Latest news with #Velvet
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Marsha passionate about amplifying indigenous Borneo sound
SHE may not have been the top winner of a reality talent show, but Marsha Milan Londoh has established herself as one of Borneo's pop queens of the 2000s and beyond. While she excels in both singing and acting, and most recently tasted victory when her hit ballad 'Hening Rindu' topped the Anugerah Juara Lagu 39 in February, the Tamparuli-born beauty loves traditional Kadazan-Dusun popular music from her home state most. HEART For that reason, 40-year-old Marsha has just come up with a six-track album that pays tribute to the music that is close to her heart, titled 'Misompuru'. At a recent listening session of the album, which also saw Marsha share the stage with some of her collaborators and perform all six songs, the Akademi Fantasia 3 graduate said: "Misompuru originates from the Kadazan-Dusun language word that means 'gathering'. "This album is a love letter from me to my motherland, Borneo and it aims to be a work that will always be listened to by the people of Borneo, no matter where they are." Marsha added: "It is inspired by the rhythms, styles and colours of indigenous music from Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak, also known as East Malaysia. "And all of the songs in it feature elements of nostalgia, strength, resilience and longing for the homeland." COMPLETED Marsha began work on the album late last year and completed it around the same time as her participation in Anugerah Juara Lagu 39. She said: "Misompuru has been my ticket to go to the international music stage, and rightly so, as I sang for Malaysia at the Round Asean-Korea Music Festival 2025, with artistes from around Southeast Asia in June. "It was befittingly accompanied by my poster appearing on New York's Times Square billboard as part of the Equal campaign by Spotify in April." SIX SONGS Misompuru's six songs are 'Nalan Nalan' which features Sarawakian sape maestro Alena Murang, who also composed and wrote it; 'Lintah Darat' composed and written by Marsha's old friend from Akademi Fantasia 4 Velvet Aduk, who is the guest vocalist; and Pelangi Pasti, written and composed by Akademi Fantasia 9's Amir Jahari. There is also 'Santai Saja', written by Marsha and composed by Velvet's husband and fellow Akademi Fantasia 4 graduate Rich Gimbang of Estranged; 'Hey Aramai Ti', a duet with Sabahan composer and lyricist Datuk Francis Landong; and 'Sumandak Sabah', Marsha's and Velvet's catchy collaboration which they co-wrote and co-composed. USERS Marsha said: "The track 'Lintah Darat' was the most challenging song for me, as it is a subtle critique of users which is meant to be entertaining yet educational. "It's based on my real-life experiences, and that of Velvet's. I guess all of us have encountered such people in our lives, and they're people we must avoid at all costs." Marsha said that 'Nalan Nalan' was the song that best reflected her, as it was about being on the move, a metaphor for one's life journey and progress. "The song 'Nalan Nalan' precisely means a journey, and it's always a joy to have a duet with the magnificent sape, beautifully played by Alena, a world class musician of Borneo," she said. EMOTIONAL As for 'Pelangi Pasti', Marsha described it as the album's most emotional song, which often saw her shed tears while singing it. "It's my first collaboration with Amir, who is one of Akademi Fantasia's and Borneo's most prolific composers and lyricists. "It may have a rainbow in its title, but actually it contains a lot of sorrowful moments. After completing the entire song, I felt grateful for the many things, good and bad, which have happened in my life thus far." DECEMBER Marsha said that 'Nalan Nalan' and 'Lintah Darat' were the first two songs which she recorded, in November and December last year, while 'Santai Saja' was the last one. Marsha describes 'Misompuru' as her stepping-stone to promote her passion for indigenous music, and in future she would love to record more indigenous music, not just in Kadazan-Dusun but also in other languages of Borneo. KLANG VALLEY She admitted that songs in native Borneo languages were not easily received by mainstream audiences in the heart of the Klang Valley. "Nevertheless, Malaysians are fast becoming more open to diverse types of music. "More and more Malaysians are beginning to appreciate music that is sung in languages other than English and Malay," she said. HOPE She hopes that 'Misompuru' will encourage more of Borneo's indigenous pop singers to "go mainstream" and put the Borneo sound on the world music map. "This album is also my Kaamatan gift for fans and family. It combines both Malay and Kadazan-Dusun lyrics to make it accessible to Malaysians around the country." POSTERS While Misompuru's promotional posters speak of Marsha as the Queen of Borneo Music, she feels that there are many other iconic singers from Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan who are equally talented. "The title Queen Of Borneo does sound rather flattering, honestly. If there are people who truly deserve this title, they would be Borneo's pioneering female singers such as beloved 1970s legends Uji Rashid and Anita Sarawak," she said.
Business Upturn
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Zig-Zag Launches New Premium Natural Leaf Cigar Line – Zig-Zag Woods
By GlobeNewswire Published on July 9, 2025, 02:53 IST Los Angeles, California, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zig-Zag Launches New Premium Natural Leaf Cigar Line – Zig-Zag Woods Slow-Burning, Boldly Flavored, and Value-Priced for High Turnover in Convenience and Smoke Shop Channels Zig-Zag, a heritage brand trusted by millions, proudly announces the launch of Zig-Zag Woods, a new line of premium natural leaf cigars crafted for today's adult cigar consumer and strategically designed for convenience stores and smoke shops. With more than 58% of consumers referring to rough-cut cigars as 'woods', this launch meets consumer expectations with a name and format that resonates. Zig-Zag Woods features a slow-burning, all-natural leaf wrap filled with premium rough-cut tobacco, delivering a rich and smooth smoking experience. With bold flavor profiles and recognizable Zig-Zag branding, this line is engineered for fast sell-through and high margins. Over 300 million rough-cut cigars are sold annually (MSA), demonstrating the strength of this segment, and Zig-Zag Woods is primed to compete and win. Product Offering: 5 Varieties: Natural Silk & Berries Sweet Aromatic Crème Royale Velvet Pre-Priced: $1.39 for 2 cigars $1.39 for 2 cigars Packaging Configuration: 15 pouches per carton 24 cartons per case Whether your customers prefer the boldness of Sweet Aromatic or the smoothness of Velvet, Zig-Zag Woods provides a flavor for every taste. With its competitive price point, premium quality, and shelf-ready format, Zig-Zag Woods is primed to become a top seller in the natural leaf cigar segment. 'Customers have been asking for a premium value-added product that moves quickly and satisfies customers. Zig-Zag Woods is our answer,' said Jessica Chesney, SBM of Marketing at Zig-Zag. 'We've combined quality, flavor variety, and value into a package that's a win for both consumers and the trade.' Now Shipping Nationwide Zig-Zag Woods are now available for wholesale and retail ordering. For more information, promotional assets, or to place an order, contact Zig-Zag customer service at (800) 331-5962 [email protected] or visit TPB Marketplace. About Zig-Zag Zig-Zag is a market leader in premium tobacco and smoking accessories, known for its authenticity, innovation, and quality. With a legacy spanning over 140 years, Zig-Zag continues to evolve with consumer trends while delivering reliable products to its retail partners. Zig-Zag is exclusively distributed by Turning Point Brands (NYSE: TPB), a manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of branded consumer products. Attachment Zig-Zag Launches New Premium Natural Leaf Cigar Line – Zig-Zag Woods Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I want to name my kid after dairy product but husband won't let me'
A woman has admitted she wanted to name her fourth child after a popular dairy product but was stopped by her husband who 'didn't like' it - and people are on his side Choosing a baby name isn't always an easy task, especially if you and your partner disagree on what makes a good moniker. Parents have the ultimate say over what their child is called, but the decision should be a joint one in most cases. Reaching a compromise is vital, even if you and your partner have vastly different tastes in names. One mum has said she initially wanted to name her child after a popular dairy product before her husband put his foot down and said he "didn't like it at all" - and others have said he was right to stop the woman from using the unique moniker. Nara Smith has gone viral in the past for sharing the unusual baby names she and her husband, Lucky Blue Smith, have given to the three children they already have together. They are parents to daughters named Rumble Honey and Whimsy Lou, as well as a son named Slim Easy. The woman is now pregnant with the couple's fourth child, and made a TikTok video in which she shared some of the baby names that she "loves" but will not be using. She started off by poking fun at her critics by making up a name. She said: "The first name is Moonbeam, and the second name is Ice-cream. I think that's so beautiful. I'm just joking - I've seen the comments!" Nara went on to share the names she really considered for her fourth child, starting with boy names including Moss, Goody, Sundae, Champ, and Silk. She also made sure to mention that she "really loves" Dare as a boy's name. She then moved on to girls' names, which she claimed were "harder" to come up with than the ones for boys. But the one name she loved that her husband refused to entertain was "Butter". Nara explained: "A name that I love that Lucky does not like at all so it didn't even make it into our list is Butter." The mum also said she considered Twinkle, Velvet, Button, Willowmere, Berry, Merit, and Shimmer. For relatable parenting tales, tips and offers to help you and your family, sign up for our free Lemon-Aid newsletter here. She said she had considered calling her child Apple, but decided against it because it's "been used before", for example by Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, who have a 21-year-old daughter named Apple Martin. Commenters on Nara's video were baffled by her unusual names. Many said they didn't believe Nara had given such unique names to her children and insisted she was using fake names to protect their identities. One person said: "I wonder if she's joking ... maybe those are fake names to protect their real identities." Another added: "Plot twist, this is all a joke and the kids have actual names and she's just using these to protect the children." However, there were some commenters who defended Nara's name choices, saying some of her suggestions were "cute". Ultimately, the decision is with Nara and Lucky over what they decide to name their child. Someone wrote: "Velvet is kinda cute." Another posted: "Moss and Velvet not too bad as far as Nara Smith baby names go."
Daily Express
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Velvet hopes to spark renewed interest in Dusun with new album
Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025 Text Size: Velvet's ambition is to encourage a new generation to embrace their mother tongues, using music as a medium for cultural revival and pride. Kota Kinabalu: Sabahan singer-songwriter Velvet Aduk hopes to spark renewed interest in indigenous languages with the release of her long-awaited Dusun-language album, Ogingol, which dropped on May 10 across all major streaming platforms. The nine-track album is a deeply personal tribute to her Dusun and Kadazan roots, blending contemporary musical styles with ancestral dialects to produce something fresh and meaningful. Titled after its lead track, Ogingol, which translates to 'beautiful', the album features original songs that explore themes of identity, belonging, and cultural pride. Other tracks include Nokosuai, Bolintuongon, Mintogod, Miang-Miang Keladi, Kaandaman, Nouyan (a duet with Arddley Nicholas), Kopiruba Wagu Insan Tadau, and Koupusan Ginawo Ku. Most of the songs were written and composed by Velvet herself, and the album was co-produced and co-arranged by longtime collaborator Brandon Laurie, with Andy O'Mail on lead guitar. Notably, Kaandaman, written in Kadazan, marks Brandon's debut as a songwriter, expanding the creative team's contribution to preserving native expression. 'This album is my way of promoting and preserving my culture, just as we do every year during Kaamatan,' Velvet said. 'It is not just music – it is my way of learning, remembering, and giving back,' she added, describing the process as both educational and emotionally grounding. Raised in Kampung Inobong, Penampang, Velvet grew up immersed in the language of her ancestors, a connection that profoundly shaped her songwriting. Through her lyrics, she captures the richness of Dusun and Kadazan dialects as spoken across Sabah, weaving linguistic diversity into the fabric of her melodies. Far from a traditional folk collection, Ogingol pushes the boundaries of Dusun music, delivering polished arrangements that range from introspective ballads to radio-ready pop. 'I want Dusun songs to sound elegant and classy,' she explained, highlighting her desire to balance artistic authenticity with listener accessibility. Each track blends Velvet's distinctive vocal style with modern instrumentation, setting a new benchmark for contemporary indigenous music. The duet Nouyan features Arddley Nicholas, the Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) 23 Best Male Vocal award winner, further boosting the album's musical intensity. Velvet's ambition is to encourage a new generation to embrace their mother tongues, using music as a medium for cultural revival and pride. The album is now streaming globally on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube Music and other digital platforms, inviting listeners everywhere to discover the beauty of Sabah's native languages. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Sabahan releases heritage-inspired Dusun album
Velvet KOTA KINABALU (May 13): Sabahan singer songwriter, Velvet Aduk, has released her long-anticipated Dusun language album, titled 'Ogingol', on 10 May 2025, now available on all major streaming platforms. Featuring nine original tracks, 'Ogingol' is a powerful and personal celebration of her heritage, deeply rooted in the diverse Dusun and Kadazan dialects of Sabah. Written and composed mostly by Velvet herself, the album is co-produced and co-arranged by longtime collaborator Brandon Laurie, with Andy O'Mail as the lead guitarist. The track 'Kaandaman,' written by Brandon in Kadazan, marks his debut as a songwriter as well. 'This album is my way of promoting and preserving my culture, just as we do every year during Kaamatan,' says Velvet. 'It's not just music, it's my way of learning, remembering, and giving back.' Velvet draws inspiration from her hometown of Kampung Inobong, Penampang, where she was raised speaking and listening to the language of her ancestors. Her lyrics reflect the rich linguistic variations of Dusun and Kadazan spoken across Sabah, making the album a heartfelt testament to the region's cultural identity. But this is no traditional folk album, Velvet blends contemporary styles and fresh arrangements to present Dusun music in a new light. From modern elegance to radio-friendly familiarity, each track showcases her unique musical identity. 'I want Dusun songs to sound elegant and classy,' Velvet shares. 'There's a mix of my personal style with what's easy for listeners to enjoy. This is not your typical Dusun sound.' The album also features a duet with fellow Sabahan artiste and Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) 23's Best Male Vocal award winner, Arddley Nicholas, on the track 'Nouyan.' With this release, Velvet hopes to spark renewed interest in indigenous languages and inspire more people to embrace their cultural roots. The full album is now streaming on all digital music platforms worldwide. Listen now on iTunes or stream directly on Spotify and YouTube Music!'
