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

Project Zero : A Journey to discover the Singapore Sound

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series mooted and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-hyphenate artist who is an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter.

Across the episodes, we explore the unique challenges and boundless potential of the Singaporean music scene with the creme de la creme of the homegrown music fraternity.

Each episode features discussions on cultural influences, collaborative synergies, and the evolution of the music scene, aiming to challenge stereotypes and to foster appreciation for the diversity of musical expressions in Singapore. The series seeks to uncover how various musicians/artists can potentially come together to define what we can proudly call the Singapore Sound.

Follow our host
Shabir Sulthan:   / shabirmusic  

Guest Artistes:
Follow Sezairi Sezali   / sezairi  
Follow Dick Lee   / dickleeparadise  

Follow Shabir Music Asia / shabirmusicasia for more updates on Project Zero

Website: www.shabirmusicasia.com