Classic songs get a new beat in special album

KUALA LUMPUR: The DJ Dave songs Kawan Setia and Negaraku Tercinta have been given a breath of fresh air in a special album titled Nada Seni Ritma Negara.

The classic songs by the singer, whose real name is Datuk Irwan Shah Abdullah, were featured in the album. It is the brainchild of the Prime Minister’s Office to commemorate the involvement of local artistes in programmes such as the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) dialogue with artists in 2017.

Kawan Setia’s lyrics revolves around loyalty, which is the main theme behind the album.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak even quoted the lyrics of Kawan Setia on a number of occasions, including in a speech during the 2017 Umno general assembly.

DJ Dave, 70, who is also chairman of Yayasan Artis 1Malaysia, said that he was happy that his song caught Najib’s attention.

“I have been singing for over 40 years, I have never asked for anything, but I think this is my biggest achievement,” he said yesterday.

“I am also happy that the values that are in my song can be conveyed to the community through this special album.”

The album was launched by Prime Minister’s adviser Datuk Seri Prof Dr Khairil Annas Jusoh here yesterday.

In his speech, Dr Khairil said that the song Kawan Setia was apolitical, and its message should be shared by all Malaysians.