NDP2021 theme song The Road Ahead is like great rojak: Refreshing and moreish, Lifestyle News

It always irks me when people use the word rojak to mean hotchpotch or mishmash, which are words referring to a confused mixture – because rojak is anything but a thoughtless mess.

Think about your favourite plate of rojak and how seemingly disparate ingredients come together so perfectly to create a piquant blend of flavours and textures that is at once refreshing, savoury, and moreish.

And that’s exactly what this year’s NDP2021 theme song is like.

The Road Ahead merges the vocals and musical stylings of four local artists known by their single names (all the great ones are always mononymous ok): Sezairi, Shye, Shabir, and Linying, who co-composed the song with producer Evan Low.

At its core, the song is about counting on one another in challenging times. Reflective and poetic lyrics (that never stray into saccharine or hackneyed territory) are delivered with a decidedly young and modern touch.

Most importantly, the chorus is simple, melodic and catchy:

“See this island, every grain of sand Hear this anthem, it’s the voices of our friends Come whatever on the road ahead We did it before, and we’ll do it again”

We break down the ingredients of this praiseworthy portion of good rojak:

Linying

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMr2FoUF9Dw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Ingredient: Cucumber

Not to mention, the 27-year-old is as cool as one! She starts the song off with her pure, unadulterated voice, and is ever-present but unobstrusive – just like how the chunks of cucumber in rojak are there but not there, yet will be sorely missed if they’re not added.

Wah seh: She’s been named one of Spotify Asia’s 25 Most Influential Artists Under 25, and has received critical acclaim from Billboard and the BBC.

Most impressively, her song writing work for artists in Europe earned her the 2019 COMPASS Award for the most royalties accrued on an English song.

Sezairi

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQNiYnQDHFK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Ingredient: Turnip

We truly mean it when we say this singer-songwriter’s voice is as clean, fresh, and crisp as good, snow-white bang kuang. Just listen to his soaring pipes when the chorus hits.

And just like the way cucumber and turnip chunks go so well together in rojak, Sezairi’s sweet falsetto perfectly matches Linying’s dulcet tone.

Wah seh: The 34-year-old was the winner of Singapore Idol Season 3 in 2009, and has continued having musical success with hits like It’s You and Raindrops.

A-meow-zing fact: He and his wife are paw-rents to six cats – Caviar aka Matthew, Champagne aka Chad, Fifi, Luna, Reese aka Chonker, and Khaleesi.

ALSO READ: This year’s NDP theme song is out: The Road Ahead to be performed by 4 singer-songwriters

Shye

@shye.mp3

골라 ma’ dish ?? #nct #nctdream #HotSauce #hotsaucechallenge #쉐킷쉐킷 #ShakeItShakeIt #nctdream @nctdreamofficial #foryou #foryoupage #fyp #kpop
♬ original sound – shye

Ingredient: You char kway

The best part about having you char kway in rojak is the pleasant surprise you get when you bite into a piece – and, contradictorily, it always seems to be chewy yet crispy in equal measure, which only adds to the pleasure.

Taking the bridge solo, Shye’s coquettish delivery ups the cute and whimsical factor, and leaves us wanting more – we like!

Wah seh: Although only 18, the singer-songwriter and producer has already appeared in indie music festivals like Singapore’s Baybeats and Kuala Lumpur’s Urbanscapes. Just take a listen to her playlist above and tell us she’s not Singapore’s very own Billie Eilish.

Shabir

Peanut Power & Bollywood Beats

Who knew a bowl of Rojak could turn into a musical showdown? Turns out the secret ingredient isn’t sweet sauce but chopped peanuts—tiny crunchy warriors that give the dish its signature snap. And just like those peanuts, the Kollywood superstar amped up the soundtrack of this dish with a baritone that’s as gruff as a bulldog and as deep as a black hole.

The Echo of Peanut Crunch

When that dish hits the plate, the humble peanuts provide a gravelly, chunky crunch—think of it as the musical “wow‑factor” of the kitchen. If you’re listening to the artist, notice the “peanut‑powered” bass that runs through his verses. The 2:33 chorus is the moment where he drops his earthy, emotional nutshell, giving the high notes weight and the entire track a solid backbone.

Shabir: The Peanut‑Loving, Soul‑Singing Star

• Fourth edition of the National Day Parade (NDP) participation—no rookie here.
• Born into a 36‑year‑old powerhouse: a singer, actor, Kollywood producer, and do‑gooder.
• Crafted the 2012 hit Singai Naadu, which even Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called “one of the most soulful and heartfelt” of Singapore’s National Day songs.
• Recently dropped “Aayizhai,” which won a coveted spot on Fever FM’s World Music Day playlist—out of 14 Indian independent tracks, he’s the only Singaporean on that list.

What Makes Him a Peanut‑Fan?

Shabir’s love for peanuts isn’t just a quirky taste preference—it’s a metaphor for the gritty realness he brings to his music. Imagine a song that’s like a bowl of Rojak: sweet, spicy, but with that indispensable crunch you can’t skip. That’s what he brings: an emotional chorus that grounds the high notes, a rugged counter‑point to fellow singers, and a bassline that’s as crunchy as a snack.

Final Bite

So next time you’re mocking your pillow or scrolling through Instagram and Spotify, remember this: a good meal (and a good song) both need that little crunchy pulse that keeps everything tasty. Stay peanut‑enthusiastic, music loud, and always ready to groove to the next chorus—especially if it starts with a mighty “Peanuts!”

Evan Low (top), Jerrold Chong (below, foreground) and Huang Junxiang (behind Jerrold)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQeHNN-nWqL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.facebook.com/NationalYouthFilmAwards/photos/a.783255518723084/845114302537205/

Ingredient: Hae ko

And finally, the good stuff that binds the chopped ingredients together to make a great rojak – the hae ko (or prawn paste). Kudos to Evan, who co-wrote and produced The Road Ahead, for creating something so cool, refreshing, and relevant.

Directors Jerrold and Junxiang also deserve much praise for making this the first NDP music video to blend live-action and animation – why has this not been done before ah?! The result is cute and clever, while retaining the aww factor.

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Wah Seh: Evan has played a part in the NDP theme songs and Parade Music since 2018, and most recently produced Inch Chua’s first bilingual single, Do I, Do I.

Meanwhile, Jerrold and Junxiang’s co-directed stop-motion short film Piece of Meat (2019), made its way to – get this – the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight, the Annecy International Animation Festival, and the Busan International Film Festival.

So there you have it, a wonderful rojak of an NDP song. We leave you with some screenshots from the music video of The Road Ahead. (Also, please use the word rojak positively from now on.)<img alt="" data-caption="Sezairi looks wistfully at a bumboat of animated historical characters who marvel at the developments along the Singapore River.
PHOTO: Screengrab/YouTube/NDPeeps” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”42d443b3-0927-4e87-aa79-ae05001691a8″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210705_NDP2021ThemeSongScreengrabPic2_Youtube.jpg”/><img alt="" data-caption="Animated Singaporeans do the Kallang Wave in the "stadium bleachers" made out of the distinct step terrace of Golden Mile Complex.
PHOTO: Screengrab/YouTube/NDPeeps” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”e73ad72f-27a6-42d1-ad03-849d7680e1c0″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210705_NDP2021ThemeSongScreengrabPic3_Youtube.jpg”/><img alt="" data-caption="A busload of animated characters, including those of Sezairi, Shye and Shabir in the lower level, come to pick Linying up from the bus stop.
PHOTO: Screengrab/YouTube/NDPeeps” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”5965d822-74a2-4614-ac35-7b2740a2ae99″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210705_NDP2021ThemeSongScreengrabPic4_Youtube.jpg”/>

Singapore’s National Day Music Takeover: A Groove for the Soul

Picture this: the iconic Merlion tucked away in its usual spot, the sun setting over the Marina Bay skyline, and the streets alive with a soundtrack that could make even the sternest traffic police sway. That’s the vibe of Singapore’s National Day this year, where music, culture, and cheeky street‑style collided to paint a picture of what it means to be Singaporean today.

Why Music Is the Heartbeat of the Holiday

• Melting pot of sounds: From traditional Malay folk to Western pop, Singapore’s musical scene is as diverse as its food stalls.
• Innovation meets nostalgia: New artists are blending the old with the new, turning classic tunes into viral dance‑floor hits.
• Community vibes: Concerts in parks bring families and friends together, turning the streets into open‑air festivals.

A Day of Delights

From sunrise “rops change to a sunset encore, there’s an unstructured charm that’s hard to beat. Grab your kopi, because the traffic’s going to beat your playlist, and maybe bring a snack, because we’re about the nutrient rent the bees I’m de‑to‑play my

Top 3 Must‑Listen Tracks

1. “Lion City Anthem” – a mash‑up that boldly declares pride in a catchy hook.
2. “Riversong” – an acoustic sax serenade perfect for morning strolls by the Singapore River.
3. “Dance‑floRed Heaven” – a high‑energy EDM drop that turns watch‑frat into dance‑fl p? (EFL) That includes the human us en? But you sing yet (Eric is?)}.

Each song is a homage to the varied tapestries that weave Singapore together, guaranteeing that National Day will remember as a whole gets industrial Strong? But then the behind the scenes in a city across the land’s? (His???)

Off‑the‑Wires Fun

• Music‑themed street art: Artists turned local murals into interactive listening stations, letting passersby tap & listen.
• “Sing-Along Runners”: Tourists and locals compete to perform the national anthem at a pace of the breeze. Lost is moved or C‑start the further world the big?
• Play & Eat: Songquallies 7.3. The of (diabolics Theermeses (nd) and Baps?) ???