# Siva Choy

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**Sivanandan Choy** (22 May 1947 – 4 March 2018), better known as Siva Choy, was a Singaporean musician, comedian and writer, known for his [Singlish](/source/Singlish) rap classic "Why U So Like Dat?", released in 1991.[1][2][3]

## Early life and education

Sivanandan Choy was born to an Indian family in [Gillman Barracks](/source/Gillman_Barracks), in [Alexandra](/source/Alexandra,_Singapore). His father, was from [Kerala](/source/Kerala), India, and moved to Singapore to work as a civilian foreman for the British Army, managing a British military power station located in Gillman Barracks. His mother, was born in Singapore to M K Chathukutty, a migrant from Kerala and founder of the Singapore Malayalee Hindu Samajam (SMHS), and Ammalu Amma, a migrant from [Tamil Nadu](/source/Tamil_Nadu). As a migrant, his father went to SMHS to look for jobs, and was introduced to Chathukutty's daughter and eventually got married.[4]

Choy was the youngest of three brothers.[4]

Choy was supposed to be Choyi, like his father's; a clerk at the registry issuing his father's identity card spelt it as Choi. When Choy was born, a clerk at the hospital made another mistake by spelling his surname as Choy instead of Choi, making him the only person in his family with the surname Choy.[5]

Living in Gillman Barracks in his early childhood, Choy listed to music in different languages, including as English, Malay, Tamil, Mandarin and [Hindustani](/source/Hindustani_language). Choy attended Pasir Panjang Primary School, where he learnt how to play a [recorder](/source/Recorder_(musical_instrument)) and a guitar, and together with his brother, James, they were known as the Cyclones, and pioneered the local [R&B](/source/Contemporary_R%26B) scene.[6][7][8] While attending [Bartley Secondary School](/source/Bartley_Secondary_School), Choy often performed in plays and took part in singing competitions.[9][10]

In 1969, Choy graduated from the [University of Singapore](/source/University_of_Singapore) with a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) with honours in philosophy, political science and English.[10][11][12]

## Career

In 1964, the Cyclones joined the Checkmates to be their lead vocalists, performing regularly at tea dances organised by the Golden Venus club located along Orange Grove Road in [Tanglin](/source/Tanglin).[13][14] After being offered a contract by [Philips Records](/source/Philips_Records), the Cyclones released two EPs, one in 1965 and another in 1967.[6][9] Later, Vernon Cornelius joined the band, and the band was renamed as Unit 4+2+1, inspired by popular British group [Unit 4+2](/source/Unit_4_%2B_2).[6]

In 1967, Unit 4+2+1 disbanded as the members began working regular jobs, and Cornelius left the band to join [The Quests](/source/The_Quests).[6] Together with members of the Comancheros, Choy formed the X-periments and released two singles and two LPs under [RCA Records](/source/RCA_Records).[9][15]

Upon graduation from university, Choy worked as a journalist for Fanfare, an entertainment magazine published by Straits Times Press.[11][12][16] In 1971, Choy also worked briefly as a correspondent for [New Nation](/source/New_Nation_(Singapore)).[10][17][18]

Thereafter, Choy spent five years busking in Europe and another year cycling from Holland to Singapore, before starting a job in the advertising industry in 1976.[19][20][21] Choy also authored the popular *Kitchi Boy* stories, which told the story of a group of local boys in Singlish and colloquial humour. Eventually, the stories were compiled as books *Oh No, It's The Kitchi Boy Gang* and *I'm Sorry, It's Kitchi Boy Again*, published in 1985 and 1986 respectively.[1][21]

In 1990, Choy moved to [Perth](/source/Perth) for retirement, while occasionally returning to Singapore to perform. Choy also played in two blues bands, performing in gigs and shows across [Australia](/source/Australia).[10]

In 1991, together with comedy group Kopi Kat Klan, Choy released an album titled *Why U So Like Dat?*, consisting of [Singlish](/source/Singlish) songs and sketches. The album sold more than 50,000 copies, and its title song enjoyed frequent radio airplays.[7] In 1998, the album was issued as a CD, containing 11 tracks from the original cassette version and seven new tracks.[19]

From 1999 to 2012, Choy wrote a column for *[The New Paper](/source/The_New_Paper)*.[22][23]

## Personal life

In 1986, Choy married Ilsa Sharp, a freelance writer based in Singapore.[10]

After two strokes, Choy was hospitalised at [Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital](/source/Sir_Charles_Gairdner_Hospital) and was in a coma for two days.[2] He died on 4 March 2018.[1][2]

## Discography

- *The Cyclones* (1965)[24][25][26][27][28]

- *The Cyclones* (1967)[29][30][31][32]

- *Why U So Like Dat?* (1991)[33]*[34]*

## Filmography

### Film

Year Title Role 2001 One Leg Kicking Sammy Best[35]

## Bibliography

- Kitchi Boy (1985). *Oh No, It's the Kitchi Boy Gang!*. Singapore: Times Books International. ISBN 978-9-9716-5220-3.
- Kitchi Boy (1986). *I'm Sorry, It's Kitchi Boy Again!*. Singapore: Times Books International. ISBN 978-9-9716-5223-4.

## References

1. Yip, Wai Yee (2018-03-05). ["Veteran blues musician Siva Choy, who penned Singlish rap classic Why U So Like Dat?, dies aged 70"](https://str.sg/3euu). *[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. ["Veteran musician Siva Choy, songwriter of Why U So Like Dat? dies at 70"](https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/veteran-musician-siva-choy-songwriter-why-u-so-dat-dies-70). *[Today](/source/Today_(website))*. 2018-03-04. [OCLC 46474542](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/46474542). Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. Ong, Tanya & Lay, Belmont (2018-03-05). ["Why 90s 'Why U So Like Dat?' Singlish song is so memorable"](https://mothership.sg/2018/03/why-u-so-like-dat-siva-choy-died/). *[Mothership](/source/Mothership_(website))*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. Choy, Siva (2004-06-22). ["Oral History Interview"](https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/oral_history_interviews/record-details/46d7babf-115f-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad). *www.nas.gov.sg*. Retrieved 2024-12-09.

1. Choy, Siva (1971-03-06). ["Saturday with Siva Choy"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/page/newnation19710306-1.1.4). *[New Nation](/source/New_Nation_(Singapore))*. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. ["Remember when..."](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19820810-1.2.80.9.1). *[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)*. 1982-08-10. p. 22. [ISSN 0585-3923](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0585-3923). [OCLC 8572659](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/8572659). Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. ["R.I.P. pioneering blues musician and humourist Siva Choy (The Cyclones and Kopi Kat Klan)"](https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/r-i-p-pioneering-blues-musician-and-humourist-siva-choy-the-cyclones-and-kopi-kat-klan). *bandwagon.asia*. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. Walker, Judy (1982-07-02). ["Swinging again"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newnation19820702-1.2.45.7). *[New Nation](/source/New_Nation_(Singapore))*. pp. 32–33. Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. Pereira, Joseph C. (1999). *Legends of the Golden Venus*. Singapore: Times Editions. pp. 11–25. ISBN 978-9-8123-2058-2.

1. Long, Susan (1997-02-09). ["He cracks jokes and sings the blues"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19970209-1.2.56.7.3). *[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)*. p. 7. [ISSN 0585-3923](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0585-3923). [OCLC 8572659](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/8572659). Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. ["SIVA CHOY TALKS ABOUT..."](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19990302-1.2.24.2). *[The New Paper](/source/The_New_Paper)*. 1999-03-02. [OCLC 224529521](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224529521). Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. ["Siva's many faces"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19990302-1.2.24.1). *[The New Paper](/source/The_New_Paper)*. 1999-03-02. p. 18. [OCLC 224529521](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224529521). Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. Toh, Christopher (2015-11-02). ["Take a trip back in time with Stars Of The Golden Venus"](https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/music/take-trip-back-time-stars-golden-venus). *[Today](/source/Today_(website))*. [OCLC 46474542](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/46474542). Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. Utomo, Delfina (2014-11-21). ["Before Zouk, there was Venus… Golden Venus"](https://coconuts.co/singapore/features/memory-lane-before-zouk-golden-venus-clubbing-1960s/). *[Coconuts Media](/source/Coconuts_Media)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. ["FOR LOVE OF THE SIXTIES"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19820415-1.2.132.4). *[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)*. 1982-04-15. p. 1. [ISSN 0585-3923](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0585-3923). [OCLC 8572659](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/8572659). Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. Quek, Barbara & Yeo, Zoe (2016-04-10). ["Cover to Cover"](https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-12/issue-1/apr-jun-2016/cover-to-cover/). *[National Library Board](/source/National_Library_Board)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. Choy, Siva (1971-01-21). ["Historic site loses its relics"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newnation19710121-1.2.28). *[New Nation](/source/New_Nation_(Singapore))*. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. Choy, Siva (1971-01-21). ["The bus rush pickpocket team at work"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newnation19710121-1.2.63.6). *[New Nation](/source/New_Nation_(Singapore))*. p. 16. Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. Tee, Hun Ching (1999-01-15). ["No roots, Dat's the way I like it"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990115-1.2.104.4.1). *[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)*. p. 4. [ISSN 0585-3923](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0585-3923). [OCLC 8572659](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/8572659). Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. Wong, Kim Hoh (1991-10-06). ["Why you so like dat, uh?"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19911006-1.2.52.20.1). *[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)*. p. 12. [ISSN 0585-3923](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0585-3923). [OCLC 8572659](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/8572659). Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. Cheah, Philip (1986-05-17). ["Meet the real Kitchi Boy"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19860517-1.2.55.2.6). *[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)*. p. 4. [ISSN 0585-3923](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0585-3923). [OCLC 8572659](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/8572659). Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. Choy, Siva (1999-03-30). ["Ill wind didn't blow in there"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19990330-1.2.34). *[The New Paper](/source/The_New_Paper)*. [OCLC 224529521](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224529521). Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. Choy, Siva (2012-03-11). ["The REAL dangers of digital devices..."](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper20120311-1.2.22.3). *[The New Paper](/source/The_New_Paper)*. p. 35. [OCLC 224529521](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224529521). Retrieved 2024-12-08. – via [NewspaperSG](/source/NewspaperSG)

1. The Cyclones (1965). ["The Cyclones"](https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/record-details/5a40dffc-1164-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad). *nas.gov.sg*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. The Cyclones (1965). ["I'll"](https://open.spotify.com/track/6MXioW6ID1jlgPncJbpjto?si=9c3d5a3fd4554a89). *[Spotify](/source/Spotify)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. The Cyclones (1965). ["Oh No, She Didn't Say"](https://open.spotify.com/track/75CKt9tquOs4BQCxwCtygz?si=b630747247f64a2c). *[Spotify](/source/Spotify)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. The Cyclones (1965). ["She's Mine All Mine"](https://open.spotify.com/track/2qclfqq0m5JFIR81FpX8Pl?si=56e21cedda7f440e). *[Spotify](/source/Spotify)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. The Cyclones (1965). ["The Dew"](https://open.spotify.com/track/5T75nNHj4BJXoQBNYq9jKr?si=685df354e3404791). *[Spotify](/source/Spotify)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. The Cyclones (1967). ["Your Thoughts, Your Cares And You"](https://open.spotify.com/track/6YZrjJzAKtad1C5jgl7K6J?si=de3052c6725546a7). *[Spotify](/source/Spotify)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. The Cyclones (1967). ["A New Man"](https://open.spotify.com/track/4tozYf2psOjd4wJMlwnM8M?si=d6e92a10533e45f5). *[Spotify](/source/Spotify)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. The Cyclones (1967). ["Stop Your Sobbing"](https://open.spotify.com/track/3gFPt5QuU1ppKKna45EsZj?si=9803e80f304a4391). *[Spotify](/source/Spotify)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. The Cyclones (1967). ["I'll Be Home"](https://open.spotify.com/track/7qnux98zXbkjcreSYONblp?si=8fb91b0e679f4b0d). *[Spotify](/source/Spotify)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. Choy, Siva (1991). ["Why U So Like Dat?"](https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/album-detail?cmsuuid=006e59ab-e098-4cb7-bfed-5b527409a52f#). Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. Choy (1998-12-31). ["Why U So Like Dat?"](https://music.apple.com/sg/album/why-u-so-like-dat/788762591). *[Apple Music](/source/Apple_Music)*. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

1. ["One Leg Kicking"](https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/record-details/5a651806-1164-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad). *www.nas.gov.sg*. 2001. Retrieved 2024-12-08.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Siva Choy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siva_Choy) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siva_Choy?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.