And I often ask myself; where did this ‘talent’ come from?
No doubt the answer that the genes and roots, of musically inclined family backgrounds helped me become the ‘little miss jukebox’ I am today.
Though I don’t need to go far, because the man that brought me to life, educating me ever since I was in the womb of my Mother, to love music, to understand the real meaning of what music is, of what art is, and he did it, and managed to make me, (and my siblings) the people we are today, the kinds that cannot live a day without music stuck in our heads. Yes, he is a man with nothing but ‘soul & rhythm’.
He is the one and only, “G” Funk; my father, Najee Abdullah.
As I was doing my usual Facebook checking, I stumbled upon an old picture of my father in his good old days. He was part of a group that was famous for their “Hip Hop” scene (music & the rising of Hip Hop in Malaysia), back in the 80’s and 90’s ; which was famously known as “KRASH KOZZ”.
KRASH KOZZ (from left; Fawzi, Albert & Najee)
Interested to read up about them, I did my research and managed to find a Blogger, 'Man of the Streets' with his blog title 'The Documentist Ride', with one of his blog post on 'This (Incomplete) History of Malaysian Hip Hop.', which was actually written for The Malay Mail.
A piece from the article on how Hip Hop industry came up in Malaysia, and how Krash Kozz made it all happen.
THE BEGINNINGS: 1989 – 1994
"OUR earliest recollection of hip-hop music in popular
culture can be trace to the movies Breakin’, Breakin’ II: Eletric Boogaloo and
Beatstreet. All of which came out in 1984.
As for musically, hip-hop were basically unknown to many until 1989 when a group of four people – Najee, Jakeman (yup, the same man behind hitz.fm Malaysian English Top 10), DJ Gabriel and a vocalist called Suresh – released a mixtape under the moniker Krash Kozz. The man behind the whole thing was Joe Siva, who was also the main person behind Valentine Sound Production (VSP), one of the early hotbeds for local fringe acts and releases.
As for musically, hip-hop were basically unknown to many until 1989 when a group of four people – Najee, Jakeman (yup, the same man behind hitz.fm Malaysian English Top 10), DJ Gabriel and a vocalist called Suresh – released a mixtape under the moniker Krash Kozz. The man behind the whole thing was Joe Siva, who was also the main person behind Valentine Sound Production (VSP), one of the early hotbeds for local fringe acts and releases.
The mix tape, Pump it Up, was a hit in the booming club scene
at that time with more than 10,000 copies sold. It was also certified by
Billboard magazine as the first hip-hop album to be recorded by a Malaysian
artiste!
With a new line-up – Najee, Noramin and Joe Siva- the group then released its self-titled four-song EP in 1992.
With a new line-up – Najee, Noramin and Joe Siva- the group then released its self-titled four-song EP in 1992.
In the same year, Siva hooked up with Mohd Firhad Ahmad (now
head of Zezz Entertainment) and the friendship led to a musical change for
Krash Kozz.
Firhad, by the way, was the man who was responsible for introducing NEW JACK SWING(NJS) to the Malaysian public. He initiated the launch of NJS – yup, it was a party to introduced the music style – that was held at The Baze (the premier R&B/hip-hop club then) in November 1992.
Firhad, by the way, was the man who was responsible for introducing NEW JACK SWING(NJS) to the Malaysian public. He initiated the launch of NJS – yup, it was a party to introduced the music style – that was held at The Baze (the premier R&B/hip-hop club then) in November 1992.
In December 23 of that year, he and Siva had a phone
conversation with Teddy Riley, the NJS Godfather, who told them to spread the
NJS craze in this country.
Well, Riley’s wish was granted as Krash Kozz third album,
New Jack The Streetbeat, that was released in April 1993, became a big hit.
Recorded by the new line-up of Najee, Fawzi and Albert, the
10-song album is a collection of NJS tunes that were fused with elements of
jazz, gospel, R&B, classical rap and pop.
Songs like the English version of Fiona
(originally recorded by one of the first local pop-rap groups 4U2C), the group’s
interpretation of Berhati-Hati Di Jalanraya, Pada Kasih Cinta Berbunga and Give
It All You’ve Got powered the album national success. It made NJS the hottest
thing back then.
It got so big that even the “King of NJS”, Bobby Brown, flew
into the country for a sold-out concert at Putra World Trade Centre’s Merdeka
Hall on May 3, 1993.
Whilst others tried to come up with the hip hop elements and background, Krash Kozz, went on to achieve bigger things after the release of their third album. First, they were invited to perform at the First Asian Dance Music Convention in Manila alongside Lisa Stansfield, Black Machine and Apache Indian in June 1993. They then went on to perform at World DJ Mixing Finals that was held at Ministry of Sound in London in January 1994. Sadly, that was also their last performance as the group disbanded as soon as they arrived home in Malaysia."
Yes, sadly Krash Kozz has broken up but to me, and to many others out there, their music would live on forever.
Favourite tracks from their album, such as;
Whilst others tried to come up with the hip hop elements and background, Krash Kozz, went on to achieve bigger things after the release of their third album. First, they were invited to perform at the First Asian Dance Music Convention in Manila alongside Lisa Stansfield, Black Machine and Apache Indian in June 1993. They then went on to perform at World DJ Mixing Finals that was held at Ministry of Sound in London in January 1994. Sadly, that was also their last performance as the group disbanded as soon as they arrived home in Malaysia."
Yes, sadly Krash Kozz has broken up but to me, and to many others out there, their music would live on forever.
Favourite tracks from their album, such as;
- Krash Kozz New Jack the Street Beat (Give it all You Got)
http://youtu.be/U0AC-0PObSA - Fiona (English Version)
http://youtu.be/VKNK-shfsy8 - Berhati-hati Di Jalan Raya
http://youtu.be/b_qHQ17nxAE - Pada Kasih Cinta Berbunga
http://youtu.be/mj81kNodDJw
Hey..say thanx to ur dad!
ReplyDeleteHey..say thanx to ur dad!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to learn of the passing of Najee. Deepest condolences to all his relatives and friends and those who have collaborated with him musically and entertainment wise over the years - the members of Krash Kozz and their fans and the VSP stable that was - Firhad and Joe Siva. Thanks for the music and support for the New Jack Swing concept and realisation. We should like to know about any of this NJS music still being played in KL - from Markiza & Peter Hassan Brown (Passion - Open Secret - http://www.lemang.com )
ReplyDelete