TOO PHAT/ 360° PLATINUM EDITION (EMI Music Indonesia)
Genre: Hip Hop
Does hip hop strictly belong to the black community? Not anymore; as with rhythm and blues, hip hop reaches the soul of many people off all colors worldwide, including Asia. One of the most accomplished hip hop groups in Asia is Too Phat, a talented duo from Malaysia. Joe Flizzlow and Malique can be proud of themselves; their debut album “360º” has sold around 50.000 units in Indonesia alone and this year, they launch the special repackage of 360º, called “360º Platinum Edition”, filled with remixes of their famous hits and with three new songs attached for their dedicated fans in Asia and especially Indonesia. Take a listen to just how established this duo is; the way they rap can be compared with their fellow artists in the US, with their Melayu background adding more to the flavor. Check out the groovy “Nasty Girl” remix, a very catchy hit with a booming bassline that’s gonna hit up any dance floor. Also listen to their collaboration with famous 90’s hip hop star Warren G called “Just a Lil’ Bit” that attracted attention around the world, and a Melayu infused hit “Alhamdulillah”. This song is quite particular, since Malique’s ex-girlfriend Dian Sastrowardoyo (Indo movie star) performed here, with her bold poetry reading forming the song’s intro. If you wanna hear how seriously these guys take hip hop, check out this album - 14 of the grooviest hip hop songs in Asia.

SAINT LOCO / ROCK UPON A TIME (Sony Music Indonesia)
Genre: Hip Rock It seems like there are new bands emerging everyday with influences ranging from pop candy to glam rock. Sony Music has a new rising star named Saint Loco, and you can definitely tell the influence of their music after listening to the angry rap over deep metal growls, funk bass, heavy rock distortion, speedy drums and turntable infusions. Powered by Tius, the winner of DJ Battle 2003 and Berry, the winner of a rap competition in Bandung, Saint Loco release their debut album “Rock Upon A Time” with English speaking songs aimed at reaching a broader, international market. Check out their first single “Microphone Anthem”, where Berry’s machine gun flows weave in and out of a constant but melodic chord progression that blends well with the funky scratching and beats from the turn table. Think Korn and Linkin Park put together. One of my favorite is an uptempo “Hip Rock”, which was already quite famous even before their debut was released, thanks to those radio stations that frequently give independent bands heavy airplay. With lyrics talking about social crisis and depressed youth culture in a big city, this album is quite “hip” for a debut.