KUALA LUMPUR: Acclaimed music director and composer Aubrey Suwito has called on reality show judges to end the culture of dressing down participating artistes on live television.
Describing the judges' "skewering" of artistes at the end of their weekly contest performances as unhealthy and counter-productive in the long run, Aubrey said in a Facebook post yesterday that judges should not demand that artistes be able to sing every music genre.
"Honestly, it could hurt the development of 'affected' artistes, and the Malaysian music industry as a whole. Music genres are different, requiring different strengths, styles and talents. Would you expect a footballer to be a great tennis and hockey player too?" said Aubrey.
He added that keroncong needed a big, smooth voice and was sung with a laidback style while rock needed an edgy voice and an "attacking" style.
"Of course, some artistes can easily perform multiple genres, but is that really what we want?"
Aubrey said that it was not logical to expect artistes to master every single genre, instead one should highlight the strengths of each artiste in the contest.
"American Idol graduate Adam Lambert, for instance, sings various songs in his own style, making them his own, and not imitating the original singers."
Aubrey said that the "on-air humiliation" of artistes had to stop, and judges should criticise artistes fairly and constructively.
"In my many years in the industry, I have learnt that gentle persuasion does a whole lot more than 'tearing down' others."
Aubrey reminded all artistes in reality shows to improve as much as they could but also stay true to their musical strengths.