Who knew Nasir Jani has written (and co-written) lyrics for at least 45 songs? He didn’t, casually noting in the book that he had to google some of them.

Pak Nasir (as he is affectionally called nowadays) is best known for Kembara Seniman Jalanan (1986), a movie that combined his two passions: directing and rock music. The film almost singlehandedly busted the doors open and knocked the walls down to usher in the birth of a new and distinct rock identity and culture into the country.

In the book, he shared the importance of saying the right thing using precise words driven by worthy motivations to tell a compelling story. Seeing the lyrics that he wrote raw, as handwritten words on a page, one can easily see that they were not jumbled meaningless prose that sounds good for the lead singer to repeat. No, they had weight behind them.

Between the pages, Pak Nasir also tells the story of an old warrior once caught in the crosshairs of a politically fueled culture war. One that destroyed the nation’s entertainment industry and rock music, a smoke screen that gouged a scar that ran long and never genuinely healed till this day.

His insight into the entertainment industry and first-hand accounts in this book are invaluable in painting a picture of a once roaring flame being squashed by a regime under the guise of morality. A piece of history that still repeats itself to this day.

I was blessed to meet Pak Nasir over the weekend while he was at the Rabak-Kit book booth during PortFest 2023. There he shared more stories and his thought on the current state of the industry and generally chatted. Dressed in a loose black t-shirt and a pair of jeans, this icon, this pioneer, and this (proven) entertainment industry talent stood smiling behind the table with the other booth minders. There was no one with an umbrella to shade him, no one following behind with bottles of water to serve him, and no fanfare, unlike the politicians that came to the event.

This country is, at its best, a mere fairweather friend to its talents from any industry, from arts and entertainment to sports and literature. And Pak Nasir is one of its many living proofs.

Rebel Playlist is an easy recommendation. Although it presents itself as a backstory to the 45 song lyrics that Nasir Jani wrote, it also fills in the story of how the entertainment industry in the country got to where it is today, and as a hot bonus, the real story behind Srikandi Cintaku.

Rebel Playlist is written by Nasir Jani with forwards by Izzat Amir (publishing lead at Rabak-Lit) and Ad Samad. It is published by Rabak Literature Publication. ISBN978-629-98254-0-1.

Get your copy of Rebel Playlist or other books published by Rabak-Lit at http://www.rabaklit.com.