FOR singer-songwriter Sasidharan Chandran a.k.a. Sasi The Don, welcoming his child into this world seven years ago is a blessing he is eternally grateful for.
"My daughter, Shanaiya Lakshmi, changed me. She is my third eye. She sees things beyond what I see.
"I am learning to see things her way. It helps us bond. I love being with her, interacting with her, especially the things we speak about and the ideas we work on.
"Although she is only 7, I am learning a lot from her. She gives me many insights into the 'in things', the music and dance fads that are current," says the 42-year-old artiste.
Sasi, who launched his music career in 2001 with his debut album Manitha Piravi, has already carved a niche for himself in music, having collaborated with big names like Amy of Search, Anita Sarawak, Zainal Abidin, Amy Mastura, Ning Baizura, Namewee, Jaclyn Victor, Rabbit Mac. Apache Indian, Dr Alban and Maxi Priest.
The singer, who sings in Tamil, English and Malay, is also an award-winning artiste.
He is known to many as the Reggae Ambassador of Asia. Sasi The Don was the first reggae artiste from Asia to be given that title by Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide, an international NGO for reggae music back in 2002.
A two-year hiatus after his last album ABCD, Sasi is back with his latest single, Daddy Don.
"This is a tribute from my daughter and I to fathers all over the world. She is one of the reasons I came up with this song. Understanding my daughter, my nephews, nieces — children from different walks of life — has given me a different perspective," says the artiste.
Sasi is also an engineering graduate from Universiti Malaya who "dabbles with advertising" and is the founder of a content marketing agency called Creative Lions Asia.
Daddy Don hits the airwaves just in time for Father's Day on Sunday.
The single is rich in Sasi's trademark reggae style which has evolved over the last 20 years. It is a culmination of his extensive work with international reggae artistes.
Daddy Don, says Sasi, is the perfect marriage between Jamaica and Asia.
Paying homage to this fusion of cultures, the song also features Ibkinx and Gayathri Vadivel on vocals and was produced by Sasi in collaboration with D'Navigator.
Sasi says this is his "most honest and unabashed work thus far".
In being wholly-influenced by his daughter, he says her input has shaped everything in it, from the sentiment to the tune.
The music video is akin to a love letter from father to child.
"It is a lot about me being a dad and the journey. This is me praising all dads who are our unsung heroes," he explains.
Sasi adds: "It took some time for this song to take shape because I was not sure I was heading in the right direction. In fact, I rewrote the lyrics five times. But the chorus is something that's catchy and will appeal to children."
The title Daddy Don speaks volumes and Sasi acknowledges the dynamism of the words "father", "daddy" and "don".
The connotations evoked by the word "don", which also refers to a mafia boss, is used in a positive context in the song.
Sasi explains: "The word is powerful and depicts a leader. This is a father who's got it under control. He is not easily broken or shaken. A daddy can be weak but he can become a 'don' through this journey of fatherhood. Daddy Don doesn't wait for people to knock on his door. He goes out and makes things happen. He's the catalyst of the family."
Daddy Don, continues Sasi, is a message to everyone who plays the role of the father, including stepfathers, single mothers and uncles.
"It's a privilege to be a daddy. You don't wake up in the morning and say, 'I want to be a daddy'. It's something that comes to you.
"This is not a Father's Day anthem. I believe every day is Father's Day, just like every day is also Mother's Day."
"I'm prouder being a dad than being Sasi the Don, the artiste. It grounds me.
"It means nurturing and being in the moment with someone who is dependent on you."
Sasi's advice for struggling fathers is: "Always create memories with your children. Go the extra mile, do something extraordinary with them. But do all these within your means, of course. Do your best and be your best."
The song is released and distributed by Sony Music Malaysia.
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