Why Are Malaysians Overlooking Their Own Music Scene?

It’s a strange thing Malaysia’s music industry raked in a record-breaking RM339 million in revenue in 2024. Yet, ask most Malaysians to name five local artists off the top of their heads, and chances are, you’ll be met with silence. This disconnect between industry growth and public awareness was highlighted by local news writer Syakirah Nor, who questioned why so few homegrown names have entered mainstream consciousness.

A quick scroll through Apple Music’s Top 100 Malaysia paints a clear picture: the charts are dominated by international powerhouses like Jennie, Kendrick Lamar, and Billie Eilish. Only one Malaysian track, Aku Dah Lupa by MikkyZia, managed to crack the top five. Meanwhile, Spotify’s 2023 Wrapped crowned Taylor Swift as the most-streamed artist in the country and the closest thing to a “local” hit was an Indonesian ballad by Mahalini.

It’s certainly not for a lack of talent. Malaysia has no shortage of gifted musicians, but many get drowned out by the roar of global trends. K-pop groups, American pop stars, and viral TikTok sounds continue to take over our playlists, while Malaysian artists hustle quietly behind the scenes, waiting for their moment.

One of the biggest hurdles is visibility. Unlike their international counterparts, many local acts don’t receive the same level of promotion or platforming. Compounding this is a lingering mindset that equates “local” with “less polished” a perception that’s not only unfair, but entirely untrue.

The tide may be turning. As reported by Geraldine Tong, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil launched two key initiatives: KPIMM, a study to assess and grow the local music industry, and JK-PTIM, a committee guiding supportive music policies with industry input.

Still, if Malaysian music is to truly thrive, policy alone won’t cut it. It starts with us with the listeners. Hitting play on a local track, showing up to gigs, and giving our own artists the same kind of hype we reserve for global stars. The talent is already here. We just need to start listening.

Daniel Abrahams is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!

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