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Velvet hopes to spark renewed interest in Dusun with new album

Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025 Text Size: Velvet's ambition is to encourage a new generation to embrace their mother tongues, using music as a medium for cultural revival and pride. Kota Kinabalu: Sabahan singer-songwriter Velvet Aduk hopes to spark renewed interest in indigenous languages with the release of her long-awaited Dusun-language album, Ogingol, which dropped on May 10 across all major streaming platforms. The nine-track album is a deeply personal tribute to her Dusun and Kadazan roots, blending contemporary musical styles with ancestral dialects to produce something fresh and meaningful. Titled after its lead track, Ogingol, which translates to 'beautiful', the album features original songs that explore themes of identity, belonging, and cultural pride. Other tracks include Nokosuai, Bolintuongon, Mintogod, Miang-Miang Keladi, Kaandaman, Nouyan (a duet with Arddley Nicholas), Kopiruba Wagu Insan Tadau, and Koupusan Ginawo Ku. Most of the songs were written and composed by Velvet herself, and the album was co-produced and co-arranged by longtime collaborator Brandon Laurie, with Andy O'Mail on lead guitar. Notably, Kaandaman, written in Kadazan, marks Brandon's debut as a songwriter, expanding the creative team's contribution to preserving native expression. 'This album is my way of promoting and preserving my culture, just as we do every year during Kaamatan,' Velvet said. 'It is not just music – it is my way of learning, remembering, and giving back,' she added, describing the process as both educational and emotionally grounding. Raised in Kampung Inobong, Penampang, Velvet grew up immersed in the language of her ancestors, a connection that profoundly shaped her songwriting. Through her lyrics, she captures the richness of Dusun and Kadazan dialects as spoken across Sabah, weaving linguistic diversity into the fabric of her melodies. Far from a traditional folk collection, Ogingol pushes the boundaries of Dusun music, delivering polished arrangements that range from introspective ballads to radio-ready pop. 'I want Dusun songs to sound elegant and classy,' she explained, highlighting her desire to balance artistic authenticity with listener accessibility. Each track blends Velvet's distinctive vocal style with modern instrumentation, setting a new benchmark for contemporary indigenous music. The duet Nouyan features Arddley Nicholas, the Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) 23 Best Male Vocal award winner, further boosting the album's musical intensity. Velvet's ambition is to encourage a new generation to embrace their mother tongues, using music as a medium for cultural revival and pride. The album is now streaming globally on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube Music and other digital platforms, inviting listeners everywhere to discover the beauty of Sabah's native languages. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia