Malaysian popular music
[2] Bangsawan troupes originated in the 19th century as a form of opera called wayang parsi that developed as an adaptation of Persian theatre brought to Malaya by performers from Bombay.
[1] They portrayed stories from diverse groups such as Indian, Western, Islamic, Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay, with music, dance, and costumed acting.
In the pre-World War II era, songs based on Anglo-American and Latin American dance music sung in Malay were popular.
Bands like Alleycats, Headwind, Discovery, Carefree, and Cenderawasih took the lead to modernize Malaysian pop music, together with solo artists such as Sudirman Arshad and Sharifah Aini.
In 1991, Zainalabidin [ms]—who was a member of the rock act Headwind—released a self-titled solo album, incorporating elements of world music, with lyrics that carried social and environmental commentary.
Other popular artists during this decade included Aris Ariwatan, Fauziah Latiff, Aishah, Hattan, Awie, Ziana Zain, Ning Baizura, Ella, Amy Mastura, Sheila Majid, Aishah, Rahim Maarof, Jamal, Ella, Fauziah Latiff, M. Nasir, Ukays, Amy Mastura, Awie, Aris, and Ziana Zain, along with pop bands such as Slam, Ukays, and Spring.
In 1996, a schoolgirl by the name of Siti Nurhaliza from the rural town of Kuala Lipis, Pahang, released a pop melayu album produced by Adnan Abu Hassan, which proved a huge success.
In the 2000s, Malaysian popular music moved toward progressive pop composition, with singers like Siti Nurhaliza, Liza Hanim, Dayang Nurfaizah, and Misha Omar, many of whom were discovered and eventually produced by Adnan Abu Hassan.
Several boy bands also joined the ranks of pop superstars during this time, including Innuendo, Indigo, Option 1, Ruffedge, VE, and Phyne Ballerz.
Audiences developed an interest in pop rock during the 2000s as well, with notable artists including Exists, Spider, OAG, Flop Poppy, Butterfingers, Def Gab C, Pretty Ugly, Ezlynn, Elyana, and Ajai & Nurul.
Some of the names who gained prominence this way include Jaclyn Victor, Mawi, Stacy Anam, Aizat Amdan, Akim Ahmad, and Hafiz Suip.
Dangdut made a comeback in the 2010s, with names like Shiha Zikir, Syura Badron, and Baby Shima Megat, who obtained record deals with Indonesian labels.
Dance genres and hip hop also remained popular, with such prominent artists as Sonaone, Defam, Aman Ra, Yonnyboi, K-Clique, Kid Santhe, Nanasheme, Ismail Izzani, As'ad Motawh, Andi Bernadee, and Naim Daniel.
