Ramli bin Sarip

Ramli bin Sarip (b.15 October 1952, Singapore- ) is a Singaporean singer, songwriter and music producer, widely celebrated as the “Papa Rock” of the Malay rock scene in Singapore and Malaysia.¹ Known for his distinctive raw vocals and poetic lyrics, Ramli rose to fame as the frontman of the rock band, Sweet Charity, from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s.² His 60 decades-long solo career has made him an icon of Nusantara (Malay Archipelago) music, blending rock, blues, folk and traditional Malay music³ while using his songs to deliver messages of self-reflection and faith.^{4, 5}

Early Life and Background
Ramli Sarip was the second youngest of ten children and born into a family where music and faith were deeply rooted.⁶ His father, Sarip Sham, was a religious teacher who sang in a marhaban group and played keroncong music.⁷ Ramli’s brothers also played musical instruments, surrounding him with music from an early age.⁸

As a teenager, Ramli kept his musical ambition to himself, hesitant to share it with his father. But his father, who was aware of his son’s interest, offered a simple yet lasting piece of advice: Should he choose to become a singer, he must do so with sincerity and wholehearted commitment. That advice became a guiding principle for Ramli throughout his career.⁹

Around the age of 16, Ramli and his kampong friends began performing at Malay weddings on weekends for a small fee.¹⁰ He also performed with his band, Sweet Charity,at the Ocean Bar in Sembawang,¹¹ where he gained valuable experience performing for live audiences – all while holding a daytime job as an office clerk, hiding his long hair under a wig.¹² When Ramli was 21, his father passed away from a heart attack. This profound loss strengthened his resolve to pursue music, carrying with him his father’s blessing and advice to sing with sincerity.¹³

The Sweet Charity Years
Ramli Sarip began his professional musical journey as the lead vocalist of Sweet Charity, a band formed in 1967.¹⁴ Known for their energetic live shows and Ramli’s commanding stage presence, Sweet Charity earned a loyal following in Singapore and Malaysia.

Under Ramli’s leadership, Sweet Charity released several landmark albums, producing hits that have since become classics.¹⁵ In 1978, major recording label, Warner Electra Atlantic (WEA) Records approached the band, further boosting their exposure.¹⁶ Their final album, Berita Gempa (1985), marked the end of an era for Sweet Charity and the beginning of Ramli’s journey as a solo artist.¹⁷

Success as a Solo Artist
After leaving Sweet Charity in 1985, Ramli embarked on a prolific solo career that showcased his versatility and his commitment to meaningful songwriting. His self-titled debut solo album, Ramli Sarip (1985), was well received. This was followed by Bukan Kerana Nama (1986), an album that firmly established his identity as an artist willing to experiment beyond the confines of hard rock.¹⁸

His fourth solo album, Istilah (1988), tackled social issues and spiritual themes, featuring songs like “Doa”, “Gejala Hari Ini” and “Layarkan” that encouraged listeners to reflect on faith and community challenges such as drug abuse.¹⁹ His subsequent album Warisan (1989), made history by selling over 70,000 copies within 24 hours.²⁰

Ramli’s success extended to large-scale concerts, including Konsert Seni dan Suara at the National Stadium in 1989, which attracted an estimated 20,000 people and marked his decade-long partnership with WEA Records.²¹ Decades later, Ramli remained a dynamic performer, staging milestones concerts such as Hayat…45 Tahun Seniman Ramli Sarip at the Esplanade in 2014 to celebrate 45 years of his musical career.²²

Musical Evolution
Ramli’s music evolved from raw rock to an eclectic blend of genres including folk, traditional Malay music and spiritual songs.²³ He regards music as kebaktian, a form of service and devotion.²⁴ This philosophy shaped his projects such as his spiritual album Sadaqa (2012), produced by his company Rasa Cipta Sdn. Bhd., to raise funds for mosque development. Launched at Masjid Hasanah in Singapore, the album invited audiences to reflect through songs rich in spiritual meaning.²⁵

In 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ramli released Rasa, his 23^rd album and the second fully produced in Singapore since Bukan Kerana Nama in 1986.²⁶ Blending folk, blues, rock and Nusantara elements, the album embodies his lifelong journey as an artist and his audience’s shift towards embracing deeper, spiritual themes.²⁷ Songs like “Srikandi Zaman”, which narrate stories of revered women in Islamic history, underscore his commitment to lyrical poetry and faith.²⁸

Beyond his musical recordings, Ramli has been a passionate supporter of social and charitable causes. In 1989, he staged a show at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) in Changi, where he shared his personal story about his father’s influence and encouraged former drug addicts to rebuild their lives with the support of the community.²⁹ He has also organised charity concerts such as Friends for Life (1988) for the National Kidney Foundation³⁰, and Blues Buat Teman (2014) to help raise funds to support fellow musicians and their families in need.³¹

Ramli continues to explore new sounds. In 2021, he accepted an invitation by the Singapore Jazz Association (JASS) to perform jazz Malay songs for Pesta Jazz. This further highlights his ability to bridge different musical genres and connect with a wide range of audiences.³²

Awards and Recognition
Ramli’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades. In 2013, he was conferred the honorary Darjah Pangkuan Seri Melaka (DPSM) by the governor of Malacca, which carries the title Datuk, in recognition of his decades-long influence on the Malay music industry in the region.³³ His version of Singapore’s national anthem, performed at the Padang during the 2011 National Day Parade, was noted by the then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for its heartfelt delivery.³⁴ In 2024, at the age of 72, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (Compass), celebrating six decades of his contributions to the local music scene.³⁵

Throughout his career, Ramli has shared the stage with countless local and regional artists, acted as a mentor in talent shows such as Akademi Fantasia 4 in Malaysia,³⁶ and remained open to working with young musicians, a key part of staying relevant after more than five decades in the industry.³⁷

Timeline
1966: Starts singing at age 16, performing at Malay weddings on weekends while working as an office clerk on weekdays.³⁸
1967: Forms Sweet Charity, marking the beginning of his music journey.³⁹
1978: Sweet Charity approached by Warner, expanding their reach in the region.
1985: Sweet Charity releases final album Berita Gempa; Ramli launches his solo career with his debut album Ramli Sarip.
1986: Releases second solo album Bukan Kerana Nama.
1987: Releases Perjalanan Hidup.
1988: Fourth solo album Istilah released, addressing social and spiritual issues.
1988: Organises Concert Friends For Life to raise funds for the National Kidney Foundation.
1989: Fifth solo album Warisan sells over 70,000 copies within 24 hours. Stages Konsert Seni dan Suara at the National Stadium.
1991: Releases Rentak Hidup, exploring themes of village life and “high blues”.⁴⁰
1998: Ban on long-haired male rock artists lifted; Ramli’s songs return to mainstream broadcast.⁴¹
2000: Launches Ramli Sarip Alive 2000 project, later supporting former collaborators through charity concerts.⁴²
2005: Marks 40 years in music with concerts at Istana Budaya and releases Roh Zaman compilation.
2010: Becomes the first artist invited to perform at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Kuala Lumpur. Serves as principal on Akademi Fantasia 4.⁴³
2011: Performs Singapore’s national anthem at the Padang during the National Day Parade.
2012: Releases spiritual album Sadaqa to raise funds for mosque development.
2013: Receives Darjah Pangkuan Seri Melaka (DPSM) and the title Datuk.
2014: Celebrates 45 years in music with Hayat…45 Tahun Seniman Ramli Sarip concerts at Esplanade and Istana Budaya.
2021: Releases 23rd album Rasa during the COVID-19 pandemic, his first fully produced in Singapore since 1986. Also performs jazz Malay songs for Pesta Jazz and launches Bulan Bahasa 2021.
2024: Receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (Compass)

Author
Nur Fatin Afiqah Binte Halim

References
1. Hanim Mohd Saleh, “Belum bersara bukan kerana nama,” Berita Harian, 21 September 2014, 10. (From NewspaperSG).
2. Hazeeq Sukri, “Rock legends Sweet Charity reflect on illustrious career ahead of reunion concert,” CNA Lifestyle, 1 August 2023, https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/sweet-charity-ramli-sarip-singapore-concert-2023-366956.
3. Ainin Alfiyani Jailani, “‘Papa Rok’ terima Anugerah Pencapaian Sepanjang Hayat dari Compass” Berita Harian, 30 September 2024, https://www.beritaharian.sg/gaya-hidup/papa-rok-terima-anugerah-pencapaian-sepanjang-hayat-dari-compass.
4. Shahida Sarhid, “Papa Rok cipta Rasa di sebalik pandemik”, Berita Harian, 9 October 2021, 16. (From NewspaperSG)
5. Azman Siraj, “Ramli ajak pendengar kenal diri, Tuhan,” Berita Harian, 17 April 1988, 9. (From NewspaperSG)
6. Ramli Sarip, oral history interview, 6 January 2006, MP3 audio, 00:33, National Archives of Singapore (accession no. 003011).
7. Ramli Sarip, oral history interview.
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9. “RAMLI,” Berita Harian, 13 September 2005, 11. (From NewspaperSG)
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13. “Those were the days.”
14. Ramli Sarip, oral history interview.
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17. Kamali Hudi, “Ramli Sarip kembali ke akar warisan,” Berita Harian, 27 October 2001, 25. (From NewspaperSG)
18. Kamali, “Ramli Sarip kembali ke akar warisan.”
19. Azman Siraj, “Ramli ajak pendengar kenal diri, Tuhan.”
20. Azman Siraj, “‘Warisan’ tempa sejarah,” Berita Harian 30 April 1989, 9. (From NewspaperSG)
21. “Konsert raksasa Ramli Sarip sempena pelancaran album baru,” Berita Harian, 10 December 1989, 8. (From NewspaperSG)
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23. “45 years of Ramli Sarip,” Straits Times, 16 October 2014, 5. (From NewspaperSG)
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28. Shahida, “Papa Rok cipta Rasa di sebalik pandemik.”
29. “Ramli Sarip temui penghuni DRC”, Berita Harian, 2 September 1989, 1. (From NewspaperSG)
30. Azman Siraj, “Ramli dan rakan-rakan Bersiap untuk berbakti kepada NKF,” Berita Harian, 4 December 1988, 8. (From NewspaperSG)
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33. “Ramli Sarip, Rosyam dapat ‘anugerah’ Datuk,” Berita Harian, 13 October 2013, 7. (From NewspaperSG)
34. “‘Majulah Singapura’ dendangan Ramli sentuh juwa PM Lee,” Berita Harian, 11 August 2019, 5. (From NewspaperSG)
35. Ainin, “‘Papa Rok’ terima Anugerah Pencapaian Sepanjang Hayat dari Compass.”
36. Hanim Mohd Saleh, “Ilmu warisan legenda rok Ramli Sarip,” Berita Harian, 8 July 2010, 12. (From NewspaperSG)
37. Ira Musfirah, “'Papa Rock' Ramli Sarip keluarkan album penuh terbaru - yang pertama dihasilkan di S'pura dalam 35 tahun.”
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39. Ramli Sarip, oral history interview.
40. “Ramli album’s a look at life,” New Paper, 15 October 1991, 25. (From NewspaperSG)
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42. Mohd Khair, “Ramli Sarip anjur konsert bantu rakan.”
43. Hanim, “Ilmu warisan legenda rok Ramli Sarip.”

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The information in this article is valid as of October 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit it here.