Though the newcomers who added flavour to the talent search programme got booted out, Gang Starz still sizzles with the remaining acts, writes DENNIS CHUA.

Paragon Child.

THE second season of Asean talent search Gang Starz has been made more exciting with participation from the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore.

For the first time, all five original member countries of the regional grouping have their representatives in Gang Starz, a production of TV3 which kicked off last year and saw Indonesia’s The Lima emerging champions.

Original participating countries Indonesia and Malaysia fielded three teams each, while newcomers the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand fielded two each.

Both Singapore’s representatives, Faith and Brown Tone, bowed out early, in the third and fifth elimination concerts respectively, despite their praiseworthy performances.
Thailand lost its less-than-commendable boy band PZG in the second concert and Step which was “colourful without solid vocals” in the seventh.

Host Malaysia lost one of its teams, the Johor Baru-based South Trio which was shown the door in the sixth concert.

While this group showed initial promise, it failed to display the consistency required by contest critics Ajai of Malaysia and Sheikh Haikel of Singapore.

Of the seven remaining groups, only the Indonesian representatives D’Reborn and D’Raz, the Philippines’ versatile “divos” Paragon Child and four-member Malaysian hip-hoppers, One Nation Emcees, appear to be serious contenders for the grand prize of RM100,000 and a recording contract.

However, in the last concert on July 13, all of these groups performed poorly. Ajai and Sheikh Haikel both lamented that they were “all in danger of being shown the door tonight”.

Fortunately, no eliminations took place that evening, as in the fourth concert.

The Philippines’ all-girl R&B trio 3.5 is fast improving, both image and vocal-wise, but for the first few concerts it failed to move beyond its “lounge singers” mould where strong vocals are held back by poor showmanship.

Malaysian all-girl quintet Akasia faced a similar problem but has since improved a little and, together with 3.5, is set to stay in the race a little longer than expected.

Indonesia’s only all-girl group 3 Voices, comprising twins Bianca Nelwan and Athina Nelwan, both 19 and Shinta Haryono, 20, showed initial promise but the quality of their performances is on the decline.

The youngest of the contenders, this cutesy group’s members have displayed good teamwork most of the time despite Shinta’s less-than-satisfactory vocals. Bianca, the youngest and most admired member, is also a talented keyboardist.

Both Malaysia and the Philippines have a good chance of dethroning reigning champion Indonesia this season as they have credible representatives in One Nation Emcees and Paragon Child, respectively.

One Nation Emcees, comprising Kedahan beauty Shamimi Amalina Norhisham, 21 and Sabahans Fareezan Murtaza (Kozae), 25, Norzaidi Edris (Zydee), 26 and Hasan Baias (Jojoe), 32, never disappointed Sheikh Haikel before July 13.

Most of the group’s performances earned the judge’s remark “One Nation Emcees, I love you!”

Shamimi, Kozae, Zydee and Jojoe often give energetic and entertaining performances which are well co-ordinated with stylish dance moves. Fans even remark that they could grow into Malaysia’s very own Black Eyed Peas if they keep it up and win.

Ajai has often commended the four for their creativity and seriousness in winning the competition and was very impressed when the group gave its very own hip-hop interpretation to folk songs Sayang Kinabalu and Dikir Puteri.

Paragon Child, which comprises dashing Rainner Melgarejo, 24, Jerwin Nicomedezi, 18 and Julius Lacunda, 20, has been praised for taking the competition seriously and giving fans great vocals and superb dance moves.

It easily won the hearts of Malaysians by mastering Bahasa Malaysia songs and singing them well, most notably Anuar Zain’s Lelaki Ini.

However, both Ajai and Sheikh Haikel have ticked the trio’s members off for occasionally “trying to outdo each other” when singing.

Ajai once told the trio that they were flawless when singing in harmony but needed to “define their respective roles” when singing as individuals.

D’Raz and D’Reborn have by far been the most colourful and sociable, besides winning the judges’ praise for their consistency, team-work and vocal harmonies.

Sheikh Haikel told four-member D’Reborn from Maluku comprising siblings Christy Marcelona, 23, and Raymond Loke, 22, and their close pals Alex Nubatonis, 23, and Daniel Tomodok, 28, that he was “finding it hard to detect their flaws”.

D’Reborn, which excels in R&B songs, is seen as One Nation Emcees’ closest competitor, owing to its gender composition and good chemistry amongst its members.

D’Raz, comprising Jakarta-born Ayu Purnamasari, 27, Zul Chattab, 25, and Rio Sokhifao, 24, not only steals the show in its weekly performances but also excels in the occasional sideshow Cabaran Gang Starz (Gang Starz Challenge).

Ayu, Zul and Rio won two of the sideshow’s challenges of composing and writing jingles for sponsor Hotlink and official radio station Hot FM.

The talented trio which has been as praiseworthy as D’Reborn is seen by fans as the “new The Lima”, albeit one with a female “captain”.

The 13-programme Gang Starz 2 began on May 11. The process for determining the winners remains the same as last year — 50 per cent based on the judges’ marks and the remaining half based on Malaysian viewers’ Short Messaging Service (SMS) votes.

It is hosted by award-winning rocker, Faizal Tahir, of One In A Million fame and award-winning television and radio personality, Fara Fauzana Mohd Fadzil.

The show is divided into four slots namely, the Gang Starz Concert at 9pm on Sundays, Aksi Gang Starz at 5.30pm on Sundays, Blog Gang Starz at 7.28pm Mondays to Fridays and Teropong Gang Starz at 8.30am Mondays to Fridays.

The contestants’ team of advisers comprises composer and lyricist Azhar Abu Bakar or Azmeer, singer Damien Seet of V. E. and choreographer Sazlan Mat Adnan.

Azmeer and Damien coach the contestants in their vocals and performances while Sazlan takes care of their choreography.