The 42-year-old said the identity crisis in Malaysia’s music industry stems from the public’s tendency to idolise foreign musicians, even though local talents have comparable ability and potential.

“We often set foreign artistes as the benchmark, but the truth is, many Malaysian musicians produce strong, competitive work. What they need is space and support from the local ecosystem,” he told Bernama at a recent music conference here.

Balan said the perception that local music is inferior to international releases has long shaped the country’s listening culture, especially among young people who are more familiar with K-pop, American hip-hop, and international hits.

“Our youths can memorise songs by Blackpink or Bad Bunny, but they don’t know songs by Too Phat or Butterfingers. It’s not their fault, but a result of a system that doesn’t give Malaysian music equal exposure on mainstream platforms,” he said.

The “Cekap” singer said mainstream media and digital platforms should play a more active role in strengthening local music by giving fair coverage and airplay to works in Malaysia’s rich array of languages.

“In Thailand and Indonesia, most of the songs played on radio are local, but in Malaysia, we’re filled with foreign content. We have Malay, Tamil, Mandarin and English stations, but they each operate in their own silo – when music could actually be a bridge.

“Why can’t English stations play Malay songs, or vice versa?” he asked.

The singer from Klang, Selangor believes local music has the potential to become a regional powerhouse if identity is given renewed focus – through lyrics, sounds and narratives that reflect the realities of life in Malaysia.

“We have great artistes like Yuna, Siti Nurhaliza and Shila Amzah, but to go even further, we must first understand ourselves – our language, culture, and the stories we want to tell.”

Balan stressed that building a national musical identity is not just about language but about recognising that every artiste, regardless of race, contributes to shaping Malaysia’s musical landscape.

“I’m Indian, but I’m also Malaysian. It’s time we stop dividing music by race. We need to see ourselves as Malaysians creating art for the world,” he stated.

Balan, who has been active in the local music scene for over a decade, is known for bridging cultural divides through his versatile Tamil and English songs. His notable works include the song “Hola Amigo”, a collaboration with renowned Indian composer Anirudh Ravichander.