At 33 years old, Benjamin Kheng is one of the youngest musicians to have composed a song for Singapore’s National Day Parade (NDP). Written and produced by Kheng alongside his longtime collaborator Evan Low, the song pays homage to past hits like “Where I Belong” by Tanya Chua.
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This year’s NDP theme is “Together, As One United People”. It highlights the collective strength of Singaporeans, and underlines the importance of every citizen rallying together to shape Singapore’s future and uplift those around them. The theme also reflects the spirit of inclusivity, community and trust that has contributed to the nation’s success.
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Kheng aptly captures this in “Not Alone”, celebrates the spirit of the nation, evoking nostalgia and the rekindling of patriotic sentiments. It starts off melancholic, addressing the nation's collective struggles, but builds into an uplifting second half that rallies a sense of unity in all its glorious forms.
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The music video, co-directed by Koo Chia Meng, Brian Gothong Tan and Davier Yoon, features Kheng alongside the Music and Drama Company (MDC) ensemble. It incorporates two visual styles—the first being a minimalist and introspective world, while the second features vignettes of Singapore, both past and present, representing the evolving social memories of Singapore. The styles are woven together by strips of multi-coloured cloth in the video—a metaphor for the social fabric of Singapore’s multiculturalism and the Singapore River.
National Day Parade 2024 will be held at The Padang on Friday, 9 August 2024. Visit their website for more information.