The Top 10 Moments In Music That Malaysians Couldn't Stop Talking About This Year
Bet you're humming one of them right now!
Published for Heineken, 02 Nov 2017, 03:09 PM
There's been a lot of unforgettable music moments in 2017, from record-breaking tracks to highly anticipated comebacks and more!
But the year's not over yet! And if you're the kind of person who lives for music, get pumped because you're about to become part of one of the biggest music moments of the year!
This November and December, Heineken is inviting you to unlock 100 different music experiences. Part of these 100 experiences include the #LiveYourMusic tours across Malaysia with a series of curated music events. Awesome acts include: Goldfish & Blink, Bate, Jhin, Chuckies & Whackboi, HypeEmBeats, and Hulkas.
It doesn’t stop there, part of the 100 experiences to unlock includes a chance to party VIP style at the Live Your Music Presents Tiësto concert on 8 December at KL Live. While best known for his huge festival shows outdoors, this time around, you'll be treated to an intimate show at KL Live for a one-night-only special event!
Live Your Music will also be presenting 88 Rising for the first time in Malaysia and you can also unlock this experience with a Heineken. The rising stars Rich Chigga, Higher Brothers, and Joji will all be here on 9 December to take you on a music journey with hard-hitting rap as they define a new and progressive Asian hip-hop scene.
And there are 100 unbelievable music experiences to unlock! Get more details on how to score tickets at the bottom of this story ;)
1. When 'Despacito' was played on repeat on the radio, in the clubs, at the office, in shopping malls... and then got banned in Malaysia!
We couldn't start off the list with any other song, 'Despacito' has literally been EVERYWHERE! Even before Justin Bieber was featured in the remix version, the fun Latin track was a bona-fide hit in its own right.
At the time of writing, its official music video is the most viewed YouTube video of all time and was the first YouTube video to ever hit 4 billion views. 'Despacito' is the first primarily in Spanish song since 'Macarena' to top the Billboard Hot 100.
It made headlines in Malaysia when it got banned on the day it became the most streamed song of all time.
2. After three years and lots of snake memes, Taylor Swift makes her epic comeback
People all around the world were watching Taylor Swift as she dropped teaser after teaser, leading up to her record-smashing lead single from her 6th studio album 'Reputation'.
It broke the record for the highest first-day streaming for a single track on Spotify with over 8 million streams within 24 hours of its release. The official music video also became the most-watched music video within 24 hours. Plus, there's no end to the stories that cropped up soon after, with fans dissecting every minute detail of the music video to talk about what it all means.
3. When we all freaked out after Ed Sheeran broke both arms and a rib after crashing his bicycle
Ed Sheeran has been on a roll, topping the charts across the world and making headlines with his hit single 'Shape of You'. With over 1.32 billion streams, 'Shape Of You' is currently the most streamed song on Spotify.
But it was Ed's crazy bike crash that really had us talking! With two broken arms and a broken rib, Malaysian Sheerios were worried Ed would be forced to cancel his sold-out show in KL. Luckily for us, Ed's concert in Malaysia will go on as scheduled!
4. When BTS became the first K-pop group to win a Billboard Music Award
If you haven't already heard of BTS, it's time to start paying attention 'cause this rising K-pop boy group is definitely going places. Experts have even said that BTS may pick up a nomination at next year's Grammy Awards.
They made history this year by becoming the first ever K-pop group to win at the Billboard Music Awards! They beat out popular singers Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and Shawn Mendes to take home the Top Social Artist Award. Before this, Justin Bieber has won the category every year since it was introduced back in 2011.
5. When Bruno Mars' concert tickets sold out in Malaysia and scalpers resold them for over RM4,000 each
Bruno Mars released 'That's What I Like' as the second single from his '24K Magic' album early this year and it became the 7th Bruno Mars song to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed on the Hot 100's Top Five for 24 weeks and in the Top Ten for 28 weeks, making Billboard history with its long runs in the charts with such a high ranking.
When it was announced he would be bringing his tour to Malaysia, fans eagerly waited online for the ticket sales to be open. As expected, the show was quickly sold out despite the RM888 price tag on front row seats. But it was the scalpers who dominated headlines when they started reselling seats for over RM4,000 each.
6. When we woke up to the heartbreaking news that Chester Bennington had died
The frontman of Linkin Park was the voice of an entire generation, expressing himself through an angst-ridden scream, who wrote and sang the words that resonated with millions of people and made them feel like they weren't alone.
Chester's suicide on 20 July shocked the world, leaving many speechless and in tears. As the tributes flooded in, we all came together to remember this musical genius.
7. When Miley Cyrus dropped the twerking and controversy, surprising us all with her new toned down style
There was a lot of buzz surrounding the release of 'Malibu' as it showcased a different side of Miley than the controversial one the public has come to know. Both her musical style and Miley herself emerged in a toned down and mellower style, to much praise.
With less than a day of tracking in the US, 'Malibu' got 29, 000 downloads and 4 million streams. By the end of its first week, it had 77,000 copies sold, 21.5 million streams, and over 50 million views on YouTube. It also became Miley's 9th top ten entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The single has been extensively covered and remixed, including by popular YouTubers Kurt Hugo Schneider and Sam Tsui as well as by the likes of Alan Walker and Tiësto, amongst many others.
8. After 5 years and a horrible legal battle against her longtime producer, Ke$ha finally released new music
Our hearts broke for Ke$ha as we followed the progress of her sexual abuse lawsuit against producer "Dr. Luke" that has been going on for the past three years. This year, the singer finally released her highly anticipated album, 'Rainbows', which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Fans and fellow musicians rallied around her to show their support and we can't wait to see and hear more from her <3
9. When Malaysian fans travelled overseas just to watch Coldplay live in concert
Despite Coldplay's ‘A Head Full of Dreams Tour’ skipping KL, that didn't stop Malaysians from flocking to Singapore and Bangkok to catch them live. When pre-sale tickets sold out, people offered to sell their kidneys in return for seats!
But for those of us who went the extra mile for Coldplay, it was totally worth it!
10. When The Foo Fighters teamed up with Rick Astley to deliver an epic 'rick roll'
The crowd at the 2017 Tokyo Summer Sonic festival were in for a surprise when headlining act The Foo Fighters invited a special guest on stage: 80's pop icon Rick Astley.
The Foo Fighters and Rick Astley then proceeded to bring the 'rick roll' meme to life by first playing the instrumental of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Team Spirit' to throw the audience off, before Rick then started signing the lyrics of his own 'Never Gonna Give You Up' instead LOL!
End this year with a bang by unlocking 100 different music moments with Heineken to share with your friends!
Prepare to #OpenYourWorld because Live Your Music is back for 2017 with a music experience unlike anything you've ever seen before.
This November, Heineken is inviting you to unlock 100 different music experiences. This includes partying at the Live Your Music Presents Tiesto concert on 8 December at KL Live. Also, catch 88 Rising for the first time in Malaysia with Rich Chigga, Higher Brothers, and Joji on 9 December.
All you have to do is enjoy an ice-cold Heineken at participating outlets throughout the month. For every bottle or glass you drink, you'll earn one point.
Check your ranking in real time with the live leaderboard and stand a chance to experience a new music journey! Find out more here.
Take a look at the awesome prizes up for grabs:
Rank 1 - The Ultimate Heineken Live Your Music Journey
An exclusive Heineken all-expense-paid music journey for you and three friends to one of the club capitals of the world! Be treated like a superstar with red carpet entry to some of Heineken's top clubs and their VIP rooms.
Rank 2 & 3 - Heineken "Party like a Star" Package
Party with your squad in style with the VVIP Heineken hospitality treatment to see legendary Dutch DJ, Tiesto, at KL Live on 8 December. This includes limousine transfers, accommodation, and their own private Cabana at the event for 15 people.
Rank 4 to 8 - The Heineken Live Your Music Journey - Sensation Jakarta 2018
A Heineken all-expense-paid music journey for you and a friends to Sensation Jakarta 2018. Dubbed as The World’s Leading Dance Event, this worldwide phenomenon is designed to dazzle the senses and takes place in stadiums and arenas around the globe.
Rank 9 to 50 - Heineken VIP Experience - Tiësto
2x VIP tickets to the Live Your Music presents Tiësto event.
Rank 51 to 70 - Heineken VIP Experience – 88rising
2x VIP tickets to to see the Asian music collective powerhouse, 88rising, at KL Live on 9 December.
Rank 71 to 80 - Heineken Live Your Music DJ Masterclass
A special DJ masterclass experience in Goldsounds Music Academy, founded by Malaysian DJ powerhouse, DJ Goldfish.
Rank 81 to 100 - Live Your Music Everywhere
Vouchers to receive a six-can pack of Heineken beer accompanied by a wireless speaker crate to live your music wherever you go.
