Eight finalists in Sabah song, best artiste competition

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KOTA KINABALU: Six local singers and three local vocal groups will compete in season four of the ‘Anugerah Juara Carta Lagu Artis Sabah’ this March 20 at 2pm at the 1Borneo Hypermall atrium.

The organiser, Sabah Radio Television Malaysia (Entertainment and Music Unit), has divided the competition into five categories, namely Sabah Artiste Champion, Best Vocalist, Best Performance, Most Popular Song (Weekly Chart Topper), and Most Popular Singer (based on the number of votes via SMS between Feb 19 and March 20).

Sabah fm manager Malinaziah Datu Mohd Julaspi told a press conference here yesterday, that the event was aimed at encouraging musically-inclined individuals and groups to express their talent not only through singing but also composing lyrics and songs, particularly in
Malay.

Among the solo artistes in the competition is Malaysian Idol runner-up, Esther Applunius Chin who will present a ballad entitled, “ Selalu”, which is her own and first attempt at composition.

One of the groups in the fray is Momain Blues, comprising members of ‘Blast Off 2006’ (Band) national champions Jiaja, with their blues shuffle presentation of “Blues Kita”, composed by their drummer.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun is expected to launch the event.

“This is also part of RTM’s effort to promote local artistes and therefore we hope members of the public will also be there to support them,” said Malinaziah.

Last year, season three of the competition drew an encouraging crowd of around 1,000.

Malinaziah said Sabah RTM had a panel to ensure that the lyrics were screened and scrutinised for impropriety before the
songs were
aired.

“We also have plans to produce a compilation of works by new artistes and composers to further promote them,” she added. — Bernama