
Malaysian Girl Group DOLLA Going Viral In Brazil With 'MWA!' Comeback
'MWA!' released on 9th May 2025 (Friday), is DOLLA's first comeback since Syasya's departure in 2024. The single is composed and written by all members of DOLLA, Chelsea Warner, Gaston Pong, and Roland Lim Shi Jie. Rapper Yonnyboii also participated in writing the lyrics. The song has already made waves locally, garnering over 100,000 streams on Spotify and over 400,000 views on YouTube.
However, two Brazilian Twitter accounts helped spark more global interest in the girl group. The first tweet came from Nunca Pause o MV, an online portal for news of K-pop and Asian music. The portal wrote about 'MWA!' in their tweet, saying, 'Funk is taking over! Malaysian girl group DOLLA releases their single 'MWA!', featuring funk beats.' The tweet also shared that the members participated in composing the new track.
The second tweet was from @/poponze, a Twitter account dedicated to celebrity and entertainment news with over 124,000 followers. In its tweet, the account shared about DOLLA's new track, saying, 'It's funk! Malaysian girl group DOLLA bets on the rhythm of Brazilian funk in their new single 'MWA!'.' The tweet has gained over 600,000 views since going live on 15th May 2025 (Thursday).
The two tweets highlighted the Brazilian funk elements in the new song. According to the credits on Genius, 'MWA!' includes a sample of the song 'Catuca Catucadão' from Brazilian musician MC Neguinho Do ITR. The sample can be heard in the intro and the chorus. The song received a lot of love from Brazilian netizens, who praised the group and the use of Brazilian funk in the track.
Meanwhile, Malaysian iDOLLAs are ecstatic that the girl group is gaining popularity overseas for their new single. Let's hope this brings more international love for DOLLA and their music!
Watch the 'MWA!' music video below:
Source: Twitter (1)(2)(3), Genius
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Harrowing encounters of courageous baby-rescuers
DIRECTOR Chong Keat Aun's latest movie was the opening film at the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival and recently had its North American premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival on July 12. The Golden Horse-winning director's third feature film is a deeply human drama inspired by the less-known existence of the 24-hour baby hatches around the country. It also zooms in on creeping societal conservatism that is withering away Malaysian women's voices with archaic interpretations of customs that govern their reproductive rights. Set around a baby hatch centre somewhere in the Klang Valley, it follows the journeys of two women who cross paths as a result of a baby hatch and face the longstanding social stigmas which challenge the right of single mothers to use them. The film begins with a nostalgic lullaby whose lyrics reflect traditional beliefs: "If you raise a son, he takes care of you when he grows up. If you raise a daughter, she belongs to others when she grows up." In the heart of Malaysia, the baby hatch is more than just the practice of a mother abandoning their newborn in a cradle at the designated centre — it is denounced by traditionalists who see it as a moral decline. Despite facing social media vitriol almost daily, Lai Sum (Fish Liew), Fatimah (Tan Mei Ling), Kam (Pearlly Chua), and Nurul (Jasmine Suraya Chin) — dedicated staff at their Klang Valley baby hatch — stand firm in doing what's right for mothers and babies. It is the end of Ramadan and as the only non-Muslim social worker at the hatch, Lai Sum works a few extra shifts to give her colleagues Kam, Fatimah and Nurul some time off. One day, Lai Sum encounters Lam Siew Man (Natalie Hsu), a mass communications university student, who is pregnant after being sexually assaulted by fake shamans. Torn between her unwanted pregnancy and her emotions, Siew Man wrestles with her trauma and is seeking an abortion but does not have the heart to do so. Lai Sum vows to help the teenager find a safe home for her coming baby and bring the perpetrator to justice. The film addresses several sensitive Malaysian social issues, among them gender issues, economic disparity and ideological discourse. Blending Cantonese, Malay, and English in an innovative style, this film explores the tapestry of Malaysian traditions and cultural beliefs. While most scenes occur at Lai Sum's workplace, the most emotional and climactic one does not. Instead, it takes place at a suburban cinema. As the friendship between Lai Sum and Siew Man deepens, the two go to watch a movie in a theatre, and somebody covers the projector with his hand. This casts a huge shadow of the hand across the screen, triggering assault memories within Siew Man, who begins hyperventilating and runs out of the cinema crying. On their way back, our heroines come across an ancient ceremony celebrating a baby's 30th day. In a brief but interesting talk with the baby's aunt (Mia Sabrina Mahadir), she explains that within the Minangkabau culture, women hold inheritance rights — a matrilineal tradition. She shares that her sister is fortunate to have given birth to a daughter, while she, by contrast, gave birth to a son. What follows is a mesmerising dance sequence where performers wave and later smash fragile plates. Eventually, Lai Sum's past is revealed, and the fake shaman practitioners are caught red-handed in a carefully orchestrated plan involving the social workers and the police. In this powerful two-woman play, Fish Liew and Natalie Hsu embody Lai Sum and Siew Man with subtle yet intense passion. Through their interactions filled with emotion, the friendship between the older woman and the student, both of whom are victims of sexual crimes, is executed beautifully. And it is a pleasant trip down memory lane to hear several Chinese lullabys which many of us might have heard from our elders when we were babies back then. Hong Kong-based Malaysian star Liew was spot on when she recently admitted that it was harrowing playing Lai Sum. This is because the protagonist had to deal with hundreds of sad and tragic stories of mothers who were forced to give their babies away, through no fault of their own. Siew Man has had a tough time, too. However, she is actually quite strong and rising star Hsu did not want to portray her as a victim but a complete person with joys, fears and hopes. 'Pavane For An Infant' is an emotional, yet hard-hitting movie that focuses on a topic that is fast being addressed all over the world, of mothers abandoning their newborns willingly or unwillingly. And just as important, it shows how patriarchal attitudes (male chauvinism) and the "blame the woman" mentality still prevails, even in developed countries. Director Chong hopes that his movie will encourage Malaysians to take a stand against sexual violence. At the recent launch of the movie, he rightfully hoped that his film will serve as a voice against it and empower both survivors of abuse and the women who save abandoned infants. PAVANE FOR AN INFANT STARRING Fish Liew, Natalie Hsu, Pearlly Chua, Tan Mei Ling, Ben Yuen, Yuan Teng, Jasmine Suraya Chin, Dishaaleny Jack, Mia Sabrina Mahadir.


The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
Seremban family's RM200 flag display for Merdeka competition
SEREMBAN: Jasmin Abu Hassan has turned his Taman Pinggiran Senawang residence into a spectacular display of patriotism using only RM200. The 53-year-old water company supervisor decorated his house with over 150 flags for the 'Rumah Terpaling Merdeka' competition. He received assistance from his wife Rosmaini Mohd Yusof, a 47-year-old kindergarten teacher, throughout the two-week decoration process. Jasmin explained how this year's effort surpassed his previous attempts at festive decoration. 'Last year I only hung flags, but this time I added a special touch by including extra decorations,' he stated. The additional elements included the Negeri Sembilan state flag and portraits of national leaders displayed at his house entrance. 'This year is livelier because there are winners every week,' Jasmin commented about the enhanced competition format. He noted that the decorations have become more creative compared to previous years. 'The children are excited to help,' Jasmin added about family participation in the project. He proudly displayed portraits of all Malaysian Prime Ministers from the first to the current leader. Jasmin achieved the overall runner-up position in last year's competition. The father of six has resided in the neighborhood for twenty-five years. Approximately forty percent of his decorations remain incomplete before the month-end deadline. Taman Pinggiran Senawang Neighbourhood Watch chairman Fadzil Sharil expressed satisfaction with the competition's growth. The 59-year-old chairman noted the event now enters its second successful year. 'We have received growing response, with more than 80 per cent of residents participating,' Fadzil revealed. He observed that participants showcase greater creativity in decorating their homes compared to last year. 'So far, we already have four weekly winners,' the chairman told reporters. Although the prizes are modest medals, hampers and daily necessities, Fadzil praised participants' extraordinary spirit. 'Every week new elements are added, making the neighbourhood livelier,' he remarked. Twenty best-decorated houses will advance to the finals scheduled for September 6. The competition features four judging categories: cheerfulness, arrangement, creativity and neatness. The neighbourhood watch committee has also created a national landmark replica for the celebrations. They constructed miniature KLCC towers using 500 recycled bottles and PVC pipes. This community project forms part of the broader National Month decorations throughout the area. - Bernama


Malaysian Reserve
12 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Malaysia targets ASEAN animation growth, unveils largest Riuh X ASEAN Festival
by NURNABIHAH DINI MALAYSIA is stepping up in pushing the animation industry as a viable export sector, with MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd and the National Film Development Corp Malaysia (FINAS) providing funding, production support as well as corporate partnership opportunities for the local creators. In a press conference today, Communication Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (picture) said both agencies will be instructed to go beyond providing funding by working closely with private sectors, as corporate backers begin to recognise the revenue potential of the creative industry, particularly in film and animation. 'The focus will be on creating synergies between corporate backers and creative producers, with MyCreative Ventures and FINAS facilitating in this matter,' he said. Fahmi added that FINAS is also working on initiatives to expand the export of Malaysian intellectual property (IP) to ASEAN countries. 'Malaysian animation like Upin and Ipin has already found strong audiences in Indonesia, while the local films have been well received in Vietnam and Cambodia. 'FINAS aims to build networks and facilitate the movement of Malaysian IP into the broader Asian market as a starting point,' he added. The press conference also highlighted Riuh X ASEAN Marketplace which will be held on Oct 22 to 25 at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur (KL) which will showcase over 200 retail brands, food vendors, stage performance from local artists and interactive workshops. The event will include the FrequenSEA Music Conference featuring musicians, producers and industry leaders from across ASEAN countries. In addition, the Riuh Gallery pop-up series will be launched on Oct 1 at selected Klang Valley locations presenting indie music, comedy, poetry and visual art performance. Ahead of the October programmes, Riuh Merdeka 2025 will be held on Aug 30 and 31 at Millennium Monument, Putrajaya with 30 hours of nonstop performance, family activities, showcases and fireworks.