Malaysia’s music scene is bursting with talent; there’s never been a better time to discover new artists and songs. Artists all over the country continue to create hits that are getting tons of attention online! This blog showcases some of the hottest up-and-coming Malay songs from Malaysia’s most exciting singers.
From catchy pop tunes to heartfelt ballads, these songs will surely get you grooving and singing along. So, whether you’re a longtime fan of Malay music or just getting into it, read on to discover the latest and greatest from Malaysia’s music scene.
The Best Malay Songs You Need To Hear Today
Amaran – Siti Nordiana & Bunga
The Malay word amaran means “warning” in English – which is what this song is about! Amaran joins the ranks of songs that empower women, and it deserves its slot.
The song is about an older woman warning a younger one about a man’s womanizing ways. In it, the song tells that younger woman to be strong for herself and avoid drama as much as possible because she’s worth more than it. The video is also a rockin’ tribute to women and their strength! The lyrics even reference the kancil, a popular children’s folk tale.
Amaran is a collaboration between Siti Nordiana & Bunga. The former is one of Malaysia’s most famous personalities. She started her career at 15 with six albums under her belt. The latter, Bunga, is a popular rapper/singer in Malaysia, who once dreamed of becoming a politician, but ended up focusing on her music!
Best Line Of The Song
| English | Malay |
| ‘Cause a cheat stays a cheater, they’ll always stay the same Too much pretending, they’re filled with drama Drama? Yes, drama, drama! How much will you mess with my head? I’m done with it! (ha, two, three, let’s go!) | ‘Cause a cheat, stays a cheater dan kau masih yang sama Banyak sangat wayang, penuh dengan drama Drama? Ya drama, drama Kepala semak nak berapa banyak? Serik dah ku tak nak (ha, two, three, leggo) |
Sumpah – Naim Daniel
Sumpah by Naim Daniel is one of the most popular songs in Malaysia. Once you understand the lyrics, you’ll get precisely why. The word means “swear” in English. The song is about a man pining for a woman and being crestfallen about her departure. Yep, we’ve all been there, Naim Daniel.
Naim Daniel is a master lyricist and singer from Kuala Lumpur who has penned many Malay songs that became hits nationwide. The content he produces speaks to the sadness many of us feel, which allows his songs to hit just that harder. This is one of those songs that make you realize how pain in music is universal – no need for translation!
Best Line Of The Song
| English | Malay |
| I hope you hear What I have whispered all this time Without you, life is meaningless If the moon stops glowing Please light the darkness up, even just a little | ‘Ku harap kau mendengar apa yang ‘Ku bisikan selama ini Tanpamu seluruh nyawa tak bermakna Andai rembulan tidak lagi mampu bercahaya Terangilah gelapku walau dalam gelita |
Kau Ilhamku – Man Bai
Kau Ilhamku translates to “You’re My Inspiration” in English, and Man Bai has managed to deliver one of the best songs about love, loss, and gratitude through it. The song speaks about someone declaring gratitude towards those who gave them the strength to keep going. Man Bai pays tribute to the people who inspired his music in the video.
The song has been a mainstay in Malaysia’s karaoke bars, blasting from speakers from every street corner. Its popularity has been attributed to its simple yet heartfelt lyrics; we see why! The song was released with a new version in 2020 to celebrate its longevity as one of the best Malay songs ever.
Best Line Of The Song
| English | Malay |
| Thousands of stars in the sky Have started to disappear I lost my grip in the dark The full moon Is looking so dim now Like my inspiration That has started to fade away. | Beribu bintang dilangit Kini menghilang Meraba aku dalam kelam Rembulan mengambang Kini makin suram Pudar ilhamku tanpa arah |
Sakit – Achey
When we chanced upon this gem in search of the best Malay songs, we didn’t initially know how to feel. But eventually, Sakit (“pain” in English) won us over. It wasn’t just the heartfelt singing, the 80’s inspired guitar solos or the video – it was the whole package. The song is one significant comment against people who judge others based on their hobbies!
The song is about someone acknowledging that they’re incompatible with someone they thought they loved. But while that’s simple enough to understand, the video takes it to another level. Just watch it, trust us. Achey’s producer is Seventeen Eleven Music, one of Malaysia’s top indie labels.
Best Line Of The Song
| English | Malay |
| You don’t need to say That you’re not the best for me You’re trying to be The best for him | Tak perlu kau ucap Kau bukan terbaik buat diriku Sedang kau cuba menjadi Yang terbaik untuk dirinya |
#AwakKatMane – Taufik Batisah
Awak kat mane means “where are you” in English, and this song is about exactly that! It tells the story of a guy getting irritated by how often his girlfriend calls him to ask where he is. The guy responds by gaslighting his girlfriend and asking her to trust him. Scummy, we know – but sometimes music has its bad genres, too.
But the song still has 8.6 million views on YouTube, and if you get over the problematic lyrics, you end up with one of the boppiest Malay songs in this list. The data doesn’t lie: the song mixes fun samples, easy-to-follow lyrics, and a fun melody to bounce to! Sometimes, music isn’t about the song lyrics – it’s about the feeling those songs give you!
Best Line Of The Song
| English | Malay |
| Where are you, where are you? Where are you, where are you? She always asks. | Awak kat mane, awak awak kat mane? Awak kat mane, awak awak kat mane? Di tanya tanya lagi |
Santai – Faizal Tahir
Out of all the love songs here, this is the first one about familial love instead of romantic love – and we’re all about this type of content! Not only is this a bop, but it’s also a loving story about a dad wanting his daughter to slow down when finding a boyfriend – there’s no need to rush. She should santai (relax!)
It’s one of the most famous Malay songs on YouTube, with over 4.5 million views on YouTube Music. The video is hilarious and pokes a bit of fun at Malaysia’s dating culture and how dads can be overbearing when their daughters turn into women. Overall, Faizal Tahir created a great comment about how a dad always wants the best for his daughter – be it in Malaysia or other parts of the world.
Best Line Of The Song
| English | Malay |
| Relax, my love Follow me, trust me This old horse may not be fast But it’s steady and solid | Santai-santai lah, sayang ku Ikat aku, usah ragu Kuda tua mungkin tak laju Masih steady, masih padu |
Kong Kali Kong – Floor 88 & Namie
Kong Kali Kong (time and time again) is a fun, pop-rocky number that has a deeper underlying meaning, once you start to understand the lyrics. It tells the story of the struggles of workers in Malaysia: having a low salary, dealing with the rising cost of living, and even heavy car traffic.
The music video betrays its underlying meaning by showing off its fun visuals. Still, if you pay close attention to what they’re singing, it’s actually a commentary against the capitalist sentiment that many Malaysians have to face every day. This is perhaps the most badass way to protest ever!
Best Line Of The Song
| English | Malay |
| The cost of living and soaring The salary is not enough I have so much work piled up! | Kos hidup melambung Gaji tak untung Kerja aku banyak bertimbun timbun |
Learn The Words To Malay Songs With Ling App
Now that you’ve had a taste of what modern Malaysian songs sound like, you should pick up a Malay language class to immerse yourself in the music more. Well, you’re in luck because we’ve got those and more!
The Ling app features lessons in Bahasa Melayu and 60+ different languages. With lessons crafted by teachers and native speakers, the Ling app provides a learning platform for people of all skill levels!
Learn Malay today by downloading the Ling app for your Android or iPhone.
