PETALING JAYA: When Sasidharan Chandran was 12 years old, he purchased an album titled “Hello Afrika” by Dr Alban, known for his Eurodance and reggae style of music.
That small action greatly influenced his life, leading him down the road to uncovering reggae music.
Today, he’s known as Sasi The Don - a pioneer in Malaysia's music industry, especially within the reggae genre. He is widely recognized as the Reggae Ambassador of Malaysia.
In an interview with FMT Lifestyle, Sasi revealed that when he was suggested to choose a stage name at the start of his career in 2000, he went with "don," which signifies a person of authority. Looking at his achievements afterward, it turned out to be a very appropriate selection.
Even before becoming a professional musician, he had already brought reggae music to the Segambut area where he was raised.
"When folks headed to the central bus station, they'd walk past my place. I used to blast music late into the night. Many have come up to tell me, 'Dude, the tracks you played got us searching for them,'" said Sasi, now 46, remembering those days.
He was so captivated by reggae and Dr. Alban that he was determined to become friends with his hero. "I sent around 50 to 60 emails to various addresses—some came back undelivered, but I never gave up."
One day, he chose to express himself in a different way. "I simply wanted him to realize that I'm here and producing music in Malaysia since his work was part of my upbringing," he explained.
He further urged Dr Alban to search online for "Sasi The Don Dr Alban," noting that he had always acknowledged the artiste's impact during previous interviews.
Dr Alban confirmed that his approach was successful. They eventually teamed up to create a track written by Sasi called "Music In Me," an impressive achievement for the teenager who used to admire Dr Alban's music from afar. Over time, they developed not only as collaborators but also formed a strong friendship between them.
Sasi was aware of how crucial it is to grab an opportunity when it arises—such as the time he encountered local performer Amy Search at an event where both were appearing. "I approached him and said, 'Will you sing a duet with me?'"
Amy also consented, collaborating with him on "Suatu Impian," a composition by Sasi.
Sasi has worked alongside various esteemed Malaysian and global artists such as Zainal Abidin, Anita Sarawak, Amy Mastura, Too Phat, Jaclyn Victor, Ning Baizura, Namewee, Maxi Priest, Anuradha Sriram, and Apache Indian.
"Discovering reggaeton made me a total enthusiast—collecting tapes, discs, putting up artwork at home. Never did I think I'd someday come face-to-face with those artists and even collaborate with several on tracks," shared Sasi, a parent running his own ad and PR firm.
Throughout her career, Sasi has received nominations at several prestigious events such as "Anugerah Era," "Anugerah MACP (Music Authors' Copyright Protection)," "Anugerah Industri Muzik," "Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian," the "Caribbean Afro Music Awards," and the "Nigeria Excellence Awards"—and she’s also taken home many wins along the way.
Sasi mentioned that his goal is to develop a unique musical style. "I blend traditional Malay, Chinese, and Indian instruments into my music. My work stays true to Malaysian cultural values and follows all local regulations. You won’t see women dressed immodestly in my performances."
He will be releasing his latest album titled "My Perfect Yard" during the final quarter of this year, with tracks recorded in English, Malay, and Tamil.
Reflecting on his journey, Sasi mentioned that reggae music broadened his perspective of the wider world. It motivated him to pursue the path of Dr Alban and showcase Malaysia within the global reggae community.
My wish for the reggae community, particularly here in Malaysia, is that it continues to grow and develop further. It seems many artists today lean towards mainstream styles such as ballads and R&B—perhaps because those were the sounds they grew up with and have an affinity for.
"But there exists an underground reggae movement in Malaysia. Many artists have formed their own reggae groups and perform at hidden venues across the country. While it may be tiny, this subculture has a dedicated following," he explained.
When attending a reggie show, you come exactly as you are. Whether you're wearing slippers or sandals, no one will mind—as long as you're there. What truly matters is your spirit and being present.
Discover more about Sasi The Don through his website , YouTube channel , Facebook , and Instagram .