Featured in National Day Rally 2009, Shaping Singapore Together 

                                                         source: http://www.youtube.com/user/pmosingapore 

Featured in http://blogs.straitstimes.com

                                       Orchard Pedestrian Mall, buskers from Rhythm de Pasion, source: URA

Other goals are convenient public transport, and clean public spaces for Singaporeans to enjoy parks, gardens, reservoirs and canals.

Orchard Central and buskers on the strip are also singled out as examples of how our city centre is becoming more vibrant.

 Interviewed by The Straits Times dated Feb 26th (Life section)

Busking for fame

February 25, 2009 Wednesday, The Straits Times
Breaking into the music industry and getting gigs can be tough on new bands. But these days, some are turning to busking to showcase their talent.

Take percussion group Rhythm De Pasion, an 11-member group with members aged 18 to 24. Formed in July 2007, the group started busking in January last year. Through their street performances, they have been hired by band managers and event organisers for corporate and private gigs.

These experiences have boosted their confidence so much that they are recording their first EP later this year.
Band leader Husain Mohamed Arip, 20, a sports management student at Republic Polytechnic, says: 'We don't busk for money, since we never get very much anyway. But we do it because it's great to see people enjoying our music. It spurs us on.'

In fact, the group will be busking more often this year because the recession has meant fewer gigs.
He says: 'We had about one gig per month last year, but nothing so far this year. We plan to busk more to promote the band.'

                                                                  source: http://www.youtube.com/user/MalayTVSingapore

Interviewed by Radio Singapore International, Fadhilla Kamarul )

Street Entertainment

Currently, I am here with Rhythm De Pasión. Who are they? Want to find out more? Join me, Fadhilla Kamarul, in this week’s section of  “Report Kad”.

Busking or street entertainment. That was what the group Rhythm De Pasión has been known for. They are an eleven-man group from Republic Polytechnic. Due to their enthusiasm and with their eye catching performance, they never fail to stop passer-bys on Orchard Road to catch them performing.

What used to be a norm was, those who busk or entertain others on the streets are those who did it to earn money and for them, this was the way of life. However, these days, more and more groups such as Rhythm De Pasión have started to do the same but they did it not for the money, but for their passion to entertain.

According to Sazali Othman, a lecturer in Republic Polytechnic, this is something that is encouraged. He feels that with more people getting involved in busking, it will show an interest in the performing Arts scene in Singapore which was a thing that the government had been trying to encourage.

With the same viewpoint, Mohd Zuraimi Musa, a first year student in National University of Singapore feels that by getting involved in busking, it is an opportunity for the entertainers to express themselves. To add on, he feels that in getting involved in busking; it can also improve one’s self confidence.

The busking scene in Singapore isn’t something new. Currently an increasing number of teenagers have been involving themselves in street performance as this can also be a platform for them to express themselves. For sure this is something that could nurture, blossom and could create a creative and enthusiastic community which is normally found in big cities such as London and New York.