Wild-haired, ever-smiling and with a funky sense of style, the artiste is the Malaysian personification of reggae. Little wonder there: his dream is to spread the Asian reggae movement throughout the world, popularizing an understated music form which many appreciate but few really understand.
“Reggae isn't taken seriously in Asia, where rap, rock and hip hop take centre stage in music,” says Sasidharan Chandran, the man behind the Don's persona. “But you hear it in clubs, on the radio, on TV. Why isn't there a greater expression of it in the live music scene?”
“Reggae isn't taken seriously in Asia, where rap, rock and hip hop take centre stage in music,” says Sasidharan Chandran, the man behind the Don's persona. “But you hear it in clubs, on the radio, on TV. Why isn't there a greater expression of it in the live music scene?”
Because, he answers himself, it's difficult to start something new, to go against music with proven local commercial success
and acceptance.
From the time he launched himself as an artiste, Sasi proved he had a winning formula in hand, taking home the Malaysia’s Most Popular Malaysian Indian Artiste title twice in a row (2001 and 2002) and being selected as a Reggae Ambassador to Malaysia and South Asia by Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide in 2002 as a recognition for his contribution to the music form. He was also nominated for Best English Album in both the AIM and Anugerah Era awards in 2007.
and acceptance.
From the time he launched himself as an artiste, Sasi proved he had a winning formula in hand, taking home the Malaysia’s Most Popular Malaysian Indian Artiste title twice in a row (2001 and 2002) and being selected as a Reggae Ambassador to Malaysia and South Asia by Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide in 2002 as a recognition for his contribution to the music form. He was also nominated for Best English Album in both the AIM and Anugerah Era awards in 2007.
Because, he answers himself, it's difficult to start something new, to go against music with proven local commercial success and acceptance.
From the time he launched himself as an artiste, Sasi proved he had a winning formula in hand, taking home the Malaysia’s Most Popular Malaysian Indian Artiste title twice in a row (2001 and 2002) and being selected as a Reggae Ambassador to Malaysia and South Asia by Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide in 2002 as a recognition for his contribution to the music form. He was also nominated for Best English Album in both the AIM and Anugerah Era awards in 2007.
Years down the road, Sasi is Malaysia's and South East Asia’s biggest reggae icon, necessitating the creation of a term for the local flava he inserts into international beats: Asian Dancehall. Since breaking out in the music scene in 2001, Sasi has an impressive number of English, Malay and Tamil fusion hits under his belt, including Anbe (My Love), Hey General, Hold Up feat. Apache Indian, Yardy Gal, Suatu Impian feat. Amy Search, The Tide is High and Music in Me feat. Apache Indian. Most of his smashing singles were written by creative minds who had backed the singer from his early days, such as Damian Mikhail Seet, D’Navigator, Fasy (Maldives) and No Jokes (Sweden).
From the time he launched himself as an artiste, Sasi proved he had a winning formula in hand, taking home the Malaysia’s Most Popular Malaysian Indian Artiste title twice in a row (2001 and 2002) and being selected as a Reggae Ambassador to Malaysia and South Asia by Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide in 2002 as a recognition for his contribution to the music form. He was also nominated for Best English Album in both the AIM and Anugerah Era awards in 2007.
Years down the road, Sasi is Malaysia's and South East Asia’s biggest reggae icon, necessitating the creation of a term for the local flava he inserts into international beats: Asian Dancehall. Since breaking out in the music scene in 2001, Sasi has an impressive number of English, Malay and Tamil fusion hits under his belt, including Anbe (My Love), Hey General, Hold Up feat. Apache Indian, Yardy Gal, Suatu Impian feat. Amy Search, The Tide is High and Music in Me feat. Apache Indian. Most of his smashing singles were written by creative minds who had backed the singer from his early days, such as Damian Mikhail Seet, D’Navigator, Fasy (Maldives) and No Jokes (Sweden).
His strong vocal talents, determination and positivity also attracted the attention of other renowned artistes, leading to collaborations with his idol, Dr. Alban, Apache Indian, Malaysian Rock Legend Amy Search and renowned World Music Artiste Zainal Abidin amongst others. International big names began hearing about the Malaysian born-and-bred homeboy, and he was given the honour of welcoming onstage the likes of Jay Sean, Shaggy and Apache Indian during their tours or stops here.
Collaborations are proof to Sasi that music is a bridge, able to overcome age, colour and creed.
“A song on its own is a bridge between melody and lyrics, connecting them in a smooth harmony. Music unites us, brings us together. It's a bridge across race and religion, uniting people across the world to spread a message.”
Collaborations are proof to Sasi that music is a bridge, able to overcome age, colour and creed.
“A song on its own is a bridge between melody and lyrics, connecting them in a smooth harmony. Music unites us, brings us together. It's a bridge across race and religion, uniting people across the world to spread a message.”
While such fame and recognition might have swayed the heads of lesser men, the genre's key message of peace and love has kept Sasi focused on the mission of his music.
“Reggae is all about looking at the big picture. It's about forgetting our differences and remembering to love one another.
“There are bigger things out there, beyond what we see and hear and touch. There is more to the world than our petty conflicts and trials. There is a need to stay united, to stay strong together. Reggae reminds us of this, and has done more to solve conflict than any other music genre in the world.”
Sasi looks up to the legendary Bob Marley as the ambassador of love, inspired by his music and the great love he had for life. Like his idol, the Don sends out messages in his songs that inspire his fans. The 1,335,000 hits he’s had on MySpace in the four years he’s been active online speak for themselves, with Music in Me feat Dr.Alban being the most-listened to track on MySpace and Hold Up with Apache Indian on YouTube.
“Reggae is all about looking at the big picture. It's about forgetting our differences and remembering to love one another.
“There are bigger things out there, beyond what we see and hear and touch. There is more to the world than our petty conflicts and trials. There is a need to stay united, to stay strong together. Reggae reminds us of this, and has done more to solve conflict than any other music genre in the world.”
Sasi looks up to the legendary Bob Marley as the ambassador of love, inspired by his music and the great love he had for life. Like his idol, the Don sends out messages in his songs that inspire his fans. The 1,335,000 hits he’s had on MySpace in the four years he’s been active online speak for themselves, with Music in Me feat Dr.Alban being the most-listened to track on MySpace and Hold Up with Apache Indian on YouTube.
Sasi the Don and Sasidharan Chandran are two different personalities. While both are incredibly friendly, sincere and humble, the Don enjoys performing for an excited crowd while Sasi is more of a “Chill with me, brother” sorta guy.
In fact, the man has psychologically separated himself so thoroughly from the Don that he even refers to his on-stage enigma in the third person.
“Sasi the Don is proud to take Malaysians on this journey to discover reggae,” says Sasi. Confusing? Slightly. Pretentious? Hardly. In fact, it's precisely this attitude that keeps the man so grounded and down-to -earth.
Sasi is ready to take the music world by storm and spread the reggae movement around the globe, especially to his fellow Asians throughout the world.
In fact, the man has psychologically separated himself so thoroughly from the Don that he even refers to his on-stage enigma in the third person.
“Sasi the Don is proud to take Malaysians on this journey to discover reggae,” says Sasi. Confusing? Slightly. Pretentious? Hardly. In fact, it's precisely this attitude that keeps the man so grounded and down-to -earth.
Sasi is ready to take the music world by storm and spread the reggae movement around the globe, especially to his fellow Asians throughout the world.
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