32 athletes from Malaysia will be competing at the Rio Olympics, which is scheduled to kick off merely days from now, as the nation continues its forward trajectory in search of the elusive Olympic gold medal.
A large chunk of our contingent have arrived in Rio, and Lee Chong Wei will be the flag-bearer at the opening ceremony this weekend, where the gates will be opened for what should be a nail-biting period of three weeks.
As most athletes would tell you, the last few days are all about staying focused and being motivated to hit the ground running. And while every single one of them would undoubtedly have their own unique source of motivation, we’ve taken the liberty of preparing a small music playlist for them.
By Malaysia, for Malaysia 🙂
1) Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
This has to be on the list. You can never go wrong with Eye Of The Tiger – in fact, it’s probably what most athletes have in common, regardless of their playlist preferences. This song has survived generations and will continue to do so, by providing you with that extra adrenaline, when you need it the most.
2) Jungle – X Ambassadors feat Jamie N Commons
This track first came into the picture through Dr Dre’s outstanding pre-World Cup video in 2014. It blended really well with clips of some of the biggest football stars on the planet and since then, it’s widely recognised as a must-have motivational track on your playlist. Have this blasting in your earphones just minutes before you get into action, and you’ll experience an impeccable sense of confidence. Ask Neymar, he’ll tell you all about it 😉
3) Glory – Common feat John Legend
If you need that extra ounce of patriotism in your veins, this is the song to go to. Common’s verses explicitly address the issues that African-Americans face on a daily basis, and it stresses on the need to stand up for yourself and for your community. It’s not a fast-paced track, but there’s enough meaning in this to compensate for beats and still give you that pivotal adrenaline rush.
4) Cinderella Man – Eminem
You can’t go wrong with Eminem. Especially this one. Cinderella Man has a fine combination of upbeat music and lyrical depth – one that’s designed to give you chills in your spine, in a positive way, of course. Even the intro gets you going! – “Who can catch lightning in a bottle? Set fire to water? Comin’ out the nozzle on the fire hose, flier than swatters?”
5) Survivor – Destiny’s Child feat Da Brat
This one will take you down memory lane, but at the same time reiterate how big of a character Beyonce and her team of ladies were and still are, albeit individually. To Pandelela and every other female in #TeamMalaysia, this one’s for you. Be a survivor!
6) Atmosphere – Kaskade
If you’re an athlete that goes to EDM for a little bit of motivation, Kaskade will undoubtedly be on your list. It’s incredibly upbeat from the get-go and just carries you into outer space, as soon as the chorus breaks. Perfect track for someone looking to stay pumped up at night, on the eve of a big, big day.
7) The Game Has Changed – Daft Punk
If you’re fan of Tron Legacy, you’d LOVE this track. But fret not, even if you aren’t a fan of the film, this one has the ability to create an inter-galactic warfare atmosphere in your subconscious. It’s time to defend the planet, humans. The game has changed, are you ready?
8) New Divide – Linkin Park
Some days, you’ve got to just go back to Linkin Park’s era for a good dose of inspiration. New Divide will undoubtedly give you that vibe and thanks to your eidetic memory, it will also bring back memories of Optimus Prime attempting to save the world. If he could, why not you?
9) Queen – We Are The Champions
A big part of attempting to motivate yourself, is the ability to imagine what it would be like should you triumph. This track is the perfect accompaniment for that process. Flip on the earphones, close your eyes, get the track playing and just imagine the scenes back home in Malaysia should you win a gold medal.
Lets Go – Travis Barker feat Busta Rhymes, Yelawolf, Twista, Lil Jon
What do you get when you put some of the fastest rappers on the planet in one song, alongside a drummer whose global reputation is unparalleled? You get this track! Travis Barker kills it on the drums, while the likes of Busta, Yelawolf and Twista take turns in destroying three impeccable verses. If this doesn’t qualify as upbeat for you, nothing will!
BONUS TRACK: Selamanya Harimau Malaya – Joe Flizzow, Altimet, Carleed Khaza
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kETs8LK8NOE
If you’re missing Malaysia in Rio and you need something to boost your day, go to Joe Flizzow and his gang. They’ve got a plethora of good tracks, but this one has an upbeat and patriotic vibe to it. It’s evidently for the national football team, but the lyrics reflect a bigger sense of patriotism that can be applied to every other sport as well. It will remind you of Malaysia, but at the same time give you the edge you need on the pinnacle of world sports.
What do you think of this playlist? Do you think we missed out on a good track? Let us know by commenting below!
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