#SHOWBIZ: Diana Danielle roars back with 'Raja Dusta'
This isn't just a song; it's a bold, sassy, and empowering anthem about breaking free from toxic relationships.
Diana is turning up the volume on female strength, addressing the too-often-silent suffering caused by misogyny.
"I wanted to create something upbeat and fun, a playful jab at situations I, and many others, have experienced," Diana said.
While 'Raja Dusta' might echo some parts of her personal journey, she insists it's not aimed at anyone in particular.
Instead, it's a universal shout-out to anyone who's endured false promises and manipulated hopes and finally found the courage to say, "Enough!"
Known for her previous hit "Bersama Dengan Rindu" (Together With Longing), Diana is keen to emphasise that the message of 'Raja Dusta' transcends gender.
"I want everyone to vibe to this track, minus the bitterness," she explained.
"It's all about having the guts to make the best call for yourself.
"We've all been in unbalanced relationships, and this song is your reminder not to fall for sweet talk when actions don't match."
Diana's studio time with producer John Jeeves was clearly a blast.
She describes the recording process as "so much fun", even though it was their first time working together.
And the good vibes didn't stop there. Diana credits her whole team — Universal Music, the MV director, cast, crew and dancers — for their incredible support.
"I was a bit rusty, you know? It's been two years since my last song," Diana admitted.
"My confidence was a little shaky, but everyone around me was so supportive and made me feel totally at ease.
"I'm really hoping this is the beginning of a great comeback in music."
The 'Raja Dusta' music video was an adventure in itself, involving high-energy dance sequences and a marathon shoot at the Palm Garden Hotel in Putrajaya.
"I keep saying 'fun' because that's exactly what it was!" Diana says.
"It was challenging and pushed me way out of my comfort zone, but I knew I had to embrace the energy."
Ultimately, Diana hopes 'Raja Dusta' will be more than just a catchy tune.
"I want people to belt this out in their cars, in the shower, wherever! Music is a celebration, and I hope anyone who's walked away from a toxic situation celebrates their freedom and their own bravery," she added.
'Raja Dusta' is now available on all digital streaming platforms, and the music video can be watched on YouTube.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Diana Danielle wows fans with her unique voice on TikTok
KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Diana Danielle has been receiving widespread praise online for her distinctive and soothing singing voice. In a recent TikTok post, Diana, full name Diana Danielle Danny Beeson, shared a recording of herself performing 'Wildflower,' a song made popular by international star Billie Eilish. The nearly four-minute video quickly garnered attention, with many admiring her melodic and heartfelt delivery. Viewers flooded the comments section with praise, noting how perfectly her voice suits ballads. Many encouraged the 33-year-old actress to produce more song covers in a similar style. "Your voice is beautiful. You should definitely do more songs like this," one fan commented, while another wrote: "This is so much better, no more shouting needed." Other comments included, "Absolutely perfect." Diana's performance has unveiled a new facet of her talent, proving her artistry extends beyond acting and into music, showcasing a calm and captivating vocal presence that resonates deeply with listeners.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
This is a 'Sweet Spot' - Singapore-based Matilde G drops the summer's most irresistible pop surprise for music fans
Matilde G, the 20-year-old pop singer, songwriter, and performer originally from Italy, now based in Singapore, has unleashed her new single, "Sweet Spot," which is expected to be a big hit for the summer. Distributed by Sony Music, the song's catchy theme from the singer reads: " A moonlit spark. A tidal pull. A pop anthem you'll crave all season long. " The song, which officially arrived on July 18 but will be released worldwide on Friday (July 25), has already garnered more than half a million hits on YouTube and is also soaring in other online media networks. With this new single, distributed by Sony Music, Matilde G takes us to that magical moment when two people lock eyes and everything else disappears. Inspired by the night she met her boyfriend under a full moon, Sweet Spot is a lush, intoxicating track that pulses with attraction, confidence, and sonic heat. From the opening lines 'Saturday night / Met you under the full moon light,' you're transported into a world where desire glows like neon and the beat moves like warm waves. Produced by Julian Feifel and written by Matilde G with Shayna Zaid and Feifel himself, Sweet Spot blends smooth afropop grooves with glossy pop textures. It's rhythmic, sexy, and completely addictive, the kind of song that plays in your head long after the music stops. Matilde's voice dances between English and Italian, slipping in the sultry line 'Mi fai impazzire' ('you drive me crazy') with the ease of someone completely lost in the moment. There's vulnerability here, but also power, the sound of a young woman who knows exactly what she wants. 'This song is my favourite kind of memory,' Matilde says. 'Real, unexpected, and electric. I wanted to make a track that felt like falling, into love, into rhythm, into someone's arms.' A BOUT MATILDE G At just 20, Matilde G is crafting a world-class pop career from Singapore, with Italian roots and an international fanbase. With over 30 million global streams, over 500 ,000 followers, and performances across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the U S , and Latin America, currently, she's more than an artist, she's a movement. Her fandom — the MGs — is spreading from TikTok to every major platform. Her music, often born from deeply personal experiences, blends honesty with boldness, creating songs that connect instantly. She's sung about resilience, mental disorders, heartbreak, and now, with Sweet Spot, she opens a new chapter: pleasure, presence, and the power of a glance. -- Additional info on Matilde G - from Sony Music
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Sabah guitarist rebuilds his life, one song and stage at a time.
WHEN the pandemic struck, everything stopped for self-taught guitarist Cristopher Aban – the gigs, the hotel crowds, the competitions, and eventually, even his ability to hold on to his prized instruments. To keep his wife, daughter, and pet dog safe and fed, he made the heartbreaking decision to sell almost all his guitars – the very tools of his trade and passion. 'It was the darkest time of my life,' said Cristopher, 37. 'I didn't know if I would ever perform again. But I knew I had to survive. I had to protect my family.' Slowly, he began to rebuild – picking up small gigs, borrowing instruments when he could, and finding his way back to the stage one performance at a time. It wasn't just his career he had to restore – it was his confidence, too. Today, Cristopher is back on stage – not just playing but now attempting something that once terrified him: writing original music. 'Songwriting is not my repertoire, but I'm challenging myself,' he said. 'My next goal is to release a single. Not just instrumentals – but something that tells a story.' Born and raised in Sandakan, a coastal town in eastern Sabah about 300km northeast of Kota Kinabalu, Cristopher first picked up the guitar at the age of nine. With no formal training, he taught himself through YouTube videos, trial and error, and the early guidance of his brother. 'I cried a lot when people laughed at me,' he recalled. 'My fingers were too short to play some chords, and I almost gave up. But my brother told me not to quit. So I just kept playing.' That journey of frustration and persistence eventually blossomed into a lifelong pursuit of excellence. Over the years, Cristopher developed his own unique fingerstyle jazz approach – taking him from his bedroom to national competitions and international stages. His early breakthrough came in 2003 when he placed first runner-up at the Bunyi Guitar Festival at Dewan Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur. He later clinched the title at the Tommy Emmanuel Get Inspired Fingerstyle Competition in 2010 and went on to win the Borneo International Guitar Festival in Kota Kinabalu in 2013. He was a finalist on RTM2's Bakat TV, has performed on Astro's Muzik Ekstra, and appeared at major events such as the World Youth Jazz Festival in Putrajaya, KK Jazz Festival (2018), and Sepilok Jazz in Sandakan. 'Each performance taught me something new,' he said. 'About myself, the craft, and the audience.' From 2013 to 2019, he was the resident performer at Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan, regularly entertaining hotel guests and at private events. By 2020, Cristopher's calendar was packed with events and performances. Then Covid-19 hit – and the silence that followed was deafening. 'All jobs were cancelled. There were no performances, no events. We didn't know when things would return.' To make ends meet, Cristopher took on odd jobs and eventually had to part with his guitars – each one a piece of his identity. 'But my wife never gave up on me. She supported me emotionally, spiritually. My daughter gave me the strength to push on. I owe everything to them.' Cristopher is now working on his first lyrical single – a new chapter after two instrumental albums, The Pedestrian and A Stage, A Guitar and a Song, co-produced with Japanese fingerstyle guitarist Yuta Tanaka between 2014 and 2015. 'These titles represent my journey,' he said. 'I'm a pedestrian. I take things one step at a time, one stage at a time.' He continues to perform at local showcases and festivals, including Rhythm of Rimba in Sandakan, and is more focused than ever on telling stories through music. Beyond the personal comeback, Cristopher has a bigger vision – not just for himself, but for his hometown's music scene. 'I hope to become more successful and to bring more colour to the music industry in Sandakan,' he said. 'I also hope more Sandakanians will appreciate acoustic fingerstyle guitar music.' Having already checked off some dream stages like the World Youth Jazz Fest in Putrajaya (2014) and the KK Jazz Festival (2018), he now sets his sights even higher. 'One of my dreams is to be able to perform on a bigger stage,' he said. 'It's on my bucket list – and I believe it's possible.' 'I'm not chasing fame. I just want to tell my story, and maybe help someone else feel less alone,' he said. 'Music gave me everything – now I hope it can give something to others, too.'
