If you were imagining that the Maldives could be just like the Moana cartoon, you’re absolutely mistaken. The Maldives is not a derivative of those cultures and has not maintained it either. Many isolated regions, despite their urban development, lives in an island-ic tropical community like they have been in centuries ago, but with cell phones and WiFi. Yes, the Maldives loves their culture, but they are very ambitious. They are so driven to succeed that the western influence is big in the culture, just to be accepted internationally. This can be seen in many artists especially musicians.
While diversity is fully supported, many Maldivian singers prefer losing their cultural roots when composing music. The most popular jams having the annoying autotune and mastered sonics, the authentic folk and drum beats began slowly fading away. The Maldives had also adapted the Indian music scene to cater the large Bollywood fanbase in the community.
It was not until the younger generation began appreciating the cultural music traits they possessed. Instead of fully indulging in the drums, they had inhabited it in a new pop-alternative version. Most of if inspired by the Dhoni album of Zero Degree Atoll, singles like “FariParee” by Fasy ft Mushy and “Heywalla” by Unoosha produced a new platform for local artists. After the Boduberu Challenge and the success of its OG Champions, Harubee, the Boduberu platform is now the biggest and one of the highest paid genres of music in the Maldives. Now up and rising trap scene is kicking in the island nation with Symbolic Records dominating the younger generations with their Dhivehi spits. A must listen rap single is “Oyaa” by Pest, a soulful and raw rendition that will touch your soul.
Maldivian Music can be found all over streaming services online. It is not difficult to miss as you should get used to seeing random youth playing their acoustics by the shore, live aspiring artists at Cafés and just endless drumming at resort dines. Indeed Music is embedded in the Maldivian culture and is as diverse as their demographic.
