These New NDP Covers And Original Bop By MDC? Total Slay. And Powered By Real-Life BFF Energy

“No one really said that the song was done, but we just knew it was completed when we decided to call it ‘For Singapore’,” says singer-songwriter and Music and Drama Company (MDC) artiste RINES.

There’s something about that line that hits, especially on International Day of Friendship (30 Jul), a day recognised by the United Nations as a reminder that bonds between people – across cultures, backgrounds and borders – can inspire peace, connection, and lasting change.

Because sometimes, the best things aren’t built alone. Not a song, not a nation, and definitely not the kind of music that gets people feeling all the feels during National Day season.

Cue “Celebrating Singapore: Volume 2”, the brand-new album by MDC, which dropped on 11 July 2025. It’s the follow-up to last year’s first volume, and this time, the vibes are even stronger.

We’re talking four reimagined covers of NDP tracks that deserve more love (“My Island Home”, “It’s The Little Things”, “Will You”, and “Here We Are”), plus one original song written from scratch by RINES and fellow MDC artistes Dominic Chin and Gail Belmonte.

Old faves, new feels

National Day songs have always been more than just anthems. They’re the soundtrack to our shared memories, hopes, and celebrations.

“At MDC, we’ve reimagined so many NDP songs in different ways through the years. We all have many faves that we want to do and have yet to do!” says Dominic. “For Volume 2, we wanted a mixture of the classic older songs that aren't usually performed at NDP, and newer ones, with that MDC twist.”

That MDC twist? Think: smooth vocals, tight harmonies, modern arrangements, and, yes, major glow-up energy. And when it came to the track “Will You”, the decision was personal.

“We also wanted to pay tribute to ex-MDC alumni like Jimmy Ye and Lily Anna Rahmat-Hargrove, who respectively wrote and performed in that song,” he adds.

“For Singapore” – this one hits different

The original track is where things get deep. “For Singapore” was written like how most good things are made: bit by bit, with intention, and with people you trust.

“We all have really different musical inspirations,” says RINES. “So it was very interesting to put together a song with all of our influences in it. We each wrote a section of the song, and then came together to make sure it made sense.”

And it worked. No big dramatic finish, no overthinking. Just a quiet moment where they knew the track was whole.

“No one really said that the song was done, but we just knew the song was completed when we decided to call it ‘For Singapore’.”

A behind-the-scenes shot of some of the MDC artistes involved in the music video of "For Singapore", an original NDP song by MDC. | IMAGE: MUSIC AND DRAMA COMPANY

But what really fuelled the process? Friendship.

“Putting this album together was a joy in itself because our friendship goes beyond our work here,” says Gail. “There is a genuine care for each other and this, in turn, helps to elevate our creative process. I also think that because of this friendship, there is a joint passion that truly reveals itself in the finished product.”

Dominic agrees. “Us being genuinely good friends outside of work was a big part of how we made this collaboration work,” he says, adding, “We learnt each other’s processes and how we can support each other to just be our most productive and creative self. We wrote some things individually but when we did come together, it was magic. We wrote Verse 2 together and also a bit of the post chorus.”

For RINES, that synergy was everything: “There is a kind of synergy that helps us understand each other without too much explanation. It helps speed up the writing process and we are able to seamlessly move in the same direction.”

It’s the company that counts

Beyond the music, there’s also something beautiful about the why behind it. For Gail, who brings silky soul to the tracklist, a celebration isn’t about going big. It’s about who you share it with.

“I can party the night away or spend a quiet evening with my besties. The most important thing to me is the company!”

That same energy is what fuels MDC’s 52-year legacy. “When people of different backgrounds are brought together and fuelled by their love for the arts, the energy is electric,” says Gail. “In MDC, the reality is that we just happen to fall into friendship so easily. This is palpable when we come together because there is a shared goal and love in creating a ‘live’ entertainment experience. And this is the key to creating an unforgettable experience for audiences who come to see us perform.”

(From left) MDC artistes Gail Belmonte, Dominic Chin, and RINES. | IMAGE: DOMINIC CHIN

Dominic adds, “I think sometimes when people come together to share the stage, friendship is not necessarily important for a good performance if it’s rehearsed enough. But I’m so grateful we are also very good friends, which makes performing much easier, and much more magical. We just vibe and sync too well!”

RINES puts it best: “When performing with friends, there is a kind of joy that you wouldn’t get when performing with people that you may not know very well. It’s a nice blend of fun and achievement that makes working enjoyable.”

Looking ahead (and still vibing at 60)

With Singapore turning 60, we had to ask: where do you see yourself at 60?

“I hope I’ll still be involved in music and the arts,” says Gail. “Creativity’s always been my first love.”

“I just want to be able to look back and feel like I dared to dream,” says Dominic.

As for RINES? “Still young at heart… and hopefully sipping a nice whiskey by the beach.”

We'll drink to that! 🥃

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