THERE was an Indian-based hip hop album launch last Tuesday at the Mid Valley Megamall.

It's shocking to see how much of this hip hop culture has seeped into the Malaysian lifestyle.

Children from primary schools are being dragged into embracing this culture.

Apart from their clothing, they have also adopted the hip hop way of walking and talking.

It is not wrong, but the question remains as to how well they can strike a balance between the hip hop culture and the Malaysian culture as we do not want our identity to be lost forever.

I think that parents will have to play a major role in educating their children on our Eastern lifestyle as the media has begun to play a major role in influencing one's life.

Let's all teach our children to appreciate Malaysia as it is and to honour our very own culture because if we don't, we would have failed as Malaysian citizens.

THILAGA SUPARMANIAM
CONSUMER RESEARCH AND RESOURCE CENTRE

Source: NST, 28/8/2009