ALTHOUGH Malaysia does not qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Malaysians should at least be proud that the country is ‘represented’ in the once-every-four-years football tournament via home-grown controversial rapper/hip-hop artist Namewee who has just released his very own “Qatar World Cup 2022 music video” entitled Ya Gamila (Hey Pretty).
With azan (Muslim call for prayer) in the background at the onset of his musical video, the heart of his fans could be pounding hard given that the 39-year-old Muar (Johor)-hailed recording artist, composer, filmmaker and actor has gotten into trouble with the Malaysian authorities numerous times in the past for insulting Islam.
Thankfully, this time around, Namewee whose real name is Wee Meng Chee did not go overboard but instead is making waves with Muslim fans worldwide who are impressed with his talent in crooning the Arabic tune in English (of course with occasional mix of Malay words and Chinese lines which is his trademark to reflect his Malaysian identity).
In fact, in Ya Gamila – which features Malaysian ‘world music’ singer Yasin Sulaiman – Namewee can be mistaken as preaching the Islamic faith with his repetitive use of some Muslim words/phrases that are prohibited for use by non-Muslim Malaysians, notably assalamulaikum (peace be upon you); alhamdulillah (praise be to God) and Allah (Muslim God).
For his effort, Ya Gamila has over the past six days garnered 3.43 million views on YouTube and 2,021 comments which are mostly positive.
Below are some latest comments posted on YouTube:
F AB: Banished in own country, celebrated in other countries. Keep going Namewee!
Luffman: The best video clip ever produced by a Malaysian. Namewee is world class. Proud of him.
NR CHANNEL: Opening listen to Azan (Muslim call for prayers). Repeated mention of alhamdulillah from a non-Muslim. One world listens to the voice of a Malaysian. Proud. Thanks Brother!
Nur Adilah Sulaiman: Malaysian Malay in Qatar listening to this interesting song. Very catchy.
malayneum: I’m a Malay but I love this song. All the best, Namewee.
Pedro soliano: People cannot get offended by this. Namewee has been doing songs about culture of different countries in all his songs. Best part is his lyrics rhyme and he puts caption for our three Malaysian languages in Malay, Chinese, English so you understand the song.
Zuwairi Nawawi: Solid … Love him or hate him, you have to admit he got talent. Although Malaysia cannot get into the World Cup, Namewee has done the country proud!
LEGASI tv: In Malaysia, there are lots of triggered words. Unwarranted ownership-words. But elsewhere, it’s just languages. Good music, funny lyrics and video. Solid!’
Happy Man: Won’t be disappointed listening to sweet nasyid (song with Isamic elements)-styled song. Congratulations. Yasin Sulaiman’s chanting verse is an additional surprise for this song. Well done. – Nov 11, 2022
