Raw and Unfiltered Reflections: Kidd Santhe's music confronting racism

MALAYSIAN rapper Kidd Santhe's latest song is a raw and unfiltered reflection on the turbulent youth of his late best friend, highlighting a lifestyle many once lived and a reality that resonates deeply with his audience.

A quick throwback to his song titled Bawah released back in 2020, sees him confronting the harsh realities of life in Malaysia, tackling themes of loss, racism, and societal challenges that are sadly happening today.

The song, which serves as a poignant tribute to his late best friend, delves deep into the struggles faced by many young Malaysians.

"This song is about my best friend who passed away very young due to an outrageous lifestyle that, quite frankly, a lot of us used to live when we were younger," Kidd reveals to Sinar Daily.

His lyrics, though deeply personal, resonate with a wider audience as they reflect a shared experience of grief and the consequences of reckless living.

But he says his track goes beyond personal loss. He boldly addresses the pervasive issue of racism in Malaysia: "I think people are foolish if they say that we are not going through racism.”

"People are absolutely in denial or they are in 'La La Land' if they think that the country, we live in is absolutely aman dan damai (peaceful)," he said.

The 28-year old does not shy away from highlighting the everyday racism faced by many Malaysians, including himself. "There's no doubt that a lot of us want to embrace the idea of unity and togetherness, but that's not the case.

"Even for me to rent a place, I have to look at what type of tenants they're looking for. If I don't fit their idea of a perfect tenant, I'm not even allowed to visit," he said the issue where some landlords and agents discriminate against race when choosing tenants.

He further pointed out the job market stereotype, where discrimination pushes many Malaysians to seek opportunities abroad. "When we look at why a lot of us are starting to look at the United Kingdom, Singapore, and other countries, it's because there's no such thing as that sort of discrimination. But only here in Malaysia," he said.

Kidd also said the provocative nature of his song has sparked controversy, garnering both support and backlash. He said art is supposed to do two things: make you feel comfortable or make you feel very out of place.

“I guess this song made a lot of people feel very out of place because it is the truth, and a lot of people find it hard to swallow," he said.

Despite receiving death threats and being tagged to the police on social media, Kidd remains unfazed.

"Of course, the police is not going to do anything. Not that they don't do anything, but I don't think it's a big enough issue for them to put me behind bars. It would be an absolute joke because what I'm saying is either fiction or non-fiction. It's totally up to the listener," he said.

Through his music, Kidd seeks to provoke thought and inspire change. He acknowledges that while not everything can be blamed on external factors, individual choices have significant impacts on future generations.

"The choices we make across our lives have an extravagant impact on our future and the generations to come," he said.

Ultimately, Kidd calls for a shift in perspective by urging the Indian community to excel through the opportunity given.

"We need to wake up because if we are crying about what we're going through here, can you imagine what people are going through outside? There are countries at war right now, parents who can't sleep because they're worried about losing their child in the blink of an eye," he said.

In a society where the luxury to grieve is limited, Kidd's message is clear: resilience and action are crucial.

"We don't have the luxury to sit down and cry for very long. Maybe for a good five to ten minutes, but after that, you must wake up and go back to doing what you need to do for the future," he said.

Kidd said his music was an act to call for action, a wake-up call, and a testament to the power of art to challenge, provoke, and ultimately inspire change.