KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawakian musician Alena Murang has once again done Malaysia proud, winning an international music award.
The 32-year-old sape maestro bagged Best World Music Video award for her song Warrior Spirit at the Buenos Aires Music Video Festival 2021 in Argentina recently.
In an Instagram post today, Alena said that she was thrilled with Warrior Spirit's win and thanked everyone involved in its production for a fantastic job.
"We won! Warrior Spirit's music video is the Best World Music Video of the Buenos Aires Music Video Festival 2021. Oh, what a year it has been!" said Alena.
"Thank you team, for making it happen. It is a victory for Malaysian talent."
The music video was produced by Project Room and Kanid Studio, with Fabian Joseph and Alena as executive producers and Sarah Lois Dorai as director.
Joshua Maran and Alena co-wrote the song.
Sarah said: "Our win is proof that Malaysians can come up with world class music videos. The festival saw us compete with household names in pop music such as Selena Gomez and Dua Lipa."
It is Alena's second win in the annual festival. Last year her music video Midang Midang won the Best Styling award.
The festival was held from Monday to Wednesday and was attended by popular artistes Gomez, Lipa, Lil Nas X, Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion among others.
Several artistes congratulated Alena and her team on their win.
Singer Velvet Aduk said: "Congratulations Alena and team! Malaysia boleh!"
Singer and Miss Malaysia World 2014 Dewi Liana Seriestha said: "Wow! Well done Alena!"
Miss Malaysia World 2018 Larissa Ping said: "Heartiest congratulations Alena and team. You have done all of us proud."
Alena, who is of Kelabit descent, is the country's first female sape musician.
She learnt to play the traditional instrument when she was 11, from renowned sape master Matthew Ngau.
