Diana Danielle Sings Mandarin in Multicultural Raya Song ‘Raya Macam Mana?’ with Rapper Francis Roman
KUALA LUMPUR — Actress and singer Diana Danielle has joined the wave of festive releases ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri with a new single titled Raya Macam Mana?, a collaboration with Malaysian rapper Francis Roman.
The lively track stands out for its multicultural approach, blending festive musical elements with a playful narrative that highlights Malaysia’s cultural diversity.
One of the song’s most distinctive features is Diana’s performance of several lines in Mandarin, adding a unique cross-cultural dimension to the festive tune.
Storytelling Approach in Music Video
The music video for Raya Macam Mana? adopts a storytelling style in which Francis Roman plays the role of someone curious about the traditions of Hari Raya.
Throughout the song, he poses questions about the celebration while Diana responds by explaining various aspects of the festival.
This conversational format allows the song to introduce elements of Raya traditions in a fun and engaging way.
Roman explained that the concept was intentionally created to showcase Malaysia’s multicultural harmony.
He said the project aims to highlight how people from different cultural backgrounds can appreciate and learn about each other’s traditions.
Mandarin Singing Presents New Challenge
For Diana Danielle, the inclusion of Mandarin lyrics in the song marked a personal milestone in her artistic journey.
Although she has been studying the language for the past three years, performing it in a recording studio environment proved to be a challenging experience.
She revealed that it took more than a month of practice before she felt confident enough to deliver the Mandarin lines clearly.
Despite the difficulty, Diana embraced the challenge as an opportunity to expand her artistic abilities and step beyond her usual comfort zone.
She also credited her Mandarin teacher, Ken Ng from Kunkwan International Mandarin Centre, for providing continuous encouragement during the learning process.
Support from Industry Peers
Diana said the encouragement she received from Mandarin-speaking colleagues also helped boost her confidence.
Their positive reactions whenever she attempted to speak Mandarin made her feel more comfortable using the language in her work.
According to her, this supportive attitude reflects the spirit of inclusivity that defines Malaysia’s multicultural society.
She believes that people should always encourage others who are making an effort to learn new languages or cultural practices.
A Surge in New Raya Songs
The release of Raya Macam Mana? comes amid a surge of festive music being introduced by Malaysian artists this year.
Several well-known singers, including Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Dayang Nurfaizah and Aisha Retno, have also launched new Raya-themed songs ahead of the upcoming celebration.
Diana acknowledged that the growing number of festive releases makes the music industry increasingly competitive during the Hari Raya season.
Importance of Marketing Strategy
In such a competitive environment, Diana believes that a strong marketing strategy is essential for a song to stand out.
She explained that collaborations with corporate partners often play a crucial role in funding and promoting music projects.
Without adequate promotion, even well-produced songs may struggle to gain attention among the many releases during the festive period.
Nevertheless, Diana views the increased competition as a positive development for the industry.
She believes that the lasting popularity of a Raya song ultimately depends on how well it connects with listeners.
Through Raya Macam Mana?, Diana hopes to deliver not only an entertaining festive tune but also a message celebrating cultural harmony in Malaysia’s diverse society.
-wilayah.com.my
