KUALA LUMPUR: If there is the perfect boy-next-door award, then Indian Rap superstar HipHop Tamizha Adhi will win it hands down. And how he vowed the delirious over 20,000 fans that jammed KL Base Sungei Besi on a hot and humid Saturday night, was just amazing.
In a power-packed and jam-pumping concert held at the Sungei Besi venue, it is no surprise why Adhi is so popular with the young fans all over the world.
A star performer he is with his super famous songs, but what sets this young rapper from all the superstar musicians is that he has always managed to stay humble, always friendly with his fans and keeps that ever-so down to earth persona. And on top of that always giving very good advice to his mainly young fans.
And that is Adhi, he is just that boy in the neighbourhood that everyone loves, and that includes the guys, the girls and their parents too.
His very first words at the concert sent the jam-packed crowd into a frenzy: "First and foremost, I'm not a superstar. I'm just a normal guy who has been blessed with many, many friends who helped me to be where I'm today.
"And most importantly, I'm so blessed that so many of you are here to see. They told me it's a sold-out show. Thank you guys. I'm not only thanking you as my fans, but as my FRIENDS. And to go further, I also want to thank you for giving this big brother here a visit today. I love you all."
On top of that, the advice he gave his fans was very just excellent.
"My dear young 'nambas' (friends in Tamil) do good always. Help each other always and you will have others helping you all the time. Do your famly and friends proud - work hard and be honest and the success will come. I promise you - the success will come," he said.
"Don't make those small mistakes like that dreaded drugs and other bad stuff that can lead to to the path of destruction. If it comes to that cross road, think about your family and friends. Think about your parents. How they will suffer if you do not do well. So my friends, believe in god and all those close to you. Choose the right path and find that success.
"I did it. This lower middle-class boy has achieved something. You guys can do even better."
Adhi basically had just everyone one in the venue including even the older generation rooting for him then and there.
And then the performance. What a show. Three hours and 45 minutes of pure rock and hard stomping that had fans rooting for the performers from the word go. And this comes after a energy-pumping show in London recently which was also attended by around 20,000 fans.
One fan, Jayan who hailed from Penang was almost in tears after the show.
"Everything I hoped for in this concert, HipHop delivered. What a guy that man is. And so many things that he said just hit me the right way. He is great man. My only wish is that every other so called superstars musicians are just as nice as him," said the 21-year-old fan.
Adhi also got the cheers when he told fans stop the cyber bullying and physical bullying as it is now the biggest problem the world is facing.
"Bullying is the worst thing that a person can do," and the fans just went crazy with loud cheers after he said that.
"Please stop this thing. I heard in Malaysia someone died because of cyber bullying. That is very sad and I cannot understand how those responsible can be happy with such an incident. Bullying is wrong and I pray all my brothers and sisters are not involved in such things." and that advice was greeted by a thunderous applause and standing ovation from the fans.
After the show, a young fan Divendran N who attended the show with his close friends P. Yogesan, Mohd Shahid and Ishwaar Suraj said this was the best ever concert he had attended so far.
The college friends said Adhi was par excellence and the performances were all A-plus.
"The wow factor started at 8pm and then went all the way to 12am. First class, superb and I'm running out praise for HipHop. We are not ever going to forget this night," said the four teenagers.
A group of girls who came with their friends and families were just as estatic with Adhi's performances and his advices.
College friends Divyadharrshini, Reshveena, Niveythaa and Sulochana said it was a night they truly enjoyed themselves and said Adhi's words and advises were very inspiring.
"Everything he said was what many youngsters go though these days. And it was just humbling and very inspiring when he give such advises," the group said.
There were some who just stayed outside the venue just to listen to the music and catch a glimpse of him.
"We got scammed," said a group of young men and women. "Such things just keep happening in Malaysia. I did not see much of the performances but the music was good. We heard all that he said. It was just sound advises that we all should follow,'' said the fans.
This writer has always found Adhi the musician, performer, actor, director and now producer, something special. Even in all his movies, it was always filled with sound advice and inspiring words for youngsters.
That is what sets him apart from the many others superstars that are always spewing 'mass massala' phrases.
And true to his words and advises, Adhi has always been very humble and never shying away from his background in Coimbatore, the town where he grew up.
I also had a chance to have a fleeting moment with Adhi after the concert on Saturday night.
"Hi bro, (me) from the media. Fantastic show man and wonderful words/advises. Always keep it up and more good shows, ya" I said.
And just like the boy-next-door we all know; Adhi said: "Thank you, for the kind words sir. I feel blessed. I do hope you find some positive and good words to write about the show."
Just like that, there goes the humble but very much the Tamil hiphop star of our generation.
