M. Daud Kilau, Malaysia's King of Gelek from Bagan Datuk
Who doesn't know Malaysia's number one King of Gelek? Mention the name M. Daud Kilau, and almost every Gen X and Y knows who he is.
M. Daud Kilau is well-known as a dangdut and Malay rhythm singer, and his signature 'gelek' dance is always a joy to watch. We are sure all you loyal readers of orangperak.com know exactly which number one King of Gelek we are referring to. For your information, loyal readers of orangperak.com, the real name of Datuk Muhammad Daud Bin Kilau, or more popularly known as M. Daud Kilau, is a renowned singer in our country, Malaysia. M. Daud Kilau was born on July 10, 1938, in Sungai Ular, located in Bagan Datuk, Perak. This Bagan Datuk native, who possessed talent in both singing and the 'gelek' dance, was the youngest of 10 siblings. M. Daud Kilau's journey into the world of arts actually began in 1968. That year, M. Daud Kilau won the Bintang Radio competition with the songs 'Musalmah Manis' and 'Joget Hitam Manis'. His career in the entertainment and arts industry took off following his victory in that competition.
M. Daud Kilau's fortunes improved with a flood of offers and new opportunities in the arts scene. He also received offers to become a recording artist, leading to the production of many songs in the langgam, traditional Malay rhythm, and dangdut genres that resonated with his soul. 1968 was his lucky year, propelling his name into the world of arts and entertainment, where it has remained to this day.
Not stopping there, in 1985, M. Daud Kilau once again made a name for himself in the arts by winning the Pesta Dendang Rakyat competition in the traditional singing category. His soft, smooth, and melodious voice was the main factor in his victory and helped him secure a place in the hearts of his growing fan base. What cannot be forgotten is that his 'gelek' dance was also a major factor in his success.
The 34th Sultan of Perak, the late Sultan Azlan Shah, bestowed the Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) title upon M. Daud Kilau in 1991 in recognition of his contributions to the arts. Since then, M. Daud Kilau has carried the title of Datuk and continues to entertain all of Malaysian society to this day. The success of this Bagan Datuk native in the arts is truly a source of pride.
The video above features a fan-favorite song!
