It was six years ago that Sasi The Don last released a full album. After sharing one single in 2018 (ABCD) and two new singles last year – Daddy Don and Humpty Dumpty – the Malaysian artiste is all set to release a 12-track album titled My Second Wave on March 20.
“I had my first wave when I got into the music industry about 21 years ago,” he told StarLifestyle. “It was a whole different type of life that we lived in and today with the new normal, I just want to reset my clock to a new beginning."
The 42-year-old added: “Sasi today is different from Sasi that was 21 years ago. I come with more experience, network and confidence.
"Also, I think it’s time that someone like me give back to the industry, which is why I’ve started a record label (Tuff N Loud Worldwide) to open doors for new Malaysian artistes to explore this musical journey in and outside of Malaysia with me.”
According to him, My Second Wave was not an easy album to put together due to the pandemic as he had collaborated with a couple of international artistes including singer Maxi Priest and musicians from Jamaica.
“But it’s a nicely packaged album and each song has a great story behind it.”
Besides the three singles he had already released, fans can look out for a new track titled Jaane Jaana in which Sasi collaborates with the first Indian Idol winner Abhijeet Sawant.
“I’ve always had a strong connection with Indian music, having grown up listening to AR Rahman, music from Bollywood and Kollywood films. So, my foundation in music has a strong Indian influence.
“The chorus for, Jaane Jaana – which means my true love – is sung by Abhijeet. I was introduced to him when he came to Malaysia to perform and have remained in contact with him since,” Sasi said.
Besides the influences of Indian sound, Sasi’s music largely falls into the reggae genre. Known as the Reggae Ambassador of Asia, Sasi has a song called Reggae Exchange which he composed to “honour the reggae industry which unites people the world over through its music”.
“Reggae is a culture by itself,” said Sasi. “I wanted to honour all those artistes around the world who have honoured me before by working with me. With Reggae Exchange, I want to spread the message of love through music to the world.”
Another track that he’s truly proud to include in the album is a 2021 edition of his hit track Anbe, which he recorded some two decades earlier. He said the song opened doors for him that he never expected.
“A lot of people love that song, and have connected with it on different levels.
“What Hijau is to Zainal Abidin, Anbe is that to me. The YouTube video is still connecting with people today.
"It was the song that got into the Era FM Chart back in the days and provided me with a lot of opportunities. What I felt was, this year with a lot of people feeling the pain, the pinch, and I wanted to encourage them by rewinding a little and enjoy the past a little. I believe a song can take you back in time which is why I decided to include the remake of Anbe.”
Following the same logic, Sasi was delighted to discover that there is such a thing as International Day of Happiness which falls on March 20. He felt it was the perfect way for him to spread happiness by launching his new album on that day.
“On March 19, I will release the music video and single Anbe and March 20, the album. For the Anbe music video, I am working with a couple of friends in Mumbai, India, who are animators. It’s going to be a very interesting video.”
Besides getting ready for the launch of My Second Wave, Sasi is also in touch with the people behind the Caribbean Afro Music Awards.
He is the only artistes from South-East Asia to be nominated in the Best International Act category of the Caribbean Afro Music Award. The newly established awards ceremony acknowledges British and international artistes that fall into the both Caribbean and Afro music. It will be held in Britain in September.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
