#ValentinesDay: Top 5 Things Music Lovers Can Do This Year

It’s that time of the year again − the one special day that couples go out all to impress and show their love for each other and the singles go on a #foreveralone emotional rampage. This Valentine’s Day, we suggest you do something a little unconventional rather than follow in the tradition of buying flowers, going out for over-the-top expensive dinners and, well you get the picture.

As we are about only a week away from Valentine’s Day 2015, we’ve come up with a list of things that music fans can do to celebrate and cherish their love for each other.

We know what you’re thinking, why would anyone want to go for a concert on Valentine’s Day or who would even be having a concert on Valentine’s Day right? Well, you’re in luck! This year, Slash featuring Miles Kennedy & The Conspirators will be performing at Sunway Lagoon on, yes, you guessed it – Valentine’s Day itself. If you and/or your other half is a fan, then what better way to celebrate this special day than at a concert of an artiste you both enjoy right? ;)

Never had the chance to catch your favourite artiste live? Fret not for you can always watch their shows on YouTube or by buying DVDs of their live shows. Now, we know that it’s not the same as actually seeing them in person, but why not take this special day to watch or rewatch some of your favourite artistes live in concert. One of our personal favourites is John Mayer‘s “Where The Light Is” live in Los Angeles show.

Create a playlist or mix tape of your favourite songs and have your partner do the same. Then exchange them and take turns listening to each of your playlists together. This way, you get a better idea of the kind of music your other half enjoys and vice versa.

Okay so when we say go dancing, we don’t actually mean go dancing in a club. Hit up a bar that features live bands and dance the night away with your loved one. Also, we say bar because a bar is slightly more intimate than a club now, isn’t it?

Instead of a treasure hunt, go on a music hunt. Create a series of love notes, with clues about your favourite artistes/songs. Hide them in different places, such as on the bed, in their work bag, on the fridge, or on their laptop and have your partner figure out your favourite artiste/song by the end of the hunt. Set a time frame for this to be completed and surprise your partner at the end of the hunt. This adds a fun twist and excitement to the normal, mundane Valentine’s Day.

There you have it, our top 5 things for music lovers to do this Valentine’s Day. If you have any other ideas on what to do this Valentine’s Day (music-related of course) do share it with us by sounding off in the comments section.


#ResidentEvil: Ali Larter To Reprise Role In “The Final Chapter”

The actress isn’t allowing Milla Jovovich to go at it alone in final “Resident Evil” instalment. Titled “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter“, the film is the 6th and final instalment of the Screen Gems post-apocalyptic franchise “Resident Evil” and will see Larter reprise her role as Claire Redfield, with Paul W.S. Anderson back to direct a script he wrote.

Constantin Film’s Robert Kulzer, Impact Pictures’ Jeremy Bold, Davis Films’ Samuel Hadida, and Anderson are producing and Martin Moszkowicz will serve as the executive producer. “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” will start shooting in South Africa next month.

The story will pick up after the events of “Resident Evil: Retribution”, as the Project Alice is forced to race against time before the evil Red Queen attempts to destroy the final remnants of humanity. The series has been one of the most successful game-to-movie adaptations, grossing over $195 million worldwide.

“Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” is Larter’s third “Resident Evil” film as she previously starred in 2007’s “Resident Evil: Extinction” and 2010’s “Resident Evil: Afterlife”. She also starred in two “Final Destination” films and was most recently seen in “The Diabolical”. Larter is represented by WME, Water Street Anthem Entertainment and attorney Steve Warren.

“Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” will see Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter and Wentworth Miller reprise their respective roles and is slated for release on September 2nd 2016.

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Netflix’s “Age of Samurai: Battle For Japan” Review: An Enthralling “Game Of Thrones” Style Docuseries

Next to perhaps the Spartans of Ancient Greece, no other warrior class has quite captured our collective imagination as the samurai of feudal Japan. Warriors dressed in full armour, wielding katanas and dueling to the death. From Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns to sleek anime series, Japan’s Bushido way has left its mark upon the cultural landscape. In Netflix’s “Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan” we get to trace the rise of one of Japan’s greatest samurai and warlords. Set in an age of unspeakable brutality, political instability and boundless opportunity.

So does Netflix’s latest docuseries chronicling one of Japan’s most prominent historical period of samurai warfare meet the cut? Or does it bring dishonour to itself? Let’s find out.

Set during the Sengoku Jidai period of 1500s, “Age of Samurai” follows the journey of the Japanese triumvirate: the legendary Oda Nobunaga, and his two generals Tomoyoto Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Together, the three of them will forever change the face of Japan. Moving away from the fractured shogunate systems of disparate warlords, or daimyo and sowing the seeds of the idea of a unified Japan. It starts with the brilliant Nobunaga from the tiny Oda clan. A man, who through military genius, technological innovation and staggering brutality stopped at nothing to expand his empire. It ultimately ends with betrayal, in-fighting and a legendary rivalry between his generals. Rome had Julius Caesar and England had King Arthur; Japan has Oda Nobunaga.

If you’re someone who has a natural interest for military history and ancient warfare, then this docuseries is going to be an absolute delight for you. Through impressive recreations and fascinating insights from historians, “Age of Samurai” manages to paint a rich tapestry of Oda’s conquest and the complex web of factions within the Sengoku Jidai. Does the documentary resort to using Great Man history to pool its narrative threads together? Well, yes and we do see the concern there. There’s a tendency for documentaries to be rather reductive when using this method. A sort of factual tunnel vision is developed and the narrative is squarely focused on the exploits and perspectives around a particular set of individuals. It works for biographical films but in documentaries, not so much.

Thankfully though, “Age of Samurai” manages to avoid the pitfalls of relying too heavily on Oda’s history and character. Rather, the docuseries uses its central trio as a springboard to discuss other fascinating aspects and topics set within the period. For example, in the second episode “Seizing Power”, we learn that Oda had to contend with an army of militant Buddhists known as Ikko-Ikki. Religious zealots who have less in common with their Tibetan brothers than they do with the Faith Militant from “Game of Thrones”. Through Oda’s encounter with the Ikko-Ikki, we gain a ton of insight in how Japanese Buddhism varied from the more traditional Theravada school. In the third, we learn about the art of espionage and shadow warfare that the Shinobi employed to weaken Oda’s army.

The docuseries consists of six episodes with each bearing a runtime of a little over 45 minutes. So for each episode to pack so much cultural information while still forwarding the series’ dramatic momentum speaks to the structural cohesion of the entire show. Never once did we find any of its segments dwelling too long on any data point or historical figure. Truly riveting stuff.

For those looking for less History Channel and more HBO, to that we say: don’t worry. There’s plenty of large scale battles, political intrigue and interesting characters to keep you entertained. Expect to see graphic melees, intense monologues and dramatic reenactments all around. That being said, we couldn’t help but feel that “Age of Samurai” doesn’t quite live up to its full potential.

While we definitely found the docuseries to be an informative and epic window into the Sengoku Jidai, it would have benefited if it had committed to one particular approach. It could have gone the way of History Channel’s “Vikings” or BBC’s “Ancient Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire”, as a docudrama. Or it could have gone for a more traditional route. Choosing to focus more on the cultural and societal aspects of ancient Japan. In lieu of being shackled to one particular story arc. In this case, Nobunaga’s. Still, we found “Age of Samurai” to be an excellent showing.

This is no doubt due to its stellar attention to detail and its stunning visual splendour. The costume design and sets in “Age of Samurai” are utterly gorgeous. Which adds a significant immersion factor to the entire viewing experience. The performances, though chopped up in brief segments, were highly engaging and compelling as well. Again, if this was a full-on docudrama, we would definitely binge-watch this series in one sitting. Shout out to actors Masayoshi Haneda, Masami Kosaka and Hiro Kanagawa who played Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu. If you guys ever decide to make a historical film or series, we’ll be more than happy to check it out.

“Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan” is an absolute delight for fans of old samurai films, amateur military historians and avid Japanophiles everywhere. Armed with entertaining reenactments and thorough research, this docuseries is definitely one you do not want to miss. If you’re looking to take a break from the endless parade of serial killer documentaries and crime dramas on Netflix, then trust us when we say that this is exactly what you are looking for. You can now catch “Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan” on Netflix today!

So what are your favourite samurai films? Are there other documentaries you’d like us to review in the future? Be sure to let us know in the comments down below!

“Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan” is an absolute delight for fans of old samurai films, amateur military historians and avid students of history. Armed with entertaining reenactments and thorough research, this docuseries is definitely one you do not want to miss.


#PervertAlert: Man Sexually Harasses Woman On LRT

During peak hours, the LRT is usually flooded with people going to work or going home, making it hard to have any personal space on the train.

Unfortunately for a woman named Syima, a man tried to sexually harassed her by rubbing his “willy” on her body. She took to Facebook to post up a status detailing the said pervert to warn other female LRT patrons.

Syima claimed that the man, who was wearing a pair of glasses and a grey tee, rubbed his crotch on her body when the train stopped at Jalan Universiti station. According to her, the man got off the train at Bangsar station. She also managed to take 2 clear photos of the suspect.

“But I’m so, so proud of myself. Because I shouted and screamed right to his face. I even yelled out to all the ladies in the LRT to be careful and avoid standing close to him,” she said, adding that she was disappointed that no one came forward to help her.

At the end of her post, Syima urged all women to be extra cautious and said, “Sexual assault is a violation – both physically and emotionally. It hurts on all levels. Take action and protect yourself, please”.

Apparently, she is not the first victim to run into such an unpleasant experience. Another Facebook user known as Tutie commented that she came contact with the same man before. Tutie wrote (translation), “Yes…this devil also did (the same thing) in Go KL Bus (from Jalan Raja Chulan to Pavilion). It happened to me but I managed to keep a distance. Then he made a blur face and pretended like nothing happened. Good job to you Syima ?????? Let the world know about this”.

As at time of writing, Syima’s post has been shared over 1,900 times. Help spread this to your family and friends who frequently use public transportation so that they’re aware of this pervert as well.

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Judgement Is Coming!

In 1995, Sylvester Stallone starred in “Judge Dredd”, a movie set in the future times where Earth has become an uninhabitable wasteland. The story revolves around “Mega-Cities”, where the traditional justice system has ceased to exist. Instead, a corps of “Judges”, the fiercest combinations of police officer plus judge plus jury and executioner, now have full responsibility of upholding peace and “serving” where it counts.

The “Street Judge”, none other than Joseph Dredd (played by Sylvester Stallone) who assists Judge Hershey (played by Diane Lane) in ending a block war.

Hold up! Before you rush out to beg, borrow, or steal a copy of the 1995 film, a new and more 3D version of it will be released in the cinemas soon. Yup! 3D. When it was announced in December 2008, the production company DNA Films also said that although the newer “Dredd” film is unrelated to the 1995 version, it’s still based on the same 2000 AD comic book character, Judge Dredd.

This “refreshed” Judge Dredd story is set in a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as a judge, jury, and executioner – a city that’s much like the one in the 1995 version. Directed by Pete Travis (“The Jury”, “Vantage Point”), “Dredd” centers around a cop who teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals with the reality-altering drug, “SLO-MO”.

The dangerous drug causes its users to experience reality at a fraction of its normal speed and it needs to be stopped before it becomes a worse epidemic. But there’s no such thing as an easy war.

Dredd (played by Karl Urban) and rookie with powerful psychic abilities Cassandra Anderson (played by Olivia Thirlby) must confront the odds and engage in a relentless battle for survival:

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Dredd 3D will be released on 7th September 2012 (UK) and 21st September 2012 (US).

For more information, visit the movie’s official website.


Contest: Win Exclusive #PiratesOfTheCaribbean5 Merchandise & Screening Passes

As the date for Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean 5” aka “Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge” Malaysian premiere draws near, our friends at Disney Malaysia has graciously provided us with some goodies to give away to our lucky readers.

On top of that, we’ve also got 10 pairs of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge” preview screening passes up for grabs ;)

Each winner will walk away with “Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge” goodies (first-come-first-served basis and while stocks last) and a pair of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge” preview screening passes.

Answer the following questions and you might just win’ em:

Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, starring Johnny Depp, Kevin McNally, Geoffrey Rush, Javier Bardem, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario, and especially featuring the returns Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley as Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann respectively, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge” is slated to open in Malaysian cinemas on 25th May 2017.

For more information, visit the movie’s website or Facebook page.


#Jumanji: Dwayne Johnson & Kevin Hart In Early Talks To Star In Movie Reboot

“I’ve seen things you’ve only seen in your nightmares. Things you can’t even imagine. Things you can’t even see.”

A few months ago, it was reported that Sony Pictures enlisted comedy director Jake Kasdan (from “Sex Tape”, “Fresh Of The Boat, and “The New Girl”) and screenwriter Scott Rosenberg (from “Con Air” and “Gond In 60 Seconds”) to work on the upcoming “Jumanji” remake.

Now, there are more good news for the movie reboot because the studio is planning to bring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart to star in the film!

The pair recently worked together for comedy called “Central Intelligence” that will be released on 17th June.

According to Screen Rant, whether or not the pair land the movie could largely depend on how “Central Intelligence” fares in cinemas. If all goes well, or at least if there’s positive buzz around the duo’s performance, then there would be a higher chance for Sony to sign them on for “Jumanji”.

“Jumanji” is a 1995 American cult classic directed by Joe Johnston based on a screenplay by Greg Taylor, Jonathan Hensleigh, and Jim Strain. It is the film adaptation of the 1981 children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg.

The film starred the late Robin Williams as Alan Parrish, which later became one of his most memorable roles. It also starred Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde, and Bebe Neuwirth.

Sony Pictures’ “Jumanji” is slated for release on 18th July 2017.

Yay or nay for the casting news? Do you think that the duo will wing this? ;)

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5 Black Actors Who Could Play Superman In Warner Bros New Reboot

It’s been nearly a whole decade since we’ve seen a standalone Superman film on the big screen. Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” was our first introduction to Henry Cavill’s version of Clark Kent and for the longest time he held the mantle. As of now, the chances of Cavill returning to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) are looking slim. In fact, director J.J. Abrams and author Ta-Nehisi Coates are planning a fresh reboot for the Kryptonian.

A bold, new vision for the Man of Steel that could include a black version of the character. This isn’t a particularly new idea within DC’s comic book history. As far as cinematic canon goes though, an African American rendition of the character would mark a historical moment for the classic icon.

The idea of a person of colour bearing the mark of El is certainly an intriguing one. We certainly have some great candidates in mind on who could play Superman. These are our top picks for actors who could portray Superman in the new reboot!

For the last few years, actor Michael B. Jordan has quickly become a rising star within the film industry. His most prolific role being the revolutionary Erik Killmonger in Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther”. He first popped up on our radar in 2015’s spin-off of the beloved “Rocky” franchise, “Creed”. Jordan plays the son of the deceased boxer Apollo Creed, Adonis. There he delivered one of the most powerful performances of his career. Another lesser known film “Fruitvale Station” saw Jordan flexing his dramatic muscles there. The Chairman of Warner Bros Toby Emmerich even described Jordan as “a leading voice in a new generation of talent and is creating real change in the industry”.

A defining aspect of the Man of Steel is his boundless optimism and natural charisma. He is a symbol of hope after all. Jordan’s time in the “Creed” films and dramatic range makes him a front-runner for someone who could definitely play a more hopeful Pre-Crisis Superman. Superman in the prime of his days.

Before Disney axed “Luke Cage”, it was one of the best comic book TV shows we’d seen in a long while. A phenomenal series that balanced the gritty, street-level troubles of Harlem with the character’s unnatural propensity for compassion and heroism. In no small way was this due to Mike Colter’s performance as the titular Luke Cage. Colter brought a believable humanity and honesty to the character. He wasn’t trying to be Iron Man or Thor. He simply wished to better his community and do the right thing. He was not only a crime-fighter, he was also a positive role model and leader in Harlem. Which is exactly why we believe Colter would be a shoe-in for the role of Superman.

Different eras make slight variations on the character of Superman. For example, the recent rendition of the character in DC’s “Rebirth” comics depicts Superman as a wiser and more fatherly figure. Someone who chooses to settle problems through words and only ever uses violence as a last resort. His stint in Marvel is over now, maybe it’s time for him to come over to DC!

Perhaps Abrams and Coates’ vision of Superman isn’t in line with the traditional version of the character. They may choose to use the Superman of Earth-23 as their guideline instead. Introducing Calvin Ellis aka Kalel, who is both the Man of Steel and the President of the United States of America. Now that’s power right there. A perfect candidate to embody the role of Earth’s protector and America’s leader would be none other than John David Washington. Yes, we’re aware that he hasn’t been in a ton of films. In the films he has starred in, though, Washington has always brought a natural swagger and charm to his roles. Whether it’s Ron Stahlworth from “BlackKklansmen” or the Protagonist from “Tenet”. Washington is someone to watch.

Just like his daddy Denzel, John David Washington was built to be an action-hero. He also has the class to play a presidential role as well. Can you imagine Washington playing a President Obama type Superman? Sign us up immediately for that.

Recently there’s been some very interesting reports surrounding John Boyega, the actor who played Finn in Disney’s “Star Wars” films. Apparently, there’s been rumours about Boyega possibly taking up the mantle of Superman in the reboot. Personally, we think Boyega would make an excellent pick as a young Clark Kent trying to figure out his powers. It’s been a delight to see Boyega grow as a performer over the years. Ever since 2011’s “Attack the Block”, we’ve watched Boyega transform himself from stoic lead to a versatile actor. Obviously, we wouldn’t expect him to go the orthodox farmboy road as Clark Kent. He could put an interesting spin on the character. Playing up Kent’s more rebellious days as a teenager or young adult. All while learning to control his powers.

Given time, we can picture Boyega being the face of a Superman film series. The first film would see him learning the ropes before having him truly come into his own. As the films go on, we get to grow alongside him as he becomes the world’s greatest hero.

Our final pick is someone who you’ve probably never heard of. Fans of Amazon Prime’s “The Boys” may recognise him as the actor who plays A-Train in the series. We’re talking about Jessie Usher. Sometimes, it’s best to go with a relatively obscure actor when you’re trying something new. Big name actors tend to come with the pressure of typecasting and tailored roles. Usher, however, represents pure potential and talent. Based on what we’ve seen in “The Boys”, Usher could easily carry the role of a younger Superman. We’re aware that he played a major jerk in “The Boys” and arguably, he was one of the villains of the series. That being said, he had this uncanny ability to make you root and care for the guy. Which in our books, it is a big plus.

Abrams and Coates are clearly looking to start something new with their reboot. It would make sense for them to have Usher take up the mantle of Superman. This time he could play an actual superhero, instead of being some homicidal Flash knockoff.

It will be awesome to see these interpretations going forward!!! @JorgeJimenezArt @Bosslogic #Superman @jjabrams #TanehesiCoates pic.twitter.com/K2Ao3zp5ZE

So who do you think should play Superman in Warner Bros’ new reboot? Oh and keep in mind that actor Idris Elba is already playing Bloodsport in James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad”. Be sure to let us know in the comments down below!


MTV Japan Unveils VMAJ 2013 Nominees

MTV Japan today announced nominees, hosts, and the first three performers to be featured in its annual biggest music event, MTV VMAJ 2013, set to take place at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture on 22nd June 2013 (Saturday).

Bruno Mars, Fun., One Direction, Taylor Swift, and Kana Nishino received three nominations each. Kana Nishino and Taylor Swift will vie for “Best Female Video”, as well as Fun. and One Direction for both “Best Group Video” and “Best New Artist Video”. In addition, Bruno Mars, Kana Nishino and Taylor Swift battle it out for VMAJ’s own “Best Karaokee! Song”. Kana Nishino is also confirmed to hit the stage with the memorable performance, along with Carly Rae Jepsen and Imagine Dragons.

Additional performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.

Nominations in all sixteen award categories are as follows:

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Voting for all categories is now available at MTV Japan’s official Facebook page until 5pm on June 11/Tokyo time (in Japanese only). The show will premiere on MTV Japan on 23rd June 2013 (Sunday) at 8PM (Tokyo), and will air across MTV’s global network including MTV Asia (details to be announced).

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#Aquaman: “Furious 7” Director James Wan Eyed To Direct

Following the massive box office success of “Furious 7“, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to us if director James Wan was asked to direct another instalment of the “Fast and Furious” franchise.

However, he may not be able to do so because sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Wan is now being eyed to direct Warner Bros’ upcoming superhero film, “Aquaman“.

The solo film is currently under development in the studio, with both Will Beall and Kurt Johnstad writing competing scripts for the project. “Game of Thrones” star Jason Momoa is attached to portray Aquaman and he will make his appearance as the character in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice“, which is slated for release on 24th March 2016.

Having directed several horror classics including 2013’s “The Conjuring” and “Insidious“, sources told THR that director James Wan became “the studio’s choice and some preliminary talks have taken place”.

However, no deal was offered to Wan yet. Though there’s no official announcement on the 8th installment of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, Universal Pictures may also want him to return to direct, especially after Vin Diesel hinted that the 8th film will take place in New York City.

In fact, Wan is currently gearing up to return to his horror roots for “The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist“, which is due to shoot this fall. If he does take up Warner Bros’ offer to direct “Aquaman”, he could help the studio get rid of all the jokes about the undersea warrior.

There is only one true King. #unitetheseven pic.twitter.com/RDFG8jbuI6

— Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder) February 20, 2015

As of now, the 2-part “Justice League” film is Warner Bros’ primary focus because the studio is at the stage of deciding which characters should make their cameo appearances in it. The members of the Justice League will be united through this film, including Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, Ben Affleck’s Batman, Henry Cavill’s Superman, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Ezra Miller’s The Flash, Ray Fisher’s Cyborg, and Green Lantern.

No further details were announced for the “Aquaman” solo movie yet, but it is slated for release on 27th July 2018.


Ticketing Details For Apink’s KL Show Announced

“Luv”, “NoNoNo”, “Mr. Chu”, and “I’m So Sick” – these are only some of the hit songs churned out by Apink. And we Malaysian Pink Pandas are in luck, as they are coming to Kuala Lumpur for their “2018 Asia Tour“.

Ticketing details for the show have also been announced today (Wednesday, 25th July), so it’s time to save up ;)

The girl group made their debut in 2011, and is comprised of 6 members – Namjoo, Chorong, Bomi, Eunji, Naeun, and Hayoung. Their latest album, “One & Six”, was released earlier this month. It contains 6 songs, namely “A L R I G H T”, “Don’t Be Silly”, “Forever Star”, “Promise Me”, “I Like That Kiss”, and title track “I’m So Sick”.

With this being their comeback in more than a year, fans did not have high expectations of the album. However, Apink smashed all odds and produced one of their strongest album – with the title track still performing extremely well on Korean music charts. The fact that they are going on an Asia tour is testament to their popularity.

This won’t be their first trip to Malaysia either, as Apink were here for 2017’s K-Wave Music Festival. Aside from Malaysia, other countries included in their 2018 tour are Hong Kong and Jakarta, with more cities to be announced.

Details for their concert are as follows:

Tickets will be available at BuyTickets from 3rd August 12pm onwards.

For more info, visit the concert’s Facebook page.

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#RidingPink: First Women-Only Taxi Service Launches In Malaysia

Ladies, have you ever felt unsafe while taking public transport? Well, hopefully, with the launch of Riding Pink, you’ll feel a little safer.

Riding Pink, the brainchild of full-time mother Denise Tan, is Malaysia’s first women-only taxi service. The service was created to counter the increasingly alarming rate of robberies amongst females who rely on public transportation.

Tan stated that she first had the idea for Riding Pink when she heard about a female relative who was robbed while taking public transportation. Friends who were harassed by public transportation drivers also spurred her to create a safe environment for women. “So all these sneaky looks, sensitive questions, and outright stares are big factors that played a part for me to come up with this idea to protect women,” she continued.

Not only can women feel safer, the service also creates more job opportunities for them, especially for stay-at-home moms who have to juggle between their domestic commitments and income.

It was launched on 10th October and has been gaining overwhelming support from the public since. They started recruiting drivers in September via Facebook and has amassed a total of around 100 drivers. On the week of 21st to 27th November, 100 trips were recorded while recurring trips on weekdays of those going to school and work are also increasing.

The best thing about the service is that they provide recurring services. For example, parents are allowed to request for the same driver to pick their children up from school at the same hour every day, provided that the drivers are available. If an emergency crops up for the driver, a replacement will then be assigned.

For those wondering, the service also caters to young boys who are aged 16 and below.

As Tan is still matching rides manually, those interested in taking a ride can message Riding Pink on Facebook message or Whatsapp them at 016-2722554. Pick up and drop off points will be requested, and a fare will then be offered to the rider.

For more info, visit Riding Pink’s official website.


Groupon Malaysia Now At Your Fingertips

Today, Groupon Malaysia announced the debut of the popular free app Groupon HD for iPad to Malaysian shoppers. If you’ve always been a huge fan of Groupon, well, you know what this means, right? With Groupon HD, subscribers can now use their iPad devices to buy and redeem Groupon deals from their favorite local merchants, as well as Groupon Goods and Groupon Getaways deals.

Yup! Groupon literally right at your fingertips!

Other highlights of Groupon HD for iPad include:

To download the free Groupon HD for iPad app, visit the iTunes App Store.

For more information on Groupon’s mobile services, visit their website.


#FMFA2014: ALIFE Expresses Shock & Disbelief Over Real Cause Of FMFA Deaths

Following the recent discoveries on Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA) 2014, the Malaysian association of Arts, Live, International Festivals and Events (ALIFE) have expressed their sheer disbelief via an official statement.

In case you missed it, The Star published a front page piece just today (1st June) on what really caused the FMFA 2014 deaths. It was revealed that drugs were not the cause of the deaths of the 6 people at FMFA last year but instead, heatstroke. The Star cited University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) forensic pathology department head Prof Dr K. Nadesan, who confirmed the cause of the deaths.

UMMC handled the post-mortem for 3 of the dead and also treated 9 others. Dr Nadedan said those who died tested positive for ecstasy or MDMA, but it was much lower than the average recreational level of 0.1 to 0.25 microgram per millilitre. Autopsies on the “virtually dried up” bodies, including one which had a temperature of 39°C, led Dr Nadesan to rule the deaths as caused by heatstroke.

As such, ALIFE has spoken up with regards to the new findings:

The association of Arts, Live, International Festivals and Events (ALIFE) are shocked at the latest report that has surfaced in The Star today regarding the causes of death at Future Music Festival Asia 2014 (FMFA 2014). Like the Malaysian public, the arts and live events industry, for over a year, has been led to believe that drugs played a decisive factor to the unfortunate deaths at FMFA 2014. Since the incident of that day, FMFA has been made as a scapegoat for the decline of the live events industry in Malaysia, particularly when it comes to events that promote the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) genre. Shows with EDM elements have been rejected by authorities for fear of similar drug related deaths recurring. With the latest discovery and in the interest of full transparency, we call on the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to first and foremost make public the investigation reports on FMFA 2014, information which till this day, is only privy to only the PDRM.

Our hearts also go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy as they are once again, forced to seek closure over a year on.

Over the past year, several major events in both Malaysia and Singapore were cancelled with the “serious concerns over drug abuse” excuse, such as “Life in Color” in April 2014, “FMFA15” in Singapore in March 2015, and the recent “Thirst 2015: We Are All Stardust” in April 2015.

The tragedy cast a gloom over the Malaysian live events scene, particularly those that were linked to dance music, and the abrupt cancellations that followed undoubtedly cost organisers huge financial losses, the trust of the gungho ticket buyers, and above all, left thousands unhappy and weighed down by disappointment.

For more information, visit ALIFE’s Facebook page.

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Outdo Your Friends With #Bengga

In this technology-driven world where smartphone users are constantly finding for new ways to communicate or share content, the most popular apps downloaded are usually social media ones. Or just social ones – beyond the staple Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram apps.

The past month has seen the release of some pretty interesting social apps such as Bolt and Hyperlapse. Bolt is a messaging app that connects you with your friends via “one tap photo messaging” while Hyperlapse is geared to change how you share your Instagram content. Both apps are great and addictive, and in a way drives you to compete with your friends to come out with creative ways to say or do something.

Now, another social networking app has begun to slowly make waves around the globe – the newly developed app called “Bengga”.

What is this “Bengga” app? “Bengga”, when translated into English from Spanish, means “Go”. And quite simply, that’s what the app is – a call to action. Unlike other social media apps, Bengga instigates a photo conversation that less detached than say Instagram among its users through the process of something they developers call, “ReBengga”.

Fun fact: “Bengga” is a Filipino-made app. One of the very first!

For example, if you decide to upload a photo of your dessert and caption it, “My Slice of Heaven” on your Bengga account, with the “ReBengga” feature, your friends may attempt to outdo you by sharing their own “My slice of Heaven” photos. These “ReBengga” photos are posted to your initial post. After which, you will all be able to compare and converse with one another. You and your friends my also opt to vote for the best photos and then, based on the number of votes, the ph0tos will then be ranked.

What is does is that it creates a friendly competition between you and your friends and thus, making “Bengga” something more than just a photo-sharing social platform. So, if you think you take amazing photos with your smartphone, get ready to share it and “compete”. Or, if you think you take amazing photos, get ready to see how it matches up against someone else’s photos!

Be prepared to share, compare, do, and outdo your friends.

Note: Probably not for the overly kiasu.

“Bengga” is available for download via the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

For more information, visit its official website.


This Month’s Parties, Premieres & Presentations ROCKED. And We Were There!

Every week brings something new to town. It can be hard to keep track of every major happening – but we did it! And we had so much fun!

From Chinese New Year celebrations to premiere red carpets and product launches, here’s a list of dope events we went to over the past few weeks:

In conjunction with Chinese New Year and as a way of thanking its media partners, Boost Malaysia held a Media Kick-off Event last week. They showcased plenty of cultural performances while affording guests a delightful multiple-course dinner. It was a truly enjoyable night, with many wishing Boost well as they continue their efforts to create greater financial inclusion in Malaysia and the region.

Secret Recipe, which has been delighting Malaysians for over 25 years, hit a major milestone recently with the opening of its 350th outlet, at 1 Utama. But hold on to your horses, because, according to Managing Director Patrick Sim, Secret Recipe aims to have over 400 outlets by the end of 2025!

We attended the gala premiere of the upcoming horror flick “Harum Malam” recently. Here are some highlights. #harummalam #harummalamfilm #filemharummalam @idan #brontpalarae #remyishak #nadiyanisaa #ceritahantu #ceritahantumalaysia

Highly-anticipated horror film “Harum Malam”, by renowned filmmaker Dain Said, had its star-studded gala premiere at GSC, The Starling Mall, Petaling Jaya. The movie’s freakishly fabulous stars made “appearances” at the event, and they included Idan Aedan, Bront Palarae, Remy Ishak, Nadiya Nisaa, and Joey Daud!

We toasted the launch of Le Cinema Lounge 1664! Starting 10th February, at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s DADI Cinema, customers will enjoy a wonderful evening at Le Cinema Lounge 1664. They’ll receive a signature 1664 Rosé beer bouquet and exclusive 1664 Rosé pillows that’ll help them relax and enjoy the film du jour!

From the moment Maksim walked on stage, audiences at the Plenary Hall KLCC were spellbound with his musicality. Broken into 2 segments, the 47-year-old Croatian pianist brought back a ton of nostalgia with his breakout hit “Flight of the Bumblebee”, “Exodus”, and “Croation Rhapsody”. He even included popular themes from “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Game of Thrones”.

“Sometimes young people see classical music as too serious, and the way it’s presented in a concert hall can be a little cold for them. So, crossover which fuses classical and other types of music is more interesting to them,” he was quoted as saying during a press conference. More than 2 decades since he entered showbiz, Maksim’s musical ability and charisma can still draw in a whole new crop of music lovers.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

Viu Malaysia released the first two episodes of one of its most highly-anticipated series, “Nenek Bongkok Tiga”, which stars Hun Haqeem, Meerqeen, Sherie Merlis, Sara Ali, Syafie Naswip, Sara Mack Lubis, Fimie Don, Syazwan Zulkifly, Ashraf Muslim, Sofia Jane, and Rykarl Iskandar.

The red carpet premiere of the first episode took place at DADI Cinema, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, with appearances by the cast; as well as musical acts Chronicalz, Nakalness, Kidd Santhe, and KunfuHeidi!

A post shared by Watsons Malaysia (@watsonsmy)

Watsons Malaysia recently revealed its first greener concept store at The Tropika, Bukit Jalil, where more than 700 sustainable products are available. An initiative to promote more sustainable efforts, Watsons Greener Concept Store features green sustainable materials, reused modular furniture with advanced energy efficiency through eco-friendly air conditioning and store lighting panels, and is equipped with a wide range of exclusive sustainable products and services. Besides that, the store also includes a refill station for Naturals by Watsons, in-store engagement activities, O+O shopping and many more. Check out the new Watsons Greener Concept Store now!

A post shared by Ergoworks Global (@ergoworksglobal)

Ergoworks brings its spinal health and posture care science to the Malaysian market through the launch of its first flagship store at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. It will provide Malaysian consumers with holistic ergonomic and posture wellness solutions through its unique products and unparalleled services. From chairs and tables to school bags, Ergowork designs are specially made to cater to good spinal health. Visit the store today!

Known as a cult fashion destination for under-the-radar designer brands from all over the world, Sift & Pick has landed its first-ever physical store in Malaysia! Built by shoppers for shoppers, Sift & Pick selects and curates an extensive collection of authentic indie brands for those looking for something just a bit more different. Customers now have a chance to see and touch the products for themselves, with some of the store’s most popular brands – like MARHEN.J, FIND KAPOOR and Joseph and Stacey – brought in from Singapore and Thailand.

With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, Pandora celebrates how personal love can be with its newest Valentine’s Day collection. This season, Pandora is introducing a brand new chain design: the Pandora Moments Studded Chain Bracelet. Made with pyramid-shaped and spherical studs to capture and reflect light, the iconic chain will enhance every selection of charms, with a meaningful infinity heart clasp at its center to complete the piece. New romantic charms are also added to expand the Pandora Moments collection. What are you waiting for? Make this Valentine’s Day a meaningful one with pieces that tell your love story. Find a gift as unique as your love with Pandora. Head on to Pandora’s official website to look at the full collection.

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“Dude, Where’s My iPad, Dude?”

Barely a year after Apple technology guru and creative entrepreneur Steve Jobs left us, an upcoming independent biopic is already in the pipeline. Some of us had already expected it since his biography (by Walter Isaacson) was released.

What we didn’t expect was the leading actor of choice.

It was announced today that Steve Jobs’ independent movie, simply titled “Jobs” will be directed by Joshua Michael Stern. And who better to play and honour the late Steve Jobs himself other than the one TV and movie actor who bears a striking resemblance to a young Jobs, Ashton Kutcher.

Not to be confused by the other project by Sony Pictures, the rival film based on writer Walter Isaacson’s Steve Jobs biography, this indie biopic will chronicle Jobs’ rise from a Northern Californian hippie upbringing to the co-founding of Apple.

Sorry. We can’t seem to get Ashton Kutcher’s comedic side out of our heads but, that aside, what do you guys think? Resemblance like a spitting image?:

We have to hand it to them! Did the casting crew get the leading actor of choice for this spot on or what?


Hype’s Must Watch: Regression

A new trailer of “Regression” has been released, giving us a peek into the Spanish-English thriller film that stars Emma Watson and Ethan Hawke. The trailer, first released on 10th June, showed that the movie will revolve around a Satanic cult and some sexual abuse charges.

Watson plays the role of Angela while Hawke takes up the role of Kenner. Additional cast include David Dencik as John Gray, David Thewlis as Dr. Kenneth Raines, Devon Bostick as Roy Gray, Aaron Ashmore as George Nesbitt, Dale Dickey as Rose Gray, and Adam Butcher as Brody. The movie will see a reunion between Thewlis and Watson, as they both worked together in the “Harry Potter” film series, as Professor Remus John Lupin and Hermione Jean Granger respectively.

In the trailer, we can see Watson’s character looking petrified and stunned, but at the same time trying her best to recall her memory. Her character’s father appears unremorseful too, as he accepts that he committed a crime without remembering what he did. In order to help both characters, a police officer (played by Hawke) has to launch an investigation to find out the truth.

Minnesota, 1990. Detective Bruce Kenner investigates the case of young Angela, who accuses her father, John Gray, of an unspeakable crime. When John unexpectedly and without recollection admits guilt, renowned psychologist Dr. Raines is brought in to help him relive his memories and what they discover unmasks a horrifying nationwide mystery.

Alejandro Amenábar, a Spanish filmmaker, will be directing, producing and writing the script for the movie. Fernando Bovaira and Christina Piovesan will be aiding him in overseeing the production of the film.

“Regression” is set to be released in cinemas on 27th August 2015.


Dangerous “Skip Challenge” Is Trending On Social Media Again

It’s all fun and games when trying out viral challenges; until someone gets hurt, or worst – dies. This is probably why you should give the “Skip Challenge” a pass.

“Skip Challenge” also known as the “pass out game” requires players to press a person’s chest hard until he or she is unconscious. Several netizens claim that this unsafe activity had been trending before. Although the hype died down, it looks like school students are picking it up again.

As aforementioned, videos of teenagers performing the stunt have been making rounds on social media. In one of the clips, at least 3 students can be seen taking part in the “Skip Challenge”. 2 boys were filmed laughing while exerting enormous pressure towards their shirtless schoolmate. After a few seconds, he passed out but recovered moments later.

Neurologist Dr. Cempaka Thursina has condemned this game as it can result in seizures, brain damage, or even death. “If oxygen level in the brain is low for 2-3 minutes, the brain will be disturbed. For example, oxygen deficiency in the eyes can cause blindness. It is similar with other parts of the body in which the lack of oxygen supply can cause neural damages in those areas,” she said.

She added, “Skip challenge is a dangerous game. At the first challenge, they still can be conscious, but if they do it for multiple times, it can seriously affect their health. Therefore, it has to be stopped.”

You can check out a few videos of young children attempting the “Skip Challenge” here.

A word of advice teens, don’t put your lives in jeopardy just to look cool in front of your friends. You may as well “skip” this challenge.

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Phenomenal Sunrise Between KLCC Twin Towers Happening On 27th February

Getting up early isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some people prefer to stay in bed and sleep! However, there are things worth waking up for. Such as watching this rare sunrise.

On 27th February, this Sunday, the sun will be rising right between the Petronas Twin Towers. This phenomenal view only happens once or twice a year, so it’s definitely time to get your cameras out!

The Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC) are an iconic location, on top of being a place you can shop at. However, this year, we also get a chance to enjoy its beauty backlit by the perfect sunrise. On 27th February, the sun is set to rise right between the two towers, giving a beautiful visage to anyone watching.

According to Twitter user Syazwan, this spectacular sunrise occurred last year as well. However, if you missed it, or if you want to see it again, this is the time for it. He also recommends the best place to catch it and enjoy a lovely view of KL’s skyline, which would be Changkat Tunku Lookout Point, around 7am to 8am.

There are other places to catch this view, however, you have to be in the right place at the right time. But, do remember, that there will likely be others around hoping to catch the moment themselves. So, don’t forget to practice social distancing, and keep your masks on at all times.

Sunrise Between The 2 Towers – Took this photo 2 years back in 2019. One of my friend were planning this shot and told me to be there at the right place and the right time… and there I was snapping this shot.#photography #photographyislife #sunrise #klcc #kualalumpur pic.twitter.com/OnwUOnrsBr

This is definitely something to add to your list of things to do this week alongside our activity picks here. But, if you can’t quite make it this Sunday, don’t be too upset. According to Syazwan, the phenomena might happen again on 15th October this year. Or else, there’s always next year!

Sources: Lobak Merah, The Rakyat Post, Twitter


#Deadpool2: Jack Kesy To Play Major Villain

“The Strain” actor Jack Kesy will be joining Ryan Reynolds in 20th Century Fox’s “Deadpool 2”.

According to IGN, Kesy is taking up the role of a major villain and sources suggest that it’s Black Tom Cassidy, a Dublin-born villain who can manipulate, bond with, and project energy through plant life. The Marvel character can also issue concussive blasts with a wooden object.

Black Tom made his first appearance in “Uncanny X-Men” #101 in October 1976. As the cousin of Banshee aka Sean Cassidy and uncle to Siryn, he was also the close friend and ally of major X-Men villain, Juggernaut aka Cain Marko. Besides that, he has also clashed a few times with Deadpool.

Meanwhile, Kesy is best known for playing goth rock star Gabriel Bolivar in “The Strain”. He can also be seen in the “Baywatch” movie (where he plays a man named Leon) and Nicolai Fuglsig’s “Horse Soldiers” alongside Chris Hemsworth.

“Deadpool 2” will be directed by David Leith and is slated for release on 1st June 2018. Ryan Reynolds will be reprising his role as the Merc with the Mouth while Josh Brolin plays Cable.

The highly-anticipated sequel will also star Zazie Beetz as Domino, Morena Baccarin as Deadpool’s love interest Vanessa, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, Stefan Kapacic as Colossus, and Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead.


#Tumblr: Microblogging Platform Rolls Out New Real-Time Messaging Feature

Hey Tumblr addicts. Now, you can finally carry on real-time conversations with Tumblr users!

This is because Tumblr just announced a new messaging feature today, and it has launched across Android, iOS, and the web.

Although it’s not immediately available to everyone, it will be.

Tumblr is taking a “viral” approach to rolling out their new feature, giving the feature to 1,500 users first to start with. Then, everyone those 1,500 people message will also gain the new function, and everyone those people message will gain the new function, and everyone those people message will..you get the picture. It’s like magic. And this means that you can probably send Taylor Swift messages via Tumblr! Probably.

Tumblr estimates that everyone will eventually get it sometime by December this year.

But what about the fan mail feature, you ask?

Once you have messaging, the fan mail feature will change i.e. old fan mail conversations can keep kicking but you’ll need to use the new Tumblr messaging feature for initiating outgoing conversations. If you don’t want to be bugged by random people, you can change an option in your settings so that you’ll only receive messages from the people you follow.

And that’s not all! In other related news, according to The Verge, Tumblr is also currently working on support for GIFs, images, and group chat for their new messaging feature. Fun times ahead :D

Sources: The Verge, Tumblr Support Page.

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“It’s The Loneliest Feeling In The World”: Jessie J Suffers Heartbreaking Miscarriage

Miscarriages are the worst thing that could happen to expecting parents. Some people need their time off away from other people, some would want to be surrounded by loved ones, while others have to go on about their day.

For Jessie J, she indeed is as strong as her vocals are. She announced her miscarriage, which took us by surprise, last night through her private Instagram account.

From her post, we know how fast a situation could change; in just a few hours, after one scan, excited laughter turned into emotional break downs. The “Price Tag” singer announced how the fetus inside of her is now lifeless after she went through her third pregnancy scan. She broke the devastating news the day after she had gotten it; right a few hours before her concert in Los Angeles. She made the revelation through social media rather than in person stating how it ‘feels safer’.

Despite the traumatic incident, she has decided to continue with the gig. That was also another reason why she broke the news through Instagram; on what according to her caption, to avoid “a tearful emotional speech explaining her energy (on stage).” Other than that, she explained her reasons on still wanting to perform, which was not to “avoid the grief or the process” because to the legendary singer, performing on stage is a form of self-therapy.

In one of her paragraphs, she said that she was grateful to be given a chance to experience pregnancy because it was all she ever wanted, and she has stated along the lines of how she will try getting pregnant again in the future. She mentioned how she resonates with all the women around the world who have been through such pain. She describes the feeling of miscarriage as, “the loneliest feeling in the world.”

Our condolences goes out all the way to Jessie J for the lost of her child. She is a strong woman, and we hope she gets through this stronger than she ever was.


Bridges Tour: Pop Opera Singer Josh Groban To Perform In Asia In 2019

Josh Groban has always been well known for his impressive vocal pipes. Fans in Asia will finally get to experience it live.

Come February 2019, the 37-year-old singer will be bringing his “Bridges Tour” (named after his 8th album released) to this part of the region. Besides his monster hit, “You Raise Me Up”, you may also remember him for pop ballads such as 2006’s “You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up)” and 2002’s “To Where You Are”.

So far, only 2 countries in Asia have been announced so far. They include Singapore (which will mark his first ever concert in the country) and Manila, Philippines. To date, Groban has sold over 30 million albums and has even appeared in films (2011’s romantic comedy “Crazy, Stupid, Love”) and television shows (“The Office”, “Glee”, “The Good Cop”).

The details to Groban’s Singapore concert are as follows:

The details to Groban’s Philippines concert are as follows:

Fingers crossed, Malaysia won’t be overlooked.


#Spotify: Ed Sheeran Sets Record With “Thinking Out Loud”, Spotify’s Biggest Hit

Who better to hit the half a billion Spotify plays mark than British folk-pop singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran?

First announced by Spotify, Ed Sheeran’s chart-topping “Thinking Out Loud” has become the first song ever to reach 500 million streams on Spotify.

To celebrate, the streaming service released its Ed Sheeran Index (what a name!), a measure of Ed’s popularity by country. Denmark, Norway, and Singapore have the highest concentration of Sheeran fans worldwide.

Spotify also shared some bonus facts highlighting the singer-songwriter’s popularity among its users.

For example, Ed Sheeran is 2nd in streams only to Eminem, and also boasts the 3rd most worldwide listeners of any artiste (behind The Weeknd and Calvin Harris). That’s right – Ed is that close behind his bff Taylor Swift’s DJ/producer boyfriend!

On top of that, a quarter of its users listen to his music at least once per month and 1 in 4 users has the recording artiste in at least one playlist.

Spotify quoted Ed as saying upon hearing the news:

Chuffed to hear that “Thinking Out Loud” has had half a billion plays on Spotify. Being the first artiste to hit that milestone is amazing. Thanks to all the people who use this as A WEDDING SONG, soundtrack to a date, and as a way to woo someone into a netflix-and-chill situation.

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#PavilionKL: A “Summer Holiday Splash” Ft. Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the premier shopping destination in Malaysia, launched its annual school holiday campaign today. Themed “Summer Holiday Splash”, the celebration features popular Nickelodeon character, SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends!

As a campaign highlight, the mall has brought in the largest Bikini Bottom inflatable playland in Malaysia, which is 20 feet tall and has a combined length of 60 feet. Fans now have the chance to bounce into Bikini Bottom, the underwater city where SpongeBob and his friends live in, within the animated series.

As a symbolic gesture to kickstart the campaign, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur invited over 40 children from Rumah Hope, Lighthouse Welfare Home and Shelter 1, to be the first ones to bounce around the giant inflatable playland.

The fun-filled event peaked when Bikini Bottom’s most famous residents, SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star made a special appearance at the Centre Court. The children broke into lively cheer when both SpongeBob and Patrick did a “live” dance-a-long session with them.

The once-in-a-lifetime event for the children ended with a free flow of tea-time Bikini Bottom-themed snacks and juices.

Upon the launch, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s Director of Marketing Ms. Kung Suan Ai said:

Bringing in international experiences for our shoppers is one of our mall’s USPs, which is why we chose to partner with Nickelodeon for this iconic showcase. I am confident that this inflatable playland that is the largest of its kind in Malaysia, will bring about many memorable experiences for all. While we host families here to a great day out at our mall, we are also sensitive to what other families around the world are undergoing. In light of the recent Nepal earthquakes, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur will be donating part of the money collected from the inflatable playland passes to Mercy Malaysia, in support of their relief efforts for Nepal.

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur would like to acknowledge partners Maybank, i2 Promotions and Harvey Norman Fuji Film for being a part of the “Summer Holiday Splash” campaign.

For more information, shoppers can visit the mall’s website.


Man Proposes To Girlfriend With 25 New iPhone Xs

You get an iPhone X, she gets an iPhone X, everybody gets an iPhone X!

An engineer from Shenzhen, China recently pulled off an over-the-top proposal to his girlfriend. Plus, he did that with 25 newly-purchased iPhone Xs. It didn’t take long before news of his proposal made headlines all over the internet.

Chen, who works as a game programmer, had scattered red rose petals on the floor before arranging the expansive Apple gadgets in a shape of a heart. A pink engagement box was strategically placed in the middle of the iPhones. When asked the reason for presenting 25 iPhones, Chen explained that it was because his beau, Lee, is 25 years old this year.

In planning for his marriage proposal, Chen enlisted the help of Lee’s sister and close pals. The unsuspecting Lee was taken by surprised by his sweet gesture when she walked into the romantic location that was decorated with white and purple balloons. Chen then got down on one knee and proposed to his sweetheart with a custom-made engagement ring.

During the happy occasion, Chen decided to gift those who helped in pulling off this proposal with an iPhone X each. How generous! “One iPhone X in China starts from RMB8,388 (RM5,356). With 25 models of the iPhone X, he would have paid RMB209,700 (RM133,915), which can be used for paying a down payment for a house,” one netizen was quoted as saying.

Source: News Asia / Featured image: Apple Daily.


WINNERS: Official “The Wanted” Merch Up For Grabs!

Hello, troopers and sun chasers. Our official The Wanted merchandise contest has finally come to an end. We’d like to thank all of you who participated. It didn’t occur to us how many The Wanted fans there were until we ran the contest. Wow!  So thank you, for flooding our Twitter timeline.

And finally, here are the THREE lucky winners who has managed to snag ’em goodies:

Congratulations, you! And special thanks to our friends from Universal Music Malaysia for making this happen.

Kindly collect your prize from our office from the 12th September 2012 (Wednesday) onwards. Details are as follows:

B-13-5 Northpoint Office Suites, Mid Valley City,

Psst. Don’t forget to catch The Wanted LIVE in Kuala Lumpur on 18th September 2012 (Tuesday)!

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(NSFW) #RobbieWilliams: Pop Icon Strips Naked For X-Rated Photoshoot

Robbie Williams is sharing more than a few naked truths in the latest addition of “Attitude”, the reigning king of Britpop is literally baring it all for the world to see.

Clothes? What clothes. Even at 42, the brutally honest singer, who just dropped his new album “The Heavy Entertainment Show” last week, shows no sign of letting up. Judging from his latest x-rated photoshoot, Williams proves that he hasn’t lost his sex appeal yet.

Standing confidently with his legs apart, the “Party Like A Russian” hit maker can be seen flaunting his heavily tattooed body on Attitude’s magazine cover while covering his modesty with both hands. Williams looks playfully shocked as we do with his mouth wide open.

During the interview, the British pop star opened up to the publication about his struggles as a former sex addict. “Sex addiction does exist — it does. It totally does. Depression was a taboo subject but it’s not demeaned any more. Slowly it is happening. People talking about sex addiction will become commonplace and normalised because it should be,” said Williams.

There is also an alternate covers that is available for readers to subscribe online via print orders. As you can see from the slightly less risqué photo above, Williams can be seen suggestively sucking his middle finger.

A few months ago, fans got a sweet tooth when Williams’ wife, Ayda Field, posted a short clip of him completely nude except for a cake with cream frosting covering his private parts. The couple had been playing a game of “Would You Rather”, where Williams said he would rather possess the power of invisibility over the ability to eat desserts without putting on weight.

Cake won by a landslide!! @robbiewilliams I think you might be confused. #lol #lmao #mcm #mondayfunday #mondaymadness #cake #supernatural #? #? #ryda

A video posted by Ayda Field Williams (@aydafieldwilliams) on Jul 25, 2016 at 2:52pm PDT

“The Heavy Entertainment Show”, which marks Williams’ 11th studio album, is out in stores now.

Sources: Huffington Post, Daily Mail, Heart.


#Tomorrowland: Warner Bros Releases 3rd Movie Trailer

Walt Disney Pictures has released a new trailer for “Tomorrowland“, featuring new footage from the movie.

The 3rd trailer for the sci-fi adventure film featured more special effects shots and gave audiences an exciting glimpse in preparation for their trip to the world beyond tomorrow.

The plot centres on Casey Newton (played by Britt Robertson), a young girl who possesses a mysterious magical pin that transports her into Tomorrowland, the land where “anything is possible“. After being unwillingly kicked out, she seeks help from inventor Frank Walker (played by George Clooney) to assist her in returning to the world filled with magical elements.

The new footage took place in Walker’s home, which looked like a impenetrable fortress. Human-like robots appeared and an awesome fight scene ensued between Walker and the robots. The trailer ended with Walker saying, “You wanted to see Tomorrowland? Here it comes.”

“Tomorrowland” is produced, directed and written by Brad Bird. Damon Lindelo co-wrote the script with Bird and co-produced the film with  Jeffrey Chernov. It also stars Hugh Laurie, Tim McGraw, and Raffey Cassidy.

The official synopsis provided by Disney is as follows:

Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (played by Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (played by Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland”. What they must do there changes the world – and them – forever.

The movie is slated for release on 22nd May 2015.

Visit the movie’s interactive website and official Facebook for more details.

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We Want (Korean) Kandy!

Unleash the K-pop fangirl/fanboy in you come 19th of May (Saturday) because Milk Club, Bangsar is bringing you a night you’d want to attend and remember forever! Along with KNUKEast, Milk Club is presenting you one of the first of its kind, “KANDYPOP!“.

From SNSD to Big Bang, 2PM to f(x), “KANDYPOP!” is all set to be a night full of K-pop goodness for you to party up, sing, and dance along to.

The event will feature none other than the “KANDYPOP!” maestro, DJ Mario, who promises to play all your favourite tunes from all your favourite K-pop bands and idols so be prepared to bust those choreography moves you’ve got down to a pat from watching the videos or secretly practicing in your room:

[youtube id=”pKuUXxBxIlQ” width=”600″ height=”350″]

That’s right. Like that. Don’t be shy now!

This is also the opportunity to forget that you’re in Malaysia and head out all dressed up in your own brand of K-fashion to have a night out – Korean style!

Entrance to “Kandypop!” is limited to those aged 21 and above only. Deets are as follows:

For more info on their drink packages, visit their official Facebook page here.


Hype’s Now Playing: SNSD Girls’ Generation – Party

And SNSD Girls’ Generation is back with the first single off their highly anticipated comeback album!

Previously, SNSD member Tiffany dropped hints and uploaded pictures on her Instagram from the shooting location for “Party” in Koh Samui, Thailand. Helmed by Johnny Brothers’ director Hong Won Ki, the filming took place between 10th – 14th June.

Known for his visually stunning music video productions, Hong Won Ki previously impressed with Seo Tai Ji‘s “Moai” in 2009. His resume also includes working with artistes such as TVXQ‘s “Something”, BEAST‘s “Shock”, SECRET‘s “Madonna”, f(x)‘s “Rum Pum Pum Pum”, and more.

Did he manage to outdo himself this time around with the “Party” project? We dare say so ;)

The music video looks like the beach party of your (read: a SONE’s) dreams, considering the fact that if you were there on the Koh Samui beach with SNSD Girls’ Generation, you’d be soaking in the sun flanked by 8 very hot idols. The song, as expected, is as upbeat and summer-y as you would’ve imagined, with the girls making the most out of what’s left of the summer season vibe in South Korea.

Truth be told, we’re going to be bobbing our heads to this for days!

Also, we hear that there are 2 more music videos (“Lion Heart” and “You Think”) that are scheduled to be released. But while waiting for those, check out their chirpy, happy official music video for “Party” ;)

For more information, hit up SNSD Girls’ Generation’s Facebook page.

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realme Buds Air 2 x The Chainsmokers Available Starting 3rd April

Music lovers will understand the pain of hunting for a good pair of earphones or earbuds. If you want good quality sound, you need quality earbuds.

Recently, realme Malaysia launched its realme Buds Air 2 in collaboration with The Chainsmokers, the popular DJ and production duo.

The realme Buds Air 2 come with an Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system and 25 hours of usage for users to enjoy daily, all-day usage. The earbuds are also suitable for youths who want style along with a good audio accessory. Tiffany Teh, Brand Manager of realme Malaysia stated that it is an amazing accomplishment with The Chainsmokers. “With realme Buds Air 2 in your ear, Malaysians will leap to noise off world while hearing the sounds you love as it reduces unwanted noises,” she said.

The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system is the real highlight of the earbuds. It removes unwanted noise allowing for better immersion in gaming, watching videos or listening to audios. By filtering out low frequency noises, it is able to reduce the noise up to 25dB. However, the reverse is possible with its Transparency Mode. With a click, users can hear conversations around them without taking off the earbuds. No more fumbling with your earphones when conversing with people!

Of course, having Active Noise Cancellation can take a toll on the battery life. Instead of enjoying 25 hours worth of playback time, you’ll only get 22.5 hours if Active Noise Cancellation is turned on. Tragic. Jokes aside, the device supports fast charging; 10 minutes of charging allows you to experience 2 hours of playback. The earbuds themselves will last for 5 hours with only a single charge within an hour.

For gamers, the realme Buds Air 2 can cater to your needs with the upgraded Game Mode. With a super low latency of 88ms, it showcases a 35% reduction as compared to the previous generation. The earbuds also come with a new generation of Bluetooth 5.2 which ensures a stable connection even in an environment with multi-device interference. You can keep playing music seamlessly with a 10 meters transmission distance and avoid sync errors at critical moments while gaming.

The collaboration between realme Audio Studio with The Chainsmokers aims to improve the sound quality and experience of the realme Buds Air 2. As such, the diamond-like carbon diaphragm selected presents an ultra-high quality sound for the user’s ultimate experience. The distortion rate of the earbuds have also been reduced to less than 0.5% which is the industry’s highest standard. In addition, realme launched the new Bass Boost+ Mode as a bass enhancement solution. This fully utilises the power of dynamic coils and diaphragms, making bass sounds like it’s live.

The realme Buds Air 2 presents smarter audio experiences with its smart features. There’s an auto connection feature that triggers when you open up the charging case, and when pairing for first time, Google Fast Pair is there to assist. The Smart Wear Detection reacts based on the user’s wearing condition of earbuds in real time. If the earbuds are taken out, it pauses the audio and if only one earbud is removed, the other earbud will switch to Transparency Mode.

There are two stylish colours for users to choose from; Closer Black and Closer White which splices two unique colours. The earbuds only weigh 4.1 grams each, lighter than a piece of A4 paper. To ensure comfortable usage, three sizes of silicone tips (S, M, and L) are given to allocate users with the right size. realme Buds Air 2 also supports IPX5 water resistance, (not applicable for its charging box) and is durable for complex daily use.

realme Buds Air 2 is available for RM199. The first offline sale at realme official stores and realme authorized dealers begins on 3rd April. It will be available on realme’s Lazada Official Store on 8th April.


Khairy Jamaludin Apologises To Veveonah On Behalf Of The Government

Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaludin has met with Veveonah personally to apologise on behalf of the government, and offered her the opportunity to work together.

The apology was for the embarrassing actions of two deputy ministers that stirred up drama when they accused the Sabahan student of faking her online examination in a viral video, uploaded back in June.

Sempat bertemu Veveonah di UMS. Saya telah mohon maaf kepada beliau dan ibu bapa beliau bagi pihak kerajaan. Saya juga telah cadangkan untuk Veve berkerjasama dengan @YayasanInovasi untuk membangunkan projek inovasi di kampung beliau dalam pemeliharaan alam sekitar. pic.twitter.com/LnK96fTadX

— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) September 10, 2020

Commonly referred to as KJ, the minister posted on Twitter yesterday (10th September), that he went to University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to meet with the student. “Had a chance to meet Veveonah at UMS. I have apologised to her and her parents on behalf of the government,” he said in his post.

KJ continued in the post stating he had proposed the Sabahan to work with Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) to develop an innovative project at her village to focus on environmental conservation. This was suggested since YIM is an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Previously, Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul, claimed that Veveonah faked her online examination on YouTube for fame. Later on, he claimed that he had received false information from Deputy Finance Minister Abdul Rahim, regarding her exam schedule.

However, Rahim stands by his claim and insisted that she wasn’t honest in the viral video, where she climbed and stayed on a tree to get better internet connection in order to take her online exams. The issue with the Sabahan has dragged for weeks despite the actual problem being the lack of network coverage in rural areas of Sabah.

According to Free Malaysia Today, Khairy said that the Cabinet is disappointed in the two deputy ministers about Veveonah.

Datuk Haji Masidi Manjun, UMS Board of Directors Chairman has verified that Veveonah did sit for the online examination in June.

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#Taeyang: Drama Ensues For “RISE” Concert In KL, But Concert Is Happening

Last month, a big blow up happened over K-Pop idol boy group B1A4’s members hugging their female Muslim fans at a fanmeeting event because it saw a backlash from Islamic religious authorities. At the fanmeeting, organised by TGM Events in collaboration with Acer Malaysia, the event people organised a game which gave fans a chance to interact with the B1A4 members on stage.

Media outlet Sukan Star TV’s Facebook page later uploaded a 3 minute odd video sensationally titled, “Perempuan melayu dicabul atas pentas oleh mat kpop semalam”, suggesting that Malay girls were “molested” on stage by the idols. The video quickly gained traction and went viral, garnering more than a million views in less than a day. Needless to say, it went awry after that with PAS “fearing” that there was a “hidden agenda” behind the event as well as JAKIM (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) calling for JAWI to take action against the girls.

Truth be told, it’s a really long story but you may read about it here, if you’d like.

Fast forward to less than a month later, K-Pop fans, especially BIGBANG fans, are bursting at seams with excitement as 7th Feb (Saturday) will see the large-scale solo concert of BIGBANG member, Taeyang aka “2015 Taeyang World Tour Rise In Malaysia“.

We say this because the speed of which Taeyang’s concert (what would be his first solo concert in Malaysia) tickets have been snapped up is said to be simply phenomenal. In fact, as of last Wednesday, already 75% of the tickets were sold. And if that’s not enough, the event is estimated to cost about RM1.5 million and will involve some 200 people to monitor the stage effects and concert equipment.

That having said, TMI reported that Taeyang‘s concert has been met with resistance from several NGOs, including the Malaysian Islamic Youth Association (Pembina), which expressed disappointment that the authorities had not been stern in handling the K-Pop issue.

On the other hand, Malay rights group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA) has called for Taeyang’s concert to be postponed or cancelled until the organiser abided by the rules and regulations applicable to performances by foreign artistes. In a posting on ISMA’s website, the group’s vice-president Muhammad Uzair Izzat Amir Muhammad said last month’s incident should be a lesson to all parties to avoid a recurrence.

But Taeyang‘s concert organiser has reassured that the show will adopt some changes that had to be made following the outcry over B1A4 incident. The organiser told TMI, “Response has been very encouraging and the upcoming concert has not been affected by the previous incident.”

The organiser also said that they have not received any warning or notice from the religious authorities, and that JAWI had neither blocked nor imposed any conditions on the sale of tickets for the upcoming concert. There will, however, be some changes to the concert programme to avoid the singer’s interaction with fans, and some Muslim groups have already begun making statements against the concert.

“We have discussed with Taeyang and the dance crew on wearing the proper attire. There will also be no interactive sessions between fans and Taeyang, unlike previously. Serious attention has been given to the concert programme to make sure that a repeat of what happened last month does not occur,” said the organiser.

When asked about Taeyang’s concert,Jawi director Paimuzi Yahya merely said that JAWI had asked the organiser to follow the guidelines set out by JAKIM. JAKIM Director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha told TMI that they would not be carrying out any specific monitoring:

The guidelines have been set by the Central Agency for the Application of Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal), under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry. As long as the organiser follows the guidelines set by Puspal, it is sufficient as the agency is responsible for approving or rejecting concerts by foreign artistes. Jakim merely gives additional guidelines.

Taeyang is also scheduled to perform in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and China on this tour.


#RapidKL: 50% Off LRT & Monorail Fares If Commuters Travel Between 6am – 7am

If you’re a commuter who uses the LRT (light rail transit) and monorail frequently, we’ve got news for you.

Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak has announced that all commuters would be able to enjoy a 50% discount on their daily commute if they travel between 6am – 7am starting from 16th September.

The move was implemented to encourage commuters to travel before rush hour, and to reduce the crowd during peak hours. The Prime Minister announced this during the launch of LRT3 project in Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam.

He also revealed several details about LRT3, which will benefit approximately 2 million people. The system, expected to be completed by 2020, will be 37km-long, and connects 26 stations from Bandar Utama to Johan Setia. Construction is slated to begin in early 2017, and will be integrated with the existing MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), KTM Komuter, BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), and Kelana Jaya Line LRT systems.

The public transportation system has undergone a number of changes in recent years, most notably the LRT system and the introduction of the MRT trains. The Kelana Jaya and Sri Petaling LRT extensions were opened on 30th June, while the merging system of the Sri Petaling and Ampang lines were axed on 17th July. The MRT system is also expected to be completed by 2018.

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1 Utama Mall Releases Statement Concerning Covid-19 Allegations

The recent spike of Covid-19 cases surfacing in our country, particularly in shopping malls around Klang Valley, has led to several rumours being circulated on the internet, especially on WhatsApp.

In an attempt to avoid further confusion, 1 Utama Shopping Centre came forth to address some fake news that had been spreading online. In this case, they clarified that these fake messages circulating on the instant messaging app are “Untrue”.

“With news of the Covid-19 cases appearing around Klang Valley, we appreciate and understand that everyone is worried. So are we. But it really doesn’t help things by making up imaginary brother-in-laws, yi ma ku cheh (aunties), this friend, or that friend, to cause misinformation and mass hysteria. Fear mongering through drama mingguans (weekly dramas) is not cool,” the shopping mall wrote.

On a more serious note, 1U added that many fellow Malaysians, businesses and retailers have gone through hardships, especially during MCO, and many of them are still struggling. They wrote, “We are all still on a fragile road to recovery. And it is important that we stay united to help our country and economy stay safe and continue progressing.”

In a related news, the Ministry of Health (MoH) also clarified on the false claims circulating on WhatsApp, saying that it is not safe for locals to visit shopping malls amid the recent hike of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia. As stated by Health Director-General, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the areas will undergo a thorough cleaning and sanitisation process.

“The locations visited by individuals with positive Covid-19 cases will undergo disinfection and sanitisation. Following this process, it is safe to visit these premises, in accordance to the government’s SOPs. Such inaccurate information may affect other parties. Avoid stigma. Obtain the correct information,” Tan Sri Noor Hisham wrote on MoH’s official Facebook page.

Always double-check the information you receive before spreading it to someone else, in order to avoid unnecessary panic. Stay safe, guys!

Sources: 1 Utama’s Facebook, MoH’s Facebook.


The Nike Gunners Challenge 2012

Now that Euro 2012 is over, guess what? One of English Premier League‘s top football clubs is traveling hundreds of miles across the world to see their fans. That could be you!

So, in conjunction with Arsenal’s 2012 Tour in Malaysia, Nike Malaysia will be launching an interschool challenge that will give one (and ONLY ONE) school an opportunity of a lifetime of having the players of Arsenal FC visit their school.

Working peeps, we can hear you wishing so hard that you were back in school again!

Last year, to commemorate Arsenal’s 2012 tour, the event was held in Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur. But this year, it seems that the format has been slightly tweaked. The challenge will now include an interschool tournament based on Nike SPARQ, a training and conditioning system that helps to build better athletes and is used by some of the best football clubs in the world.

The schools (more than 20 expected to participate) will be judged on a series of tests such as speed (20 meter dash), agility, endurance, and power. After which, the school with the highest average SPARQ scores and with participants that has completed the most “Make It Count” mission will win the opportunity of a lifetime of having Arsenal visit their school on top of winning RM5,000 worth of Nike products.

At the press conference, Joan Yeoh (Country Marketing Manager of Nike Malaysia) said, “We at Nike Malaysia have always been committed to playing a part in developing football within the country whilst providing platforms for young aspiring footballers to better their game through various grassroots programs. Through the Nike Gunners Interschool KL Challenge, we want to provide these youths with an exclusive access to the players with the hope of inspiring them. Students from the winning school can look forward to hearing first-hand stories from the Arsenal stars and gain exclusive insight into their lives as world class professionals.”

We have to say, though. Some lucky Arsenal “fanboys” are “Gunner” be really happy!

The Arsenal team is scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 22nd July 2012 (Sunday) and will be playing against the Malaysian XI at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on the 24th July 2012  (Tuesday) at 9:45am.

Not a student? Fret not! You too can snag a chance to watch the match when you purchase the Arsenal home jersey at any of the Nike outlets from 1st July 2012 until 21st July 2012. Go get ’em, tiger!

For more information, visit Nike Malaysia’s website.

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Hype’s Exclusive: Travelling Into Another Land With Will Sparks

Last week, Australian DJ/producer Will Sparks made his way back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia after about a year to play a much needed Melbourne bounce set at Gravity Club KL. The last time he was here, he made it bounce at Future Music Festival Asia 2014 and gave fans a night to remember.

Almost a year on from his last visit, we find out what Will has been up to and if he was just as excited about coming back to beautiful Kuala Lumpur as we were to have him.

Hey Will. Welcome back to Malaysia! Are you excited to be back here?

Hey you! Thank you. I am, I really am. I’m not excited about leaving tomorrow though.

Yeah, I could have stayed for 4 days but I had another show that was put in so I have to go to Singapore.

Aww. That’s a shame. Anyway, you’re no stranger to Malaysia as this your third time back here. What do you love most about the Malaysian crowd?

They just like all types of music, they love it all. It doesn’t matter if it’s commercial or bounce, which I mostly know. I don’t really do commercial (laughs). I think they’re just up for new things so it’s really cool and it’s good because it shows that they’re open for new music.

So, you used to listen to a lot of metal and you hated electronic stuff, what made you really go into producing?

Yeah! I didn’t get it, the electro stuff. The reason why I started producing was because I was a guitar player and I made a few of my own songs on my guitar but when I made them, I could hardly ever remember them. I’ve never said this before so this is our little secret, I could hardly ever remember the riffs I made and I’ll be like “F*ck it’s gone” and then I was like hold on, I can just draw it in, so it’s there. Then my creativity and my brain just went like crazy and I just went on with producing and incorporating my guitar.

Secret’s safe with me! ;) Do you still play your guitar and listen to metal? What other genres do you enjoy?

Yeah, I play it as much as I can and I listen to metal everyday (laughs). Other genres? Hmm…Classical and psy trance, old school minimal, old school Melbourne, I love progressive. I don’t know, I’m liking this new style house stuff, I love techno. I really just love everything because music is just vibrations to your ears isn’t it? It makes you feel good.

Cool. And when you create music, when you’re putting different genres and styles together, how do you do it? What is the process like?

Well, actually I was one of the first ones to put like an emotional melody with a hard-hitting drop. Well, it’s hard to say hard-hitting, it’s more of a Melbourne drop and I showed it to Joel and he was like, “Dude, this sounds like two different songs.” I was like, “Yeah, it’s two different genres but I love this and that so let’s just put it together” and Joel goes, “Alright, whatever, sounds weird to me but okay” and it did well, so I kept doing that.

Anyway, what was I going to say? Oh yeah, so like I love psy trance right, so I decided to write a track that was fast and made a track that was more psy trance-y. I had the vocal, I also had the Melbourne perks and base line, I don’t know. It’s just how it works I guess (laughs).

And what can we expect from Will Sparks this 2015? Are you working on any collabs/originals?

Yeah. I’ve got a collaboration with Deorro, 2 with Joel, these are unreleased tracks. I think I’m going to be working with a few other people. Got my record label, it’s already been planned for the first 6 releases or something. Some sick music coming out on that from boys like Zoolanda, Who Killed Mickey, and these are kids whose tracks are, “Oh my God, they’re such amazing tracks” so everyone’s that listening or waiting, my new record label is going to be packed with good music.

I’m also going to be touring the world and yeah, maybe a little bit more studio time. Last year, I did like 200 shows and I was just on my laptop, so I want to get into the studio and spend more time at home.

Great. Sounds like you’ve got a busy year ahead. So, as a DJ who’s toured around the world and did a lot of big shows, I’m sure you’ve heard about the recent brawl at Stereosonic. What are your thoughts on it?

Yeah, yeah I have. I hate violence. There’s no reason for it, it doesn’t fix anything and it just makes things worse. All it is, are heavy heads, people who want attention, people who can’t control themselves so good riddance to them. Sometimes, fight happens when I’m deejaying so when fights break out, I stop the music and say “How embarrassing. You’re a f*cking disgrace.” Anyway, no violence, thanks.

No violence, I like that. Anyway, where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years? I’ll have like extremely long hair and I’ll be by the beach, meditating. I don’t know, I’m only 21, by the time I’m 31, I’m going to know so many life lessons. I’ve already learned so much. I hopefully will have clocked it, and I’d still be deejaying here and there, not much, but hopefully, I would have had a few records out that were timeless. That’s what I’m looking forward to.

Speaking about having long hair, if you could pick an artiste or celebrity to cut your hair, who would it be?

To cut my hair? Artiste or celebrity to cut it? What difference would it be if it was an old person or a celebrity who was cutting it? (laughs).

Well, would you rather Miley Cyrus or Paris Hilton give you a haircut?

Oh God, neither (laughs). Probably, erm, f*ck. Maybe Miranda Kerr, so I can just look at her for a bit.

Okay last one. If you had to give up one of these, which would you pick, food or sex?

What?! Oh…you’re good (laughs). I can’t, I can’t, okay food. As long as I’m getting my nutrition somehow, with a tube going down my stomach or something. Oh God, I love them both so much and this is a hard one but I’ve made my decision.

Is that it? Alright, cool. Thank you, you’re the best.

We had such a blast chatting Will Sparks. Big thanks to our buddies from Gravity Club KL for making it happen.

We leave you today, with “Another Land” by Will Sparks:

For more information, hit up Will Sparks’ Facebook page.

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WTF Is Gorpcore… & How Will It Make Me Look Totes SNATCHED?!

It’s official: Core is the new chic. From reimagined rural life to pink aesthetics inspired by Barbie dolls, there are countless fashion cores for people to explore their personal aesthetic. The most recent one that has gained worldwide popularity is no doubt the Gorpcore fashion trend.

First coined by Jason Chen from The Cut back in 2017, Gorpcore is defined by functional and utilitarian outdoor wear outside of their intended use. Basically, what you would see on a hiker or a camper… clothing that is designed to be useful rather than attractive. It’s the idea that nothing is more stylish than clothes that are not stylish.

This outdoor-wear aesthetic has been gathering a lot of traction in recent years. From Gucci x The North Face to the most recent Maison Margiela x Salomon shoes on the spring/summer 2023 runways, it’s clear that the cool kids aren’t ready to let this trend go yet. Brands like Arc’teryx, The North Face and Salomon are currently the go-to places that people get their Gorpcore pieces, such as vests, fleece jackets, hiking shoes, and bags. However, luxury brands like Prada, Dior, Vetements and Loewe have also ventured into the trend.

While layering is an essential characteristic for many other fashion trends, each of the aesthetics carries a unique style of layering – and Gorpcore is one of them. When you think about more outdoorsy wear, it’s hard to imagine someone in jeans and a white tee. Many utilitarian pieces are designed to work best when they’re worn with other pieces, such as layering a fleece jacket over a base layer T-shirt. Basically, the bulkier you look, the better. The best thing about Gorpcore is, you don’t have to spend a huge chunk of your savings on designer clothing to get the look. All of the pieces you need can easily be thrifted, or come in more affordable options.

Similar to streetwear, logos are a huge part of Gorpcore. In case you haven’t noticed, Gorpcore is not subtle, at all. The trend embraces logos, whether it’s reflective brand logos that increase visibility in adverse conditions, or logo prints across the entire surface of the clothing.

Going hand-in-hand with layering, volume is essential in Gorpcore. It’s the complete opposite of minimalism, and it embraces bulky coats that are meant to be worn over layers. Deviating from the form-fitting look of it’s cousin, Techcore, trousers should be wide and straight (but not flared), with large pockets in which to fill your secrets. The jackets should be large enough to fit a bunch of layers beneath. Essentially, the only clothes that should fit you are your hiking shoes!

This one’s all up to personal preference. Most traditional camping gear and outerwear tend to feature bright colours like purple, orange, green, red, blue, and pink. These are most commonly found in matching shell suits and puffer jackets, worn in monochromatic or mixed and matched looks. These can be seen on celebs like Frank Ocean wearing a bright orange Mammut puffer jacket back in January 2019; or when A$AP Rocky started wearing vibrant Arc’teryx jackets. However, it’s undeniable that muted colours are also featured prominently within Gorpcore, particularly greys, blacks, browns, greens, and navies. So depending on your preference, Gorpcore can be presented in many different ways according to your unique style.