Singapore celebrities offer condolences for veteran musician Siva Choy
Veteran Singaporean musician Siva Choy died on Sunday (4 Mar) in Perth, Australia.
The local musician and comedian, who is in his early 70s, is best known for writing the classic Singlish rap song “Why U So Like Dat?”
Choy reportedly suffered a massive stroke in Perth recently, where he has been living with his wife, author Ilsa Sharp, since the ’90s.
Known for bringing together music and comedy in Singapore, he wrote the 1991 hit tune “Why U So Like Dat?” performed by defunct comedy group Kopi Kat Klan.
The record, comprising songs and sketches, is considered Singapore’s first Singlish comedy album.
A pioneer in the local music scene decades before, as a teenager Choy formed the singing duo The Cyclones with his younger brother James.
They went on to become the lead vocalists for The Checkmates, the resident band for the legendary Golden Venus’ tea dance sessions. Subsequently, he performed as part of the collective 4+2+1 before joining The Quests and later on, with blues band Crossroads.
Singapore celebrities expressed their condolences over his passing away on social media. Comedian Gurmit Singh posted on his Instagram page “rest in peace, bro” and described their friendship as a “privilege”.
On Facebook, jazz musician Jeremy Monteiro said Choy “was one of the great ones here in Singapore. Rest in peace, old friend.”
