M’sia might break records with 400 CNY songs released this year!
Feb 06, 2026
Malaysia is seeing an unprecedented boom in Chinese New Year songs released ahead of CNY 2026, with reports suggesting that as many as 400 CNY songs will be released nationwide. The number is currently estimated to be at 350 CNY songs so far as reported by Oriental Daily and Sin Chew Daily. The figure, which has been widely discussed across social media platforms, highlights just how vibrant and competitive the festive music scene has become in recent years.
Online discussions and viral posts point to a surge in new releases created specifically for the Year of the Horse, with artists, brands, and content creators all joining in the annual tradition. From catchy pop anthems to humorous and brain-washing tunes, the sheer volume of songs reflects both the cultural importance of Chinese New Year in Malaysia and the growing role of digital platforms in amplifying this lucrative industry.
Malaysia’s CNY music caught international attention
A writeup by Tom Phan of UDN Global in 2023 suggested that Malaysia might just be the country with the most CNY songs, and we see an upward trend over the past years.
The article described Malaysia as the country that produces the most Chinese New Year (CNY) songs in the world, and this reputation did not happen by accident. According to an analysis by Taiwanese media, the phenomenon is closely tied to the strong cultural significance of Lunar New Year within Malaysia’s Chinese community. Festive music has long been seen as an essential part of the celebration, helping to create atmosphere in homes, shops, radio stations, and public spaces throughout the season.
In the early years, many Chinese New Year songs heard in Malaysia were imported from China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. Over time, however, local singers and composers began creating their own festive tracks, blending traditional New Year themes with Malaysian cultural elements and local languages. These original productions gradually formed a uniquely Malaysian CNY music identity, making festive songs a yearly expectation rather than a novelty.
Remember that time CNY coincided with Hari Raya Aidilfitri which led to the creation of this iconic piece?
FYI, CNY and Eid will coincide again in 2029!
Started off with record labels and media companies
As demand grew, record labels and media companies started setting up dedicated teams to produce Chinese New Year songs annually. Television stations and radio broadcasters also joined in, releasing their own festive theme songs each year. This institutional support played a major role in expanding the industry, turning CNY music into a seasonal production cycle with consistent releases and wide exposure.
The boom really happened when YouTube and social media lowered the entry barrier
The rise of the internet and video platforms further accelerated this trend. With YouTube and social media lowering barriers to entry, content creators and influencers began producing their own Chinese New Year songs, skits, and music videos. This digital shift dramatically increased both the number and variety of releases, transforming Chinese New Year music in Malaysia into a vibrant, competitive, and ever-growing creative ecosystem that now stands out globally.
A quick observation by Wah Piang discovered that mega YouTuber accounts from Malaysia had churned out approximately two to four CNY songs each.
Yes, a primary school released a CNY song too! It had garnered over 600,000 views within one week of the song being released.
In short, Malaysia’s diversity of CNY songs highlight how deeply the celebration is woven into Malaysian Chinese culture, making it a standout example of how music continues to unite and energise the festive season year after year.
Malaysia’s Chinese New Year song phenomenon carries more meaning than just festive creativity — it showcases a cultural tradition that has evolved with time, technology, and community participation. To top it off, this phenomenon has opened up so many opportunities for Malaysians to showcase their world-class talent, be it song-writing, video production, or choreography.
