Have you ever wanted to be a star? Get noticed on the Internet and become famous? Ruumz gives you an opportunity for your big break.

By Kelvin Goh Wong

The social site, m.ruumz.com, acts as a social media site, with a twist: It allows its subscribers to post songs and videos as well as listen to 10 radio stations that highlight the Malaysian independent music scene.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of ruumzNation Sdn Bhd, James Chong, said that the Malaysian radio stations don't provide enough of a platform for the local independent artists for the local music scene to grow.

"Our country is filled with great talent. Why should such talents be denied exposure just because they do not follow the mainstream?  We should embrace them and help them grow, help the industry grow," he added at the recent Asian Voize Independent Music (AVIMA) awards.

The AVIMA awards are probably the biggest independent music awards in the world and our local artists managed to bag four awards.

Gila Monstarz won the Best Hip Hop Song (Gold) for their song, Riderz, while local boy made good, Kraft, bagged the Silver for his collaboration with Mia Palencia, titled Diamonds in the same category.

The Best Rock Song (Silver) award went to local group, Crush, for their song, Blinded.

"We're very happy to win the Silver award for Best Rock Song of the year. We never expected to win anything, but knowing that there are people out there who listen to us makes us really happy. It took us three to four years to make it this far. Thank you AVIMA," they said as they received their award.

Altimet and Melissa Indot earned Best Collaboration honors as part of the indie collective, the M.A.D project and for their song, Change.

Managing Editor of Voize.my, Siva Chandran, said that the AVIMA awards is a prestigious, globally recognised awards and the fact that the local artists in Malaysia won four of those awards is proof that the music industry, especially the independent movement, has loads of talent.

"The talent is here, but it's all well hidden. With the local stations not giving enough air time to local artists and the local music flavor is lost."

He also added that with these accolades, the radio and broadcast media paves the way for further growth in the Malaysian music industry.