KRU

KRU
OriginKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
GenresPop, R&B, hip hop
Years active
  • 1992–2018
  • 2024–present
LabelsEMI, KRU Studios
Past membersNorman Abdul Halim
Yusry Abdul Halim
Edry Abdul Halim
Websitewww.krustudios.com

KRU are a Malaysian pop boy band formed in 1992. The group comprises three Abdul Halim brothers, namely Datuk[1] Norman Abdul Halim, Datuk Yusry Abdul Halim and Edry Abdul Halim'. Apart from revolutionising[peacock prose] the Malaysian music scene with their blend of pop, R&B and hip hop, Dato' Norman Abdul Halim heads a successful business empire, KRU Studios, with Dato' Yusry Abdul Halim specialising in film, media content and live events, whilst Edry Abdul Halim is a successful composer/producer.

On 18 April 2018, the group announced that they would disband after 25 years being together after their last concert, Konsert Gergasi KRU 25, held from 4 to 6 May.[2] In addition to the band, the KRU group of companies include the vocational college KRU Academy, KRU Music, KRU Media, KRU Entertainment, KRU Singapore, Prodigi Lab, Hot Jam Cafe, Showbiz Productions, Kartun Studios, Music Unlimited, and United Studios.[3]

In 2024, the group reformed after 6 years of hiatus and will released a new album, titled Kaset.[4]

Early history

Their interest in musicmaking was sparked when they were very young, when one of their aunts bought Norman a keyboard which also attracted his other brothers. They spent their teenage years in London where they were exposed to various genres of music, in contrast to the Malay music scene at that time which was dominated by classic rock and ballads.

They continued to write original songs and were unaware that one of Norman's college friends sent a demo to EMI. Calvin Wong, International Label Manager and now[when?] vice-president at Warner Music Asia Pacific, was very impressed by the song and called the brothers to audition. KRU was formed on 19 May 1992. KRU (addressed by the initials K.R.U and not "kru") stands for Kumpulan Rap Utama or "Major Rap Group", but it is also the Malay word for "crew", borrowed from English.[5]

Projects

In 1993, KRU started their ReKRUed Rap Tour,[6] followed by the Awas Da' Concert tour two years later. In 1997, they released the album Viva Selangor as a tribute to Selangor F.C. and Everest for Everest project[clarification needed][citation needed] and commenced their KRU Mega Tour, sponsored by Peter Stuyvesant. The following year, their song "Never Let The Spirit Die" was used as the theme song for the 16th Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur;[7] they also collaborated with Sharifah Aini, Zainal Abidin, Amy Search, Ning Baizura, Ella and Sheila Majid to create the soundtrack for Silat Lagenda.[8] In 1999, the song "Fiesta" was made the official theme of the Tour De Langkawi[9] and the group started their Jammin the Nation tour.

In 2000, they formed a virtual band named Tyco, whose members consisted of computer-generated alternate versions of themselves.[10] On 26 October 2002, they kicked off their fifth major tour at Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur.[11] In 2005, Artis Bersatu—made up of Anita Sarawak, Raihan, Ning Baizura, Misha Omar, and Erra Fazira—performed KRU's song "Suluhkan Sinar" in dedication to the victims of the 2004 tsunami.[12]

In 2011, "Gemuruh Suara" was used for the Malaysian contingent participating in the 26th Southeast Asian Games[citation needed] and KRU re-produced "Di Manakan Ku Cari Ganti" by P. Ramlee as part of the Tribute to P. Ramlee Project.[13] The Konsert Ulang Tahun Ke-20 started in 2012.[14] "Kuasa Juara" was used at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games for the Malaysian contingent.[citation needed] KRU toured Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from 2016 to 2018 for Konsert 24 Tahun Gergasi, after which they disbanded.[2]

They also diversified their ventures into producing large-scale and high budgeted films such as the Cicak Man series, Duyung, Magika and Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa.

Songs KRU has composed have been performed by a number of artists: Cyndi Wang,[15] Az Yet and Jaclyn Victor, Caliph Buskers,[citation needed] Yuki[16] Sharifah Aini, Anita Sarawak, Ezlynn,[citation needed] Alex To,[17] Erra Fazira, Ella, Tiara Jacquelina, The Indigo, Anuar Zain, Zainal Abidin, Amy Mastura, Ning Baizura, Rabbani, Feminin, Imam Muda, Shahir, Elite, Adam AF2, Forteen, Adira, Mawi and Diana Danielle, Mawi and Akhil Hayy, Tomok, Syura, Sofaz, Indah and Ewal, Melly Goeslaw and Yusry, Slam, and Arip.

After 6 years of disband back to November 2024 KRU is 'Back to Action' with their latest song Voodoo

Discography

Studio albums

  • Canggih - 1st Album (1992)
  • reKRUed - 2nd Album (1993)
  • Awas - First Mini Album (1994)
  • Beware: Awas da Soundtrack - Soundtrack Album (1995)
  • Ooh! La! La! - 5th Album (1996)
  • Krumania - First Compilation (1997)
  • The Way We Jam – First Full English album (1998)
  • Formula Luar Biasa 8th Album (1999)
  • Tyco - First Animated Album (2000)
  • Krujaan - 10th Album (2001)
  • Empayar Krujaan V 2.0-Repackaged Album (2002)
  • Yusry - First Solo Album (2003)
  • Relax - Ballads Compilation (2004)
  • KRUnisme (2005)
  • 10 Di Skala Richter (2006)
  • Krunomena - All Full Malay Songs Album (2013)
  • Gergasi - Final Compilation & Final Album (2018)

Compilation albums

  • Krumania (1997)
  • Relax (2004)
  • Gergasi (2018)

Solo albums

  • Yusry (2003) - performed by Yusry Abdul Halim

Honors and awards

Year Award/honor Awarding body Notes Ref.
1994 Most Popular TV Entertainer (Male) Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian
1995 Best Engineered Album Anugerah Industri Muzik Album: Awas
Best Pop Album
Most Popular Group Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian
1996 Best Group Vocal Performance in an Album Anugerah Industri Muzik Album: Awas da' Soundtrack
Most Popular Group Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian
EMI Achievement Award EMI Earning 10× platinum for sales exceeding 1 million
1997 Best Engineered Album Anugerah Industri Muzik Album: Ooh! La! La!, engineered by Edry Abdul Halim, Izan, Jon Gass, Martin Horenburg, and Steve Hall
Album of the Year
Best Music Video Anugerah Video M
Best Performance by an Artiste
Best Editing
Best Photography
Best Art Direction
Best Direction
First Artist To Duet With a Departed The Malaysia Book of Records "'Getaran Jiwa" with the late P. Ramlee
First Malaysian video clip nominated for the MTV Video Music Award "Fanatik"
1998 Best Music Video Anugerah Industri Muzik "Fanatik", directed by Saw Teong Hin
Most Popular Group Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian
1999 Best Music Video Anugerah Industri Muzik "The Way We Jam", directed by KRU
Best Engineered Album "The Way We Jam", engineered by Edry Abdul Halim
Anugerah Kembara Special jury's award to recognise local acts who have made an impact regionally or internationally
Most Popular Group Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian
2000 Most Popular Video Clip NTV7 "Jangan Lafazkan", chosen by the public through polls
Best Asian Group Anugerah Planet Muzik
2001 Most Popular English Song Music Authors' Copyright Protection Bhd "The Way We Jam"
First Virtual Artiste The Malaysia Book of Records KRU created Tyco, their virtual alter egos with 3D characters named Tylo, Yiko and Psylo.
2002 Best Nasyid Album Anugerah Industri Muzik "Intifada", produced by KRU. Artiste: Rabbani
Best Music Video (Silver) Malaysian Video Awards "Impak Maksima"
2003 Best Music Video Anugerah Industri Muzik "Impak Maksima", directed by Virginia Kennedy
Best Nasyid Album Qiblat - Rabbani; produced by Edry, Archie & Ustaz Sohibul
Pop Rock category Anugerah Juara Lagu Hi Hi Bye Bye
2004 Most Popular Singer – Male (Yusry) Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian
2005 Choice Music Video Anugerah ERA "Terhangat di Pasaran"
Choice Vocals – Duo or Group
2008 Anugerah Planet Muzik [18]
2009 Best Film Malaysia Film Festival Magika [19]
2011 Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa [20]
2012 Ultimate Shout! Award Shout! Awards [21]
Grand Master Brand Icon Leadership Award BrandLaureate Norman Abdul Halim
Character Award Profima
2013 Music Video Award Shout! Awards "Semalam Tanpamu" with Stacy [22]
2014 Highest Earning Composer Award Music Authors' Copyright Protection Bhd Edry Abd Halim [23]
Best Family Film Niagara Integrated Film Festival Ribbit; Edry composed the soundtrack [24]
2015 Highest Earning Composer Award Music Authors' Copyright Protection Bhd Edry Abd Halim [25]
Trophy - Sport Innovation International Olympic Committee "Kuasa Juara" [26]
Best Animation Film Malaysia Film Festival Ribbit (KRU Studios) [27]

References

  1. ^ Atak, Feride Hikmet (7 February 2016). "Gelaran 'Datuk', Norman (KRU) Mahu Tingkatkan Industri Kreatif Di Pahang". mStar Online (in Malay). Star Media Group Berhad. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b Othman, Kemalia (18 April 2018). "Tiga beradik akhirnya bubar KRU selepas 25 tahun ditubuhkan". mStar Online (in Malay). Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  3. ^ "KRU Group of Companies". Krustudios.com.
  4. ^ "#SHOWBIZ: KRU returns with 'Kaset'". NST Entertainment. New Straits Times. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Faces Magazine Entertainment Portal". www.faces.com.my. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007.
  6. ^ Rozi Razak (13 March 1999). "KRU teruskan konsert". Utusan Online (in Malay). Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad. Archived from the original on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  7. ^ Rosli Manah (15 August 1998). "Forever As One rasmi lagu tema". Utusan Online (in Malay). Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Album Silat Lagenda pelbagai variasi". Utusan Online (in Malay). Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad. 9 June 1998. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Sumbangan KRU kepada negara". Utusan Online (in Malay). Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad. 18 January 1999. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  10. ^ "TYCO bukti KRU masih berbisa". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 21 January 2001. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  11. ^ "KRU Music Facebook". Facebook.com. 6 December 2015. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  12. ^ Chuah, Gerald (1 July 2005). "A song for tsunami victims". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  13. ^ "Di Mana Kan Kucari Ganti music video". YouTube. 13 October 2010. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Konsert Ulangtahun ke 20 KRU". YouTube. 10 June 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  15. ^ "王心凌-Hi Hi Bye Bye (Full HD)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019.
  16. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  17. ^ "妳有罪的心". Kkbox.com.
  18. ^ Budiey Isma (21 April 2008). "Senarai Penuh Pemenang Anugerah Planet Muzik 2008". Budiey.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  19. ^ Abd. Aziz Itar (25 October 2010). "Magika Filem Terbaik FFM23". Utusan Online (in Malay). Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  20. ^ "Keputusan Penuh Pemenang Festival Filem Malaysia Ke 24 (FFM 24) Putrajaya". Rotikaya.com. 20 November 2011.
  21. ^ "Ultimate! Shout Award Milik KRU | Tempatan | Berita | Murai". Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  22. ^ Budiey Isma (10 November 2013). "Senarai Pemenang Anugerah Shout! Awards 2013". Budiey.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  23. ^ "Edry KRU komposer dengan pendapatan terbanyak tewaskan M Nasir". Agenda Daily (in Malay). 24 November 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  24. ^ "Filem Ribbit Menang Anugerah di Niagara Integrated Film Festival 2014". Budiey.com. 23 June 2014.
  25. ^ Budiey Isma (23 November 2015). "Edry KRU Dapat Anugerah Komposer Pendapatan Terbanyak MACP 2015". Budiey.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  26. ^ "KRU Terima Anugerah 2015 IOC Trophy "Sport Innovation"". KRUniverse.my (in Malay). 18 December 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.[permanent dead link]
  27. ^ "FFM 27: Ribbit Dipilih Filem Animasi Cereka Terbaik - Berita Hiburan". mStar Online (in Malay). Star Media Group Berhad. 2 September 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2016.