Datuk Ramli bin Sarip (born 15 October 1952),[1] also known as "Papa Rock",[2][3] is a Singaporean musician, singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. He is also one of the pioneers of Singapore's rock scene.[4] Ramli was the front man and lead singer of the Singapore-based heavy metal-rock group Sweet Charity until 1986.
Ramli Sarip | |
|---|---|
 Ramli performing on Anugerah MeleTOP Era 2015. | |
| Born | Ramli bin Sarip 15 October 1952 Kampong Lorong Chamar, Bukit Timah, Colony of Singapore |
| Nationality | Singaporean |
| Other names | Papa Rock |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Rock music |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
He was given the title of 'Datuk' by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of the State of Malacca on the occasion of the latter's birthday in 2013.[5]
Career
edit1964–1986: Sweet Charity
editEstablished in 1964,[6] the Singapore-based[7] Malay rock band Sweet Charity had Ramli as its frontman and lead singer until he left in 1986.[3] Sweet Charity was reportedly so successful in the 1970s to the 1980s that they ignited a "rock explosion" in both Singapore and Malaysia.[8]
After 1986: Solo career and other endeavours
editFor some time, Ramli was signed under Warner Music.[6] Ramli is credited as the "first Malay rock singer to hold two solo concerts at the Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur."[6] He was awarded the COMPASS Artistic Excellence Award in 1998.[9] He formed five-piece band, Sangkakala, to serve as his backing band. [10] A 1990 Malaysian Hari Raya Puasa television special Bersama Ramli Sarip, in which Ramli hosted, was released on the first day of the season.[10] Three years later, Radio Televisyen Malaysia had imposed a seven-year ban on him due to him maintaining his long hair, which was a strict performing no-no from the broadcaster at the time.[6]
Ramli was a vocalist for the 2011 remake of "Home".[11] As of 2011, Ramli has released 12 solo albums.[1] He also starred in Talking Cock the Movie,[12] a Singaporean satirical film in 2002. In 2019, after being critically criticised[13] and lambasted[14] for sung the "soulful" and "soul-stirring" version of Singapore's national anthem, he stays low profile for quite some time, whereby even Dr. Rohana Zubir (daughter of the late Zubir Said who was the original composer) came out to criticise heavily the rocker's rendition in an open letter in public, she wrote that, "Sadly, the revised rendition of 'Majulah Singapura' lacks the quality, the oomph, of a national anthem. It is rather tortuous to listen to."[15][16] She further added: "The people of Singapore are wonderfully creative but this creativity should not extend to meddling with the musical score of the country's national anthem. This is one area where there should not be change. It is also important for Singaporeans to be proud of their history and to respect individuals, such as my father, for their contribution to nation-building."
2019 National Day Parade
editIn 2019, Ramil Sarip performed "Majulah Singapura" at the National Day Parade.[citation needed]
Honours
editHonours of Malaysia
edit
Malacca :
Companion Class II of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DPSM) - Datuk (2013)[17]
References
edit- ^ a b Hasnurul Mohamed (15 March 2011). "Perjalanan Ramli Sarip" (in Malay). Utusan.
- ^ Rasul, Juliana June (7 June 2012). "'Papa Rocker' hits a spiritual high". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ a b Lockard, Craig A (1998). Dance of life: popular music and politics in Southeast Asia. University of Hawaii Press. p. 257. ISBN 9780824819187.
- ^ Rahman, Saat A. (2002). In quest of excellence: a story of Singapore Malays. p. 76. ISBN 9789810473839.
- ^ "Ramli Sarip, Rosyam Nor, Kim Swee dianugerah gelaran Datuk". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 13 October 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d Tiong, John (22 January 2012). "Inspiring Water Dragons". New Straits Times – via AsiaOne.
- ^ World and Its Peoples: Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Brunei. Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 2007. p. 1281. ISBN 9780761476429.
- ^ Travel Singapore: Illustrated Travel Guide, Phrasebook, and Maps. MobileReference. 2007. p. 175. ISBN 9781605010151.
- ^ "Ramli Sarip 'SADAQA'". insing.com. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ a b "Hari Raya with Ramli Sarip and friends". New Straits Times. 22 March 1990. p. 25.
- ^ "Keeping our home together". AsiaOne. 11 January 2011.
- ^ Tan, Kenneth Paul (2007). Renaissance Singapore?: economy, culture, and politics. NUS Press. ISBN 9789971693770.
- ^ AsiaOne.com
- ^ hermes (9 August 2019). "Rocker's emotional take on national anthem stirs debate". The Straits Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- ^ "Every national anthem "deserves to be sacred", not to be "experimented with": Dr Rohana Zubir, daughter of "Majulah Singapura" composer, on Ramli Sarip's new rendition". 6 December 2019.
- ^ "'Majulah Singapura' composer's daughter says Ramli Sarip's rendition is "rather tortuous to listen to"". 9 December 2019.
- ^ "Star-studded awards ceremony". Bernama. The Star. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2018.