04/07/2026 10:30 AM

Musical Mashup Of 'America The Beautiful', 'Tanah Pusaka' Strengthens Malaysia-US Ties

By Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- A unique musical collaboration combining the United States' patriotic song America the Beautiful and Malaysia's Tanah Pusaka reflects how music can serve as a modern diplomatic tool to strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The United States (US) Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is using music to reach Malaysians beyond traditional diplomatic circles, including audiences in the Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, its Counsellor for Public Diplomacy, Morgan O’Brien, explained.

He said cultural diplomacy today must move beyond “stuffy diplomats” and formal settings and instead connect directly with people through more relatable platforms and media.

“Our audiences aren’t just stuffy diplomats anymore. It’s about getting to the people, it’s about getting to people here in the peninsula, it’s about getting to people in Borneo,” he said during an interview on Bernama TV programme, Bernama World.

O’Brien said the embassy’s special musical collaboration, which combines America the Beautiful and Tanah Pusaka, was part of efforts to break away from the traditional norms that have defined diplomacy for centuries.

“This is a way for us to break out of the traditional norms that have defined diplomacy for centuries and figure out how to modernise a way to connect on a people-to-people level,” he said.

The project was produced in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence, which falls on July 4, and brought together American and Malaysian musicians in a unique patriotic arrangement.

O’Brien said music was chosen as the core medium because it allowed both countries to connect in a more human and unexpected way.

“When you typically think of diplomacy, you don’t necessarily think of music. But this is a fantastic way to connect with the Malaysian people in ways that they’re not expecting,” he said.

He said the collaboration helped bring American and Malaysian cultures together and build ties that could advance the relationship in ways that benefit both countries.

O’Brien added that technology and social media had made it possible for cultural diplomacy to reach wider audiences at scale, compared with the traditional image of diplomacy taking place behind closed doors.

“We’re using technology at scale to reach millions of people, whereas traditional diplomacy would be in the smoke-filled back rooms,” he said.

He said the collaboration also reflected the strong people-to-people ties between Malaysia and the US, including through education, cultural exchanges and alumni networks.

O’Brien cited Malaysian artists and professionals who had studied in the US and later returned to contribute to Malaysia’s creative, business and public sectors as examples of the mutual benefits of such exchanges.

“We take a lot of pride in talent-spotting Malaysians and then working with them. It’s a two-way street,” he said.

He said Malaysian talents who spent their formative years in the US often returned with new perspectives, while Americans also benefited from exposure to Malaysia through these exchanges.

O’Brien also described music as a universal language that could serve as a lasting bridge between both cultures.

Meanwhile, acclaimed Malaysian composer and music producer Helen Yap said the idea of merging America the Beautiful and Tanah Pusaka was initially challenging because both songs carry strong patriotic meaning.

“When I first heard ‘mashup’, I said, Wow, interesting. This is going to be a curveball for me and something out of my comfort zone.”

Yap said she eventually chose Tanah Pusaka because it was a strong match for America the Beautiful, adding that careful research was needed to ensure the two songs blended seamlessly.

She said the main aim of the arrangement was to evoke a sense of patriotism among listeners in both countries.

“The most important thing is that when listeners hear it, they feel patriotic. They love their country. It has to make you feel emotional,” she said.

Yap, who studied at Berklee College of Music in the US, said her experience there helped shape her understanding of jazz, musical arrangement and music production.

She said Malaysians who studied music abroad had helped bring new knowledge back to the local industry, including expertose in chord progressions, music theory and musical arrangement.

“When we came back, we changed the music industry here. We brought back our knowledge,” she said.

She said the musical collaboration between Malaysia and the US showed how music could continue to foster friendship between nations.

The video can be viewed on the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=883522464254289.

-- BERNAMA

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