Malaysian Indian rapper and singer Balan Kash, celebrated for his chart-topping hits and genre-defying fusion tracks, has achieved a new milestone with the release of his first Malay-language album, Cekap.
The album is a vibrant pop-rap fusion featuring five tracks encapsulating creativity, culture and innovation, further showcasing Balan Kash’s versatility as an artiste.
Speaking at a recent press conference to promote his album, Balan Kash shared his motivation for venturing into a Malay-language project, emphasising the importance of unity over racial identity.
"We shouldn’t be confined by labels based on race. Above all, we are Malaysians, and that is what matters most," he said.
He elaborated that Cekap aims to challenge societal divisions and inspire a sense of togetherness.
"I wanted to break these barriers, build bridges of unity and inspire the upcoming generation to embrace this spirit of inclusivity and shared identity," he added.
Balan Kash said he is grateful he had mentors, such as renowned artiste Faizal Tahir, to guide him on his Malay album.
"Having such accomplished mentors guiding me was both a privilege and a challenge. I felt the responsibility to ensure that my work met the high standards they uphold in their craft," he said.
"It was a demanding process to create something that matched those expectations, but I’m thrilled that Cekap has been well-received and appreciated."
Balan Kash has long been recognised for creating music that resonates across cultural divides. Over a decade in the Malaysian music scene, he has built a reputation for producing versatile tracks in Tamil and English.
In 2016, he gained international acclaim for his collaboration with Indian music sensation Anirudh Ravichander on the hit song ‘Hola Amigo’, which garnered over 2.3 million views on YouTube. - BERNAMA