KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — A new artificial intelligence (AI)-generated song titled Kepak Kepuk, which incorporates elements of traditional Malay music, is gaining attention among local Facebook users.

A short preview of the song shared on the Facebook group Prompters Malaya has racked up over 12,000 views within 24 hours, with the post receiving numerous praises in the comments section.

The song is accompanied by an AI-generated video over a minute long, featuring a group of singers dressed in traditional Malay attire and playing musical instruments, complete with tanjak headgear.

Several Facebook users were impressed, with some saying the song reminded them of legendary singer Datuk M. Nasir, while others compared it to Datuk Siti Nurhaliza’s recent hit Kumbang Bunga.

“This sounds like the number one song on the Era chart,” wrote user Asrul Torol Nyaleh.

“This song is so good, it can be played at social gatherings,” commented user Nazmie Nazreen.

The song was created by local entrepreneur Farid Zulkepli, who is also the vice-president of the social enterprise Creative & Cultural Strategic Development Organisation (Cresdo).

Farid said in a statement that the song’s melodies and vocals were generated using music-creation platform Suno AI, which allows users to compose original songs from text prompts, while he wrote the song structure and lyrics himself.

He explained that the lyrics were inspired by vocal percussions that mimic the rhythms of traditional musical instruments such as the kompang, rebana (tambourine), marwas (hand drum) and gendang (drum) — typically played at social gatherings or traditional performances.

“AI only assists with the sound and technical aspects of the song. The lyrics were created by me, inspired by Allah SWT and my human instincts.

“The tradition, emotion and soul of Malay songs can’t be fully created by machines. Arts and culture don’t die when they evolve — they die when we stop creating.

“If in the past we had the kompang and the flute, perhaps today it’s AI and digital technology,” Farid said.

He added that his vision of uplifting local artistic heritage through AI aligns with Unesco’s Framework for Culture and Arts Education Implementation Guidance, which promotes balancing creativity and technology with human values.

Farid and Cresdo also hope to share their vision of cultural heritage and technology at their upcoming cultural-tech expo, BudayaVerse 2025, which will be held at Anjung Floria Hall in Putrajaya from December 27 to 28.

Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), the expo will feature various activities, including an AI design competition, technology and cultural showcases, and discussion panels on AI and the arts.

For more information on BudayaVerse 2025, visit www.budayaverse.com.