently, "But you know… it’s the crowd." What? Just because the crowd act like gangster wannabes, that doesn’t change the idea that artistes shouldn’t be doing it for the love of the music. I was sensing a twinge of prejudice in his remark. What about the indie rock scene, you little twat? Blaming the death of the music on the crowd is a pathetic excuse for not forging ahead. If you don’t go out to the crowd and give them access to the music, then how are they supposed to know or feel anything for it?

I keep hearing of the grassroots successes of fellow rock bands and acoustic singer songwriters. Why don’t you hear about that kind of success among our hip hop and R n’ B artistes? Do we not want to see a little bit of rapping in the scene? I know there are still struggling artists who are trying to gain some recognition, but the general complaint is that it’s never good enough. Are we lacking talents? Hell no. Look at The Rebel Scum. They are undoubtedly one of the best hip hop acts I’ve ever come across over the years. And I’m convinced there are more such gems out there.

There are plans up my sleeves to build a sustainable local grassroots hip hop and R n’ B scene up with a fellow friend. But I have to admit it takes up a lot of brain work, especially in terms of venue. Where can we hold such events, aside from the overrated Laundry Bar? Tak habis-habis with Laundry. Anyway, aside from my little gripe with Laundry, my friend and I are still on the lookout.

There’s a lesson to be learned here. I see the audience of baggy pants, slang talkers, booty-bouncing girls and rowdy wannabes. I can understand that we can’t help but get bulldozed over by American street culture. But we can’t just dismiss what we have. Just because we’re wearing our Fubu jeans and fancy Adidas, it doesn’t mean we can blow off the core of our identity. Just like what DJ Premier told me, “Just be responsible for what you do and power to the people who are doing their own thing.” In other words: keep it real.

Malaysian hip hop and R n’ B. Dead? There are signs—Altimet of Teh Tarik Crew rhyming to a Jay-Z song or seeing James Baum’s talents go to waste after one hot single. People, please don't waste your talent. Give us something to smile about.

Kevin Yeoh is a Paris Hilton lover, emoticon freak and has low tolerance for pretentious people. Write to him at kevinyeohck@gmail.com