Raja Azreen Raja Talib, the longtime drummer for Malaysian rock band Meditasi, died after collapsing behind his drum kit during a festival performance in Kuantan, Malaysia. He was 56.
Azreen was performing with the group at the Teruntum Rock Festival on July 18 when he suddenly slumped over during the second song of a planned 10-song set. Meditasi frontman Bakaruddin Daud, known as Burn, told local media that he immediately rushed toward his bandmate after realizing something was wrong, according to PEOPLE.
The drummer was carried backstage before an ambulance arrived and transported him to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital. His older brother, Raja Azman Raja Taib, said Azreen was given respiratory assistance but never regained consciousness. He was pronounced dead shortly before 11 p.m.
Azreen had recently experienced health problems, including a diabetes diagnosis and two hospitalizations in June for heart-related issues. His brother attributed the death to heart complications, although the publicly available reporting does not cite an official hospital or medical examiner statement establishing a precise cause.
His Bandmates Saw Him Slump Over His Drum Kit
Burn said Meditasi had completed two songs when he noticed Azreen slumped over the drums. He rushed toward him, called his name and tapped him but received no response. “The fans were quite alarmed when they saw what was happening,” Burn recalled, according to reporting subsequently cited by PEOPLE.
The band carried Azreen backstage, and an ambulance arrived within minutes. He was then taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, where attempts to assist him were unsuccessful. A New Straits Times report published after his death described the festival appearance as Azreen’s final performance, while tributes quickly spread through Malaysia’s rock community.
One detail took on additional significance afterward. Masa Legacy vocalist Zack said Azreen had especially wanted to play drums on the first song from Meditasi’s debut album during the festival appearance. According to mStar, he was able to fulfill that request before he collapsed.
Azreen Had Been Hospitalized Twice for Heart Problems
Azreen’s brother said the drummer had been hospitalized twice in June because of heart-related problems and had also recently been diagnosed with diabetes. One of those hospital stays lasted between two and three weeks before Azreen required another admission.
Raja Azman also suggested that extreme fatigue could have placed additional strain on his brother. He said Azreen had gone directly from participating in a BMX competition to the music festival.
Burn said there had been little indication during rehearsals that his bandmate was about to experience a medical emergency. Meditasi had rehearsed for three days ahead of the festival, and Burn remembered Azreen as happy to be reunited with friends. “He didn’t appear sad or unwell,” Burn said, according to PEOPLE.
Music and Cycling Were Both Major Parts of His Life
Azreen’s enthusiasm for cycling extended well beyond casual recreation. His brother said he had previously operated a bicycle shop and remained passionate about BMX, returning to competitions after his health improved enough for him to participate.
Music had occupied an equally significant part of his life for decades. Recording Performers Malaysia’s membership records identify Raja Azreen bin Raja Talib, who also performed as Az, as a drummer associated with both Meditasi and Okay.
mStar reported that Azreen joined Meditasi around 1990, after the group had recorded its first album. Meditasi became part of Malaysia’s 1990s rock scene through songs including “Bidadari,” “Hukuman Pada Pesona” and “Biar Pedih Kasih Memanjang.”
The group itself traces its roots to the 1980s. It later went on hiatus before reuniting in 2015 and continuing to perform for an audience that had followed its music for decades.
His Final Message to the Band Was ‘The Show Must Go On’
Azreen’s death left Burn and guitarist Rosli Ahmad confronting the future of a band they had shared with him for years. Burn said shortly afterward that they had not yet fully discussed what would come next, but he believed Azreen would have wanted Meditasi to continue.
That belief was reinforced by something Azreen reportedly told his bandmates before the festival. With another member also feeling unwell, Azreen insisted that “the show must go on,” according to Berita Harian’s account of Burn’s comments. Burn said the remaining members intended to honor that message.
He also took an active role in the arrangements following his friend’s death. Astro Awani reported that Azreen’s remains were transported from Kuantan to Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, for funeral arrangements and burial.