Popular KDM Song: Composer wins big
Published on: Tuesday, May 21, 2019
By: Ricardo Unto
KOTA KINABALU: Local composer Benn Simon Bukag was all smiles as he walked away with three prizes at the inaugural Popular KDM Song Competition (JLPKDM).
Benn’s compositions “Aaratan” and “Siou Koupusaanku” grabbed the first and second spots, respectively.
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For “Aaratan”, which was sang by Elica Paujin, Benn received RM7,000 and a trophy while receiving another RM5,000 for the self-performed “Siou Koupusaanku”.
Benn added another RM1,500 into his winning purse by grabbing the Best Performance prize.
“Aaratan” and “Siou Koupusanku” were among 10 Kadazandusun Murut songs contested at the Hongkod Koisaan Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), near here, Sunday.
Elated with the big victory, Benn said he did not expect to win.
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“I would like to thank the JLPKDM organisers for selecting three of my songs to compete in the competition,” he said when met after the prize-giving ceremony.
“I am grateful that two of them won tonight (Sunday).”
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He disclosed “Aaratan” was completed in March and had only been released in April.
“The hardest part was the lyrics as I came up with the melody spontaneously… I made it specifically to suit Elica’s vocal range and according to her request,” he said.
On JLPKDM, he said, the event should be held annually as it can generate a significant impact on the local music scene.
“The event can motivate local composers to produce more quality songs.”
In third place was “Tangi Nu Huang” composed by Sharin Amud Shapri and sang by Rosario Bianis. Sharin brought home RM3,000 and a trophy.
Rosario also won RM1,500 for the Best Vocal prize.
The other songs contested in the competition were “Goudut” composed by Douglas Henry and performed by Dyandra Justin, “Isai Oku” (Arie F Sius/Suili George), “Nasindualan” (Sharin Amud Shapri/Rushdy Raphael), “Nokuro Koh Koupusan” (Benn Simon Bukag/Eiffel Pailus), “Pokurozon Ku” (Anak), “Sopi Upus Sopirati” (Sekar Madusa/S Welly and Marlleynney), and “Poihoon Zou Daa Diau” (Becker Ray Benedict and Laura Bernard/Becker Ray Benedict).
In another category, the famous “Original Sabahan” by the duo Atmosfera won the Sabahan Popular Song to earn RM5,000 and a trophy.
Unlike the 10 songs in the Popular KDM Song Competition which were assessed by a panel of judges, the winner for the Sabahan Popular Song was determined through a Facebook poll.
Organising chairman Abu Bakar Ellah said the songs were selected based on their popularity on local radio stations’ airplay and charts as well as YouTube views.
JLPKDM was part of the run-up events leading to the climax of the State Kaamatan Festival celebration at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA.
Meanwhile, Infrastructure Development Minister-cum-State Kaamatan Festival Organising Chairman Datuk Peter Anthony said the event aimed at giving recognition to local composers, lyricists and singers in upholding the usage of native languages in their works.
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