Project Zero : A Journey to discover the Singapore Sound

In the finale episode of Project Zero, join host Shabir Sulthan as we delve into the journey from competition winners to established music artists with Sezairi and Shabir. They discuss the challenges and transitions from being an Singapore Idol or a Vasantham Star to carving out a lasting career in music. Adding depth to the conversation, legendary judge and artist Dick Lee shares his insights on witnessing these trajectories first hand.

They consider whether a strong sense of identity and connection to roots empowers Singaporean artists on Asian and global stages. Additionally, they engage in a thought experiment on creating a project that defines the Singapore sound or a truly Singaporean work with unlimited resources. Join us for an insightful conversation uncovering the stories, challenges, and creative visions shaping Singapore's music scene.

Chapters :

00:00 - Intro
00:26 - What does it take for a Singaporean artist to lean into their roots?
04:46 - Does exploring your roots impact your art?
07:39 - The story behind the iconic song "Home"
09:00 - How did Singapore's National Anthem inspire Sezairi when he wrote his album?
10:45 - Reality TV singing competition and the REALITY after
16:47 - Leaving the country to discover our Singapore Sound
29:58 - Using the soundtrack approach and meld a Singapore Sound.
34:32 - Closing Words
36:47 - Credits

Guest Artistes:
Follow Sezairi Sezali
Follow Dick Lee 

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

In this episode of Project Zero, we dive into the dynamic world of hip hop in Singapore with three influential  artists. ABANGSAPAU, a fearless Malay-Sikh hip hop artist, breaks boundaries and boldly represents his cultural roots. Axel Brizzy, the youngest rapper to conquer the local iTunes Hip-Hop charts, has amassed millions of streams and bagged awards with his viral hit, 'Thursday'. Sheikh Haikel, the godfather of Singapore's rap scene, has been setting trends since winning the Asia Bagus Grand Championship in 1991. Join us for heated discussions and surprising insights as explore the pulse of the Singapore Sound through Hip Hop.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro
02:40 - Bringing your authenticity as an artiste to the audience
19:02 - What does Singapore have to offer to the world of Hip-Hop?
27:12 - Bringing Singapore music to an international stage
40:42 - Building and preserving your artistic authenticity
49:49 - The importance of platforms, cross-collaborations and collective consciousness
54:32 - Freestyle Rap Performance by Sheikh Haikel, ABANGSAPAU & Axel Brizzy
01:01:15 - Conclusion
01:04:43 - Credits

Guest Artistes:
Follow ABANGSAPAU
Follow Sheikh Haikel
Follow Axel Brizzy 

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

In the 1st part final episode of Project Zero, join host Shabir Sulthan as he sits down with two icons of Singapore's music scene: Dick Lee, the legendary singer-songwriter known for pioneering the integration of Asian elements into pop music, and Sezairi Sezali, a celebrated musician and singer-songwriter who won Singapore Idol in 2009. Together, they explore the concept of the "Singapore sound" and what it means to be a Singaporean artist.

Dick Lee shares insights from his illustrious career, discussing how his music ranges from distinctly Singaporean themes to international appeal, with hits like "The Mad Chinaman," "Home," and "Fried Rice Paradise." Sezairi reflects on his journey from reality show winner to established artist, his experience at the Java Jazz Festival, and the bilingualism in his album "Self Soothing."

The conversation also delves into the challenges and opportunities for Singaporean artists branching out into international markets. They examine the unique blend of cultural influences that shape Singaporean music and consider whether a strong cultural identity empowers artists on the global stage.

Chapters :

00:00 - Introduction
02:07 - What does it mean to be Singaporean?
05:36 - Tracing your cultural roots to form your own musical identity.
13:48 - How Sezairi brought in his Singaporeaness into his songs
17:43 - Dick's journey in creating his rendition of the Singapore Sound
23:11 - The Story behind Shabir's Singai Naadu
28:27 - Chan Mali Chan is from Indonesia ?
32:01 - How important is ha
35:20 - Bilingualism in Singapore and Its Impact on an Artist's Creative Process
39:11 - Leaning into your cultural backdrop and using that as an impetus to write new songs.
45:57 - Credits

Guest Artistes:
Follow Sezairi Sezali 
Follow Dick Lee 

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

In this enriching episode, we delve into the evolution of a unique Singapore sound with two stalwarts in the local music scene: Professor Jeremy Monteiro and Dr. Samuel Wong.

Professor Jeremy Monteiro, often hailed as Singapore's "King of Swing," is one of the key pioneers of jazz in the region. With over 25 jazz albums and collaborations with international artists, Jeremy has creatively blended various ethnic music traditions with jazz, crafting a distinct rendition that resonates with the multicultural fabric of Singapore.

Dr. Samuel Wong, co-founder and creative director of the TENG Company, brings a scholarly approach to his work with Chinese classical music. Through his research and innovative projects, Sam explores the therapeutic aspects of music, such as using binaural beats for mindfulness and anxiety reduction. He has also documented unique musical instruments and styles within Singapore's Teochew community, contributing to a broader understanding and appreciation of these cultural expressions.

Together, Jeremy and Sam discuss how their respective works—exploring the fusion of jazz with ethnic music traditions and the integration of classical elements with contemporary innovation—have helped them in their discovery of the "Singapore sound." This episode offers an insightful look into the lesser-known aspects of Singapore's musical landscape, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry that makes the city's soundscape truly unique.

Join us as we uncover the stories, influences, and creative processes behind these groundbreaking musical journeys.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
02:47 - Early days of Singapore Music
05:26 - Navigating between the different generations
18:41 - Getting addicted to Instant Gratification with Social Media
27:23 - How has the Jazz scene evolved in Singapore?
31:41 - Music, Spirituality & Human Evolution
39:49 - How can Music & Art help build our Singaporean identity?
49:10 - Introducing Singapore's rich musical diversity to a global audience
54:45 - TENG's role in empowering Singaporeans through music
01:10:19 - Closing Words
01:15:31 - Credits

Guest Artistes:
Follow Prof. Jeremy Monteiro
Follow Dr Samuel Wong

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

In this episode of Project Zero, we are joined by two influential figures in the Singaporean music scene. Joakim Gomez, a celebrated DJ at Mediacorp’s 987 and JJ Neo, an innovative indie electronica artist who has been collaborating with music producers from the US, UK, France, and Australia since 2015.

Together, Joakim and JJ delve into pressing questions: Are Singaporeans supportive of their homegrown talents?  Do organizations and brands prioritize follower count over actual talent? And what is the untapped potential of the Singaporean artist?

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
04:20 - Joakim and JJ Neo’s relationship with music
07:44 - Do Singaporean artists leverage on their diverse influence?
11:35 - How social media has changed the landscape of music?
19:15 - Potential ways to create music which Singaporeans can identify with
22:12 - Do Singaporeans even care about our local music?
29:05 - Artists that have attempted to represent the "Singapore sound' in their works.
43:15 - Do we need more platforms in order to explore our identity?
57:50 - Embracing our Singaporean culture, and figuring the way forward as Nation
1:02:22 - Conclusion
1:06:35 - Credits
 
Guest Artistes:
Follow Joakim Gomez
Follow JJ Neo

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

Please be advised that this episode of Project Zero contains some coarse language. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of Project Zero, we spotlight three leading music producers who are defining the Singaporean music scene. Akeem Jahat, known for his witty lyrics and integration of Asian culture, has a significant following in Singapore and Malaysia. Fauxe, a genre-bending producer, crafts innovative sounds that merge organic and synthetic elements. Jason, founder of Homeground Studios, has produced for many prominent local artists like Jasmine Sokko. Join us as we delve into the crucial role of music producers in defining the Singapore Sound.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro
01:20 - What is the “Singapore Sound”?
11:44 - Does our cultural diversity reflect in the music that we produce/compose?
15:22 - Is the collective consciousness that we have as music artists enough?
22:36 - You are only considered successful when you make it big internationally?
31:08 - What’s stopping Singapore musicians from taking risks?
42:52 - How can music producers break stereotypes to further push musical boundaries?
44:34 - Does it matter on which platform you release your music?
45:29 - The importance of mentorship
50:50 - Conclusion/Credits

Follow our guest artistes:
Follow Akeem Jahat
Follow Jason Gelchen
Follow Fauxe

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

Roots & Fusion - Unearthing the Essence of the Singapore Sound

Music stalwarts Wang Chenwei and Chok Kerong explore Singaporean musical roots, fusion, and the existence of a distinct "Singapore sound." They discuss their own compositions and performances, reflecting on Singapore's musical identity. In this episode, the participants don’t shy away from getting technical as they roll up their sleeves to break down fusion and more.

Episode 2 Chapters:

00:00 - Intro
01:37 - Merging classical music with the Singapore sound(s)
03:53 - Becoming genre fluid
06:25 - What is musical fusion?
10:30 - Ensuring authenticity when approaching fusion music? Part 1
13:56 - Is fixing a core genre before starting fusion a problem?
15:20 - The 4 types of fusion
17:25 - Inventing a raga inspired by Indian classical music?
23:44 - Why do we not hear fusion music as often as we should?
27:42 - Ensuring authenticity when approaching fusion music? Part 2
35:00 - Is there a Singapore sound?
42:57 - Conclusion
48:34 - Credits

Follow our guest artists:
Follow Wang Chenwei
Follow Chok Kerong

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

In this episode of Project Zero, we delve into the triumphs and challenges of crafting Singapore's iconic National Day songs and the artistry behind defining the "Singapore Sound."

Joining us are Don Richmond, an award-winning composer and music director known for his work on NDP theme songs and TV series, and Evan who has worked with renowned artists and brands, and co-arranging and co-producing NDP music from 2018 to 2021.

Explore the challenges, inspirations, and creative processes behind these national songs and discover how these producers / composers approach the idea of a Singapore Sound(s).

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:31 - What is the Singapore Sound?
07:24 - How can we infuse cultures authentically and compose a musical piece?
15:47 - The Musicians’ Collective Consciousness
18:22 - Shabir penetrates the highly competitive Kollywood industry
23:18 - What does it mean to be  uniquely Singaporean?
25:12 - The evolution of National Day Parade (NDP) songs over the years?
49:08 - The "Singapore Sound" thought experiment.
59:24 - Could NDP songs shift focus from a general theme to a specific individual?
01:04:57 - Conclusion
01:06:02 - Credits

Follow our Guest Artistes:
Follow Don Richmond
Follow Evan Low

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

Scoring Success - Redefining the Singapore Sound through Film scores

Alex Oh and Buvan are film composers and producers from Singapore. They discuss the impact of film music and its potential in uncovering the unique Singaporean sound. The supremely talented composers discuss the Black Panther score, their film score works and ask big questions that challenge our perception of what the Singapore Sound could be.

Episode 2 Chapters:

00:00 - Intro
01:44 - The Singapore Sound X Film Score
05:04 - What techniques can film composers apply to tell a story better?
15:44 - What could be the Singapore Sound in films?
19:46 - Singapore as "David" in a world of "Goliaths"
23:12 - Creating a musical score for Singapore?
29:03 - Is that our traffic light sound in a cinematic score?
30:05 - Creating a musical score for Singapore? (Cont'd)
36:18 - Conclusion
37:15 - Credits

Follow Guest Artists:
Follow Alex Oh
Follow Buvan 

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

In our debut episode, shazza and Jean Seizure, breakthrough Singaporean pop artists with international recognition, discuss topics such as identity, breaking into the global music scene, and the potential of Singaporean musicians on the world stage.

Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:17) - When did you realise you wanted to make music?
(04:03) - How did your childhood environment influence your music taste?
(09:24) - What comes to mind when I say Singapore Sound?
(13:37) - How do Singaporeans perceive the arts?
(19:22) - How do you explore your identity through music?
(28:03)- Moments where you incorporated your identity into your music
(35:17) - How would you create the Singapore Sound? (Or NDP Song?)
(46:23) - Conclusion
(48:14) - Credits

Follow our host
Shabir Sulthan

Follow our guest Artists:
shazza
Jean Seizure

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero