Malaysia’s evolving music scene is increasingly serving as a platform for preserving Indigenous languages and cultural identities, driven in part by a new generation of artists blending tradition with contemporary sounds.

Velvet Aduk, a Sabahan singer known professionally as Velvet, released the album *Ogingol* last year, featuring nine tracks performed entirely in the Dusun language. At 39, Velvet draws from her upbringing in a small village in Penampang, Sabah, where Dusun was the language of daily life. She views the album as both a personal project and a cultural statement, aiming to demonstrate that Kadazan-Dusun is not merely a relic of the past or confined to traditional contexts but can also thrive within modern music genres.

“Like many Indigenous languages, Dusun faces the risk of fading as modern life progresses if no efforts are made to sustain it,” Velvet said. She noted that listeners, both those familiar and unfamiliar with Dusun, have responded positively. Some have expressed pride at hearing their language in a contemporary form, while others have taken an interest in learning more about the culture through her music.

Velvet emphasized that cultural preservation does not mean freezing traditions in time but rather nurturing them so they continue to evolve. “It’s crucial to carry the essence of our culture forward, allowing our language and identity to live and grow with us,” she remarked.

However, Velvet also highlighted the broader diversity within Sabah, home to Indigenous groups including the Murut, Bajau, Rungus, and Lotud, each with distinct languages and customs. She pointed out that while Sabah is often generalized as having a single cultural identity, the reality is far more complex. Rather than one artist representing all groups, Velvet advocates for younger generations from these communities to tell their own stories through music.

Echoing this vision is the Sarawak-based M-pop (Malaysian pop) boy band The Next, which debuted earlier this year. The group consists of five members aged 17 to 21, each representing different ethnic backgrounds including Iban, Bidayuh, Malay, Kenyah, and Chinese. Their self-titled debut single released in April features lyrics in Malay, English, Iban, and Bidayuh, reflecting the group’s multicultural identity.

Mikey, the group’s leader, acknowledged the challenge of incorporating regional languages into mainstream music, particularly given language barriers that might limit wider audience understanding. Nonetheless, the band remains committed to their approach, believing that using their mother tongues adds authenticity and fosters curiosity about Sarawak’s cultures.

The Next underwent three years of rigorous training beginning in 2023, modeled after K-pop performance standards, focusing on dance, vocals, and stage presence. Despite that influence, Mikey stressed that their artistic “soul” remains deeply rooted in Sarawak. They aim to blend contemporary beats and choreography with cultural elements, visible in their music videos and performances.

“Our goal is to keep our music current and relatable, but never erase where we come from,” Mikey said. The band plans to expand beyond Sarawak and hold a pre-launch in Kuala Lumpur in December for a new single and upcoming EP, targeting a national and eventually international audience.

They cite Sarawak-born musician Noh Salleh, frontman of the rock band Hujan, as an inspiration for successfully bringing a regional musical identity to a broader Malaysian stage.

Together, Velvet and The Next represent a growing movement among Malaysian artists who are using music both to honor heritage and to engage younger generations in cultural continuity through contemporary expression.