KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — After more than a decade in the game, Klang-born rapper Balan Kash is proving his versatility with his first full Bahasa Malaysia EP, Cekap — and the scene is taking notice, with two of its tracks now nominated for Malaysia’s prestigious Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM).
The 42-year-old artist is currently on cloud nine after his songs, Cekap and Kuala Lumpur, were recently nominated for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Song at this year’s AIM 24.
Commemorating Malaysia’s national month, Balan also released a bold music video for the title track, layered with powerful messages of unity.
But before diving into the story behind Cekap, it’s worth recapping the journey of the “Macha Magic Freestyle” rapper.
Malaysian rapper Balan Kash is on cloud nine after getting two nominations at this year’s Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM 24). — Picture by Firdaus Latiff
The long road to ‘Cekap’
Inspired by Malaysian hip-hop Ogs like Poetic Ammo and Too Phat, Balan started rapping in high school.
He was part of early rap groups KLG Sqwad and 7th Redemption, making a name for himself in the local scene by opening for Teh Tarik Crew and even being featured on Too Phat’s final album in 2005.
After the group’s disbandment in 2008, Balan went solo, delivering raps in both English and Tamil.
His big break came in 2016 with the hit song Start That Thiruvizha, which caught the attention of Sony Music India and led to a collaboration with famed Indian composer Anirudh Ravichander on the hit soundtrack Hola Amigo.
In 2023, he also made his acting debut in Budak Flat, Prime Video’s first Malaysian Amazon Original film.
According to Balan, the Cekap EP is a culmination of things that he’s good at. — Picture by Fidaus Latiff
The Klang connection
The interview takes place on a bustling Friday evening at a tea shop in Balan’s hometown of Klang.
As sirens wail in the background, he casually explains, “Oh, today is Friday. That means they are transporting remanded individuals to the balai (police station) from the court complex just behind here.”
It’s a glimpse into the street-level awareness that shapes his music. He speaks with pride about the city’s recent rejuvenation, from cleaner streets to vibrant murals.
Seeing his love for his community, Cekap comes as no surprise. But why the sudden focus on Bahasa Malaysia?
“After Covid-19, I realised I’ve done Tamil songs, but as a musician, I’m still unsatisfied because I didn’t do anything in my country’s own language,” Balan explained.
“What’s the point of being known abroad only amongst your community, but the people in my own country don’t know me? In Malaysia, everyone understands BM… I also want to break the stereotype that Indians can’t speak BM fluently, and it works.”
The five-track EP, titled Cekap (meaning efficient or competent), is a culmination of what Balan does best.
The AIM-nominated track Kuala Lumpur is a personal song based on his life navigating the city.
“KL taught me both the good and the bad. It will eat you alive if you don’t know how to survive,” he said, adding he was inspired by legends like the late Datuk Sudirman and Too Phat, who all have songs about KL.
“It almost felt like if you want to be a legend here, you need at least one song about KL.”
A beat for unity
The music video for Cekap opens with a powerful archival sound clip of the late PP Narayanan, a prominent Malaysian trade unionist, declaring that talking about race after independence is “complete nonsense.”
Balan decided to use the clip after a friend shared it, wanting to introduce a new generation to this key historical figure.
The video’s other highlight is its infusion of dikir barat, a traditional Malay musical performance.
Balan said the art form has always been part of his life, from school performances to famous 90s public service announcements.
“I had this idea to open the doors for the closed-minded Indians, Malays, and Chinese so that they could embrace Malaysia,” he said. “Music is the only way because there are no social classes, no status, religion, or even language when it comes to music.”
“You can use it to inspire or to destroy, and I choose to inspire.”