siti nurhaliza

Siti Believes in Hard Work

2012-01-27T22:13:00.000-08:00

It had never occurred t her that she will be famous and rich.

Raised up in the government police barrack, with modest surrounding and facilities, Siti was taught to work hard for a living. Seeing her performing and looking at her now, no one suspect that she was at one time of her life, had to sell cake and cookies to her school friends and neighbors. I can imagine the little Siti had to bring the school bags and a basket to cakes in one of her hand.

She had just record her dream, an album of 10 English songs. She had made it in Bahasa Melayu, and her songs are selling hot in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. The English album had received various king of criticism, which I believed were received constructively by her. The making of the album was a trying time for her. One of the indirect effect is, her command of English language had to improve.

The new album was released by a local entertainment firm, belonged to her step son.

Siti Nurhaliza Picture On Rusdi Ramli’s Wedding Party

2011-08-08T19:13:00.001-07:00

Siti is one of the few successful singer in Malaysia. Her venture into cosmetic is mainly due to her younger days ambition to be an entrepreneur. I guess it is easier for her to succeed on stage than in the business field.

Many will be hoping that she start her family, having a kid and complete her role..

On November 16th 201o Siti Nurhaliza and Datuk K attended Rusdi Ramli’s Wedding Party that marry Sharon Paul. They are both VIP guest and look happy with golden dress.

Tagged as: siti nurhaliza and datuk k picture

View the original article here

Do You Want to Become Professional Singer

2011-07-23T01:51:00.000-07:00

Are you one of those who dreamt to become a professional singer like Siti Nurhaliza? Do you want to become famous artist with fame and become a popular star. There are just too many of them, but the majority of these people do not know what to do.

So, if it your dream to be a star, keep on trying, as there are so many path to reach the top, unlike other profession, where the road is almost specified. For example, if you want to become a doctor, then, you have to enrol in the university for your medical course. The fastest way to reach the fame is to enter the competition. In Malaysia, there are a number of competition that are recognised by the general public. For example is the academy fantasia, which created star like Mawi.

read the feed for more information...

Famous vocalisers like Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson became professional isaac m. singers even when they were just kids. Many others take the more traditional road to study music and singing to realise their grades in music and bring together theatres and going opera houses. Then there are also those who became well-known Siti Nurhaliza by bringing together a local band performing at wedding parties, parties and lances and later in bigger lodges and hotels before hitting big time.

However, to become a good professional vocalise, you must be able to sing well. The problem is that many people think that they are good vocalists but in fact, they are just plain average.

All you need to do is just to take a look at the tryout segments of The American God realism appearance. Every year, thousands of so sent for vocalizers take part in the tryout across Army and I am sure you would have laughed at the many supposedly Idols wannabes who ca n’t even keep a note or a tune. Yet they think they are good enough to become The American Graven image or else they would not have journeyed from distant metropolises and slept night long on the streets just to get into the tryout studios, is n’t it? .

So one way to meliorative your tattle ability is to begin with proper vocal preparation with good vocalizing teachers. Even illustrious and world-class vocalists take singing lessons to get where they are, so do n’t you think you should do the same? .

Yes, to be a good professional vocalist is also about the full package. This full package includes not only being a good vocaliser, you must also have the X-factor, the power to harbour and the ability to make the audience adore you. The problem is that many wishful vocalizers arrogate that to be successful as a vocalizer depends more on icon and connexions and not existent vocalizing talent. The reality is that in most cases, they absolutely missed the home run! .

You are not sent for a vocaliser for just looking good on microscope stage. You are sent for a vocalizer because you can sing and the audience delight your singing so much so that they are willing to part with their hard realised money to pick up you sing and nurse them. A well trained vocalizer will have the power to produce musical notes at accurate delivery, have good vocal artistry and also able to represent song dynasties. This is something that has to instructed and developed over time.

Upon developing the acquirements of being a good professional Siti Nurhaliza, then you can set about looking for lines or lances through tryout or through attentive roles. Your local music schools, pa mags or music shops may allow professional agents and manufacturers to advertise such tryouts. So check them out regularly.

You can also hook up with bands and movement as the star Isaac M. Singer if you are good enough. Most professional vocalists started out that way until they get found and then went on to singing solo.

So if you want to become a wildly successful professional vocaliser, then do what wildly successful vocalizers do. Railroad train to be one and then look out for chances when you are ready to become a superstar! .

View the original article here

2011-05-27T06:48:00.001-07:00

Another news that will certain send cheer to the army personnel. Bernama reported that Siti will be joining the army. I am almost sure, the news will attract more people to join the territorial army.

Another issue that will be looming, an army personnel will have to cast their vote via postal vote. Some will say the more postal vote the better...

Read on...

Friday May 27, 2011

Siti Nurhaliza to join Territorial Army

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's pop diva Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin is expected to join the Territorial Army soon, according to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said singer Jaclyn Victor, who won the inaugural Malaysian Idol, and television personality Maznah Zolkifli had also given indication that they would follow suit.

“Siti Nurhaliza has agreed to join the Territorial Army with the support from her husband. I will also invite several actors to join the team,” he said after presenting excellent service awards to National Service Training Department staff at the ministry yesterday.

During the ceremony, he also conferred the rank of Honorary Colonel on department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil.

Ahmad Zahid said those who joined the Territorial Army would be requested to undergo 39 hours of training a year before they could be commissioned as junior officers. - Bernama

KD Sing Together With Siti Nurhaliza

2011-05-22T05:24:00.001-07:00

Eventually the two friends, KD and Siti could duet in a song.

VIVAnews reported - KD and Siti Nurhaliza could eventually juxtaposed in asong creation Charlie ”ST 12?. This is the old ideals of both.

KD has long aspired to sing a duet with Siti Nurhaliza. Finally, the dream was achieved as well. Through a song called ”your loss”,both successfully paired and duet together.

“We both woo each other a year ago, God bless you yesterday inMalaysia has recorded 5 songs. Actually these ideals both of us,but delayed because of busy each,” I’m KD after recording atStudio Aquarius, Pondok Indah, 30 November 2009.

Charlie’s melancholy song of creation ”ST 12? is also inviting a million questions, whether intentionally booked as disclosure KDdeepest heart.

“Not because of the special order, but that as a token of appreciation towards me. If addressed directly, frankly did not, butdepending on the assumptions of people yes,” said the Diva.

When working with management Siti Nurhaliza, KD was deeplyimpressed to see how their work is professional. ”I am amazed atsiti management who say if this should be immediately releasedand I got shocked, can sing 5 songs in 3 days,” he added again.

Tagged as: duet kd with ct

View the original article here

Siti In The Secretary Week

2011-03-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

It will be nice to go for the day outings with our secretary. For a change the conversation is not about work, it is about things of mutual interest.

It would be more interesting when Siti is the host, the entertainer, for the secretary week on 5 Apr.

Has anybody ever hear siti talking in Kuala Lipis slang,

Here the slang for LIPIS... not the lady by the man..MAT

Siti's Talk Show

2011-03-10T01:22:00.000-08:00

I guess what Siti is doing now is, she has move one notch up.

I see talk show is more difficult to perform. It is not like the singing, where you can react and practice until you have perfected the song and the movement. Talk show is so much impromptu, as your guest can change his mind and so something that was not even discussed.

The first with Mahathir seem to be a success, I think siti had been playing to the tune, that can the reason why the show in Penang was cancelled last minute. I always hope that we can rise above the lowly political shadows.

Her talk shows was covered by the star below:

Friday February 11, 2011

A chat with Siti

By SHEELA CHANDRAN
sheelac@thestar.com.my

Songbird Datuk Siti Nurhaliza now has her own TV talk show.

DATUK Siti Nurhaliza has added another feather to her cap by being a talk show host. The eponymous Siti is further proof of the award-winning songstress’ diverse talents.

Having been in the music industry for 15 years and dabbled in musical theatre (playing a prominent role in P. Ramlee The Musical in 2007), it’s a natural progression for Siti to venture into TV hosting.

New venture: Datuk Siti Nurhaliza has former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as her first guest on her new talk show, Siti.

Interestingly, Siti was inspired to host her own TV programme by none other than American chat show queen Oprah Winfrey.

“I’ve always admired how she is able to use her talent to build a vast entertainment empire,” Siti, 32, has said in an earlier interview.

The 13-episode Siti, which starts airing on Astro Ria tomorrow, is divided into four segments: V.I.P. Siti, Sentuhan Kasih (Caring Touch), Siti’s Perspective and Siti’s Symphony.

V.I.P. Siti lines up interviews with a plethora of political and public figures who have made meaningful contributions to the nation.

In the premiering episode, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad shares his thoughts on fostering unity among the different races, his passion for carpentry and secret to looking youthful.

This is how you do it: Ismail Jejaka showing how to make music using a saw and a bow on the show.

The upcoming episodes will feature guests such as national football coach K. Rajagopal, eye surgeon and motivator Prof Dr Muhaya Mohamad, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar, also a columnist with Sunday Star’s health pulloutFit4Life, and founder of Jamu Mak Dara products Halimah Shuib.

“This segment showcases elements of inspiration, aspiration and motivation. Guests will share stories of their struggles in achieving success in their respective fields,” says the songbird on Siti Talkshow@AstroRia on Facebook.

Sentuhan Kasih zooms in on Siti’s quest to help the underprivileged. Each week will show her extending aid to a less fortunate family.

“The audience will see how challenging life can be, having to survive with bare necessities. Hopefully, this will educate viewers in our goal to help the needy,” Siti notes on her Facebook.

Siti’s Perspective explores topics ranging from obesity, foot problems associated with wearing high heels, baby-dumping and the K-pop culture.

“This segment is my perspective on issues and interesting topics. The audience will also have a chance to voice their thoughts,” she writes.

Siti’s Symphony is an entertaining segment where she invites a uniquely talented person in the music industry to be her guest, who may be a street musician or someone who rarely gets public attention. Not only will she give them a platform to showcase their talents, Siti will sing with them as well!

Guest musicians include nose flautist Bahtiar Abdullah, Johor-based rock band Mistaken Identity drummer Parijan Bibit (who was born without a right hand), musician Ismail Jejaka who uses a saw and a bow to create music, orang asli musician Sasimah Latiff and kereb (a traditional instrument) player Abok Angah.

Siti’s latest venture does not mean the end of her singing days. She is currently working on her next album and is happy juggling between singing and hosting.

Siti airs on Saturdays and Sundays at 9pm on Astro Ria (Astro Channel 104), beginning tomorrow. For details, browse Siti Talkshow@Astro Ria on facebook.com.

Siti Chat Show

2011-02-12T22:52:00.000-08:00

I catch the Siti Chatshow at 2.30 today. For 1 hour show, I think it is rather too long, may half an hour will do fine.

To me a chatshow is rather a serious business, there must be a message it. It is very different from a stage show, I went see it to enjoy the show. It responds to the heart, whereas a chat show, responds to the mind.

I saw the paper on Friday giving coverage about the show, so I tried to catch it at 0900 hr this morning, only to find out that the show is at 1430 hrs atAstro Ria.

Siti Nurhaliza is very adventurous. After her success on stage, she ventured to personal care products. I am not sure how it fares. Now, something totally different, the chatshow.

The chatshow are being planned. The line up will start with, the ex- PM himself, Tun Mahathir. The future lineup will feature the national football coach K. Rajagopal, eye surgeon and motivator Prof Dr Muhaya Mohamad, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar. There more to come.

Given the professional approach of getting her job done, I am sure Siti must had hire professional coaches to guide her. She appeared compose and confident, with Mahathir in his usual self. I am not so sure, if Siti had asked anything about the happenings in Egypt, which I think Mahathir may have alot of words for Hosni.

The show is planned for 13 episodes and divided to 4 segments:

a. V.I.P

b. Sentuhan Kasih (Caring Touch)

c. Siti’s Perspective

d. Siti’s Symphony.

Congratulation to Siti. Hope she do well, like her outstanding record in entertainment business.

anuggerah Juara Lagu

2011-01-14T16:04:00.000-08:00

Siti Nurhaliza, performing her songs at the Juara Lagu at Bukit Jalil last sunday 11 Jan. She was not none of the contestant. She still maintain her charm and class in the melody and in the presentation. Her three songs, Balqis, Nirmala and Cindai.

The event was held on 9 Jan 2011. The announcement of the winners were made amidst the apprehensions of the participants and the fans. 14 songs were contested.

Champion: Tolong Ingatkan Aku (song, music and lyrics by Ana Raffali). Prize: RM35,000 and a trophy.

First runner-up: Drama King (Meet Uncle Hussain and Black, with music by Taja and lyrics by Tun Teja). Prize: RM15,000 and a trophy.

Second runner-up: Noktah Cinta (Hafiz, with music by Ajai and lyrics by Shah Qalam). Prize: RM12,000 and a trophy.

Best performance: Hanyut (Faizal Tahir, with music by Audi Mok and lyrics by Faizal). Prize: RM10,000 and a trophy.

Best vocals: Noktah Cinta (Hafiz). Prize: RM10,000 and a trophy.

sources:
the star newspaper: jan 11 2011

Francissca Peter Concert

2011-01-14T06:52:00.000-08:00

A concert by Francissca Peter will be held at Istana Budaya on Feb 5 and 6 2011. This is to commemorate 33 years of her active involvement in the Malaysian Music industry.

The singer from Perak became on of the popular singer in the local music scene escpecially in the Malay songs. She started her career in 1980s with the captivating voice to sing the popular song like "persama pertemuan ini' and waktu dalm bercinta.

She is well versed in Malay, English Chinese and even Hindi Song. She move to USA in 1990s folowing her marriage. Later she went to Britain, China and Hong Kong and starred in the musical 'The King and I".

In 2003, Fran and her husband returned to Malaysia.

I enclosed a video of Francissca Peter in preparation for her coming concert.

2010-12-18T05:57:00.000-08:00

Dunia hiburan tanah air memang mencabar. Ramai penyanyi yang timbul tenggelam. Tahun lepas RTM sekali lagi menggilap penyanyi baru, yang muda remaja, Nur Ernie.

Nur Ernie Shahirah Zakri, 18, tabah menghadapi beberapa dugaan didalam perjalan dia untuk mengukir nama sebagai seorang penyanyi. Gadis genit yang dilahirkan daripada program Bintang RTM 2009 ini sentiasa tabah dan tidak pernah kenal erti putus asa.

Sebaik selesai pertandingan Bintang RTM, anak jati Kuala Lumpur ini perlu menjalani peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Selepas itu, dia dikehendaki mengikuti Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN). Selesai latihan selama tiga bulan, Ernie menerima pula tawaran melanjutkan pengajian Diploma Seni Muzik di Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam.

ERNIE bersama piala Bintang RTM 2009.

Biarpun sudah bergelar pelajar, juara Bintang RTM ini nekad untuk meneruskan perjuangannya sebagai penyanyi. Dugaan bagaimanapun sekali lagi menimpa apabila proses menyiapkan dua lagi lagu untuk dimuatkan dalam albumnya tergendala gara-gara kebakaran studio milik Alfa Booty Kesuma pada Syawal kedua yang lalu.

Mujur dua lagu berkenaan masih belum sempat dirakamkan menyebabkan syarikat rakaman yang menaungi Ernie iaitu Fantasia Music City (FMC) mencari lagu ganti, untuk dimuatkan dalam album sulung bakat baru ini.

“Memang banyak halangan dalam perjalanan awal untuk mencipta nama sebagai penyanyi. Tetapi semua itu tidak mematahkan semangat saya. Sekali sudah memulakan langkah dalam bidang ini, saya tak menoleh ke belakang. Saya perlu melipatgandakan lagi usaha.

“Saya beruntung berada di bawah FMC, yang sentiasa berusaha keras demi kerjaya saya. Kalau bergerak sendirian, mungkin tidak berada pada tahap ini,” kata Ernie yang tidak berhasrat menangguhkan pengajian semata-mata mahu memberikan tumpuan kepada nyanyian.
Kata gadis yang berkebolehan bermain biola ini, dua bidang yang diceburi dan dipelajarinya masih perkara yang sama. Justeru, dia berasakan tidak perlu menangguhkan pengajian hanya disebabkan nyanyian.

“Setakat ini belum terfikir lagi apa yang bakal mendatang kepada kerjaya nyanyian. Lagi pun, apa yang saya belajar ketika ini dan kerjaya yang saya ceburi ialah dua perkara yang sama. Karier nyanyian saya tidak mengganggu tumpuan pada pelajaran.

“Syarikat rakaman juga tidak terlalu mengikat pergerakan saya. Mereka memberi kebebasan kerana memahami status saya sebagai pelajar. Senanglah sedikit untuk saya membahagikan masa. Jadi saya tidaklah terfikir menangguhkan pengajian semata-mata nak menyanyi,” katanya.

Mengimbau rentetan pembabitannya dalam bidang nyanyian, bakat gadis yang mula menyanyi seawal usia lima tahun ini dicungkil daripada pertandingan Bintang RTM.

Ketika itu, hanya Bintang RTM saja yang membuka penyertaan kepada peserta dari umur 17 tahun ke atas. Pertandingan nyanyian lain rata-rata hanya menerima peserta berusia 18 tahun, menyebabkan Ernie memilih untuk mencuba nasib dalam pertandingan anjuran RTM.

Katanya, dia tidak meletakkan harapan tinggi supaya diterima menyertai pertandingan yang pernah melahirkan nama hebat seperti Allahyarham Datuk Sudirman, Jamal Abdillah, Ramlah Ram dan Datuk Siti Nurhaliza.

Ketika masih bersaing dalam pertandingan berkenaan, bakat Ernie diintai FMC, yang terus menghulurkan lamaran. Saat itu, Ernie berada pada peringkat separuh akhir.

Bersama FMC, Ernie sudah memiliki lagu Mahu Ingin Bercinta, Bicara Cinta dan Rindu Bukan Teman. Ketiga-tiga lagu itu kini sudah disiarkan radio terutama di stesen radio milik RTM. Bagaimanapun, Ernie kini berusaha untuk turut mempromosikan lagu-lagunya di stesen radio swasta dan sebahagiannya sudah mula menyiarkan lagu terbabit.

“Setakat ini saya bersyukur dengan perjalanan karier ini walaupun pada awalnya ada yang bertanya, siapa Ernie? Pada awal-awal dulu, ramai juga yang mempertikaikan kemunculan saya dalam bidang ini. Tapi kini alhamdulillah, kehadiran saya perlahan-lahan diterima oleh masyarakat,” kata Ernie.

Profil: Nur Ernie
Nama: Nur Ernie Shahirah Zakri
Umur: 18 tahun
Asal: Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Adik Beradik: Bongsu daripada dua beradik
Pendidikan: Sedang mengikuti pengajian Diploma Seni Muzik, UiTM.

Solekan: Deq Sha
Pakaian: Hazril Hisyam (012250566

Sources:

Tercapai impian
Oleh Serimah Mohd Sallehuddin
serima@bharian.com.my
2010/12/14

Note of appreciation to the paper Berita Harian, from which the post is taken.

sity avita

2010-12-01T18:57:00.000-08:00

I was reading the news on Sitis launching of a new product sity avita. I was curious and skeptical about her business idea of launching the second products.

When she launched the simply siti, then the thought crept in that she wanted to leverage her publicity to promote the products. Many people like her and want to use the product, not so much of the value of the product but because of her name and involvement.

When she launch the second product's name the sity avita, then people are asking if she has move away from the earlier product to the new product. Of course we can argue that the new product is focusing on the business segment of 'anti-ageing'. But is it better to develop a new product for simply siti for the purpose of anti ageing. ... Simply Siti Anti-Ageing.

It was have thought that strengthening your own product will give you a better market presence. This is the world of business, the cosmetic business and not the show business.

We still remember the days of Sudirman with his product ... Sudi . It died of with the demise of Sudirman.

sheila majid sharing hari raya

2010-10-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

I always like Sheila Majid, I saw in her the special ability to balance her life, between family and music.She manage to maintain her composure and identity, as a malaysian and as a singer.

I include the report written by Choong for the star.

......................................................
Tuesday September 21, 2010
Sheila thrills the crowd
By CHOONG MEK ZHIN
mekzhin@thestar.com.my

THE month-long Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Sinaran Raya, Salam Aidilfitri campaign ended on a high note with a performance by Datuk Sheila Majid who sang a number of songs, including those from the 1980s.

Many of the guests and mall-goers could be seen singing along to Sheila’s hits like Lagenda, Antara Anyer Dan Jakarta, Aku Cinta Padamuand Sinaran during the 45-minute live showcase.

The showcase was jointly presented by MasterCard Worldwide and was a treat for the first 100 shoppers of Pavilion who spent RM500 and above on their MasterCard during the campaign.

Meeting the fans: Sheila (right) shaking hands with some of the guests at the showcase.

Sheila also attended a buka puasa event at the Al-Amar Lebanese Cuisine restaurant with the first 25 shoppers who charged a minimum of RM1,000 on their cards in a maximum of two receipts.

The campaign that ran from Aug 18 to Sept 12 also saw Pavilion giving wishing stars for their Bintang Wall to donors with a minimum donation of RM10 while those who gave RM50 and more received a complimentary Sinaran Raya CD by Sheila.

In addition to the RM3,000 collected, the mall also donated RM5,000 each to Pusat Jagaan Baitus Sakinah Wal Mahabbah and Rumah Nur Salam.

Sheila, who was dressed in a bright magenta robe and had her hair up in a high ponytail, also tried enlisting the support of her fans to find sponsors for a concert in Malaysia.

It has been reported that she is having trouble looking for sponsors earlier this year for a concert to commemorate the 25 years she has been in the music industry.

She is also popular in Indonesia and had a concert scheduled there this year but had to be postponed to next year.

“There were some security problems, mainly for the concert-goers, thus the postponement,” she said, adding that she still had a number of events lined up for the rest of the year, including a show at Singapore’s Esplanade in December.

Sheila said she would not give up on a local concert even if it meant it would only be held next year.

Pavilion marketing general manager Kung Suan Ai said their first collaboration with Sheila was in April during the F1 period.

“The response was tremendous which is why we decided to collaborate with her again for Ramadan and Hari Raya.

In fact, our deco concept is based on the title of her song Sinaran,” Kung said.

raya 2010 di Kedah

2010-09-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

Tahun ini siti nurhaliza beraya di Kedah, jadi orang lipis terpaksa lah tunggu setahun lagi.

Sit nurhaliza kelihatan lebih dewasa sekarang.

New Blog for Siti Nurhaliza

2010-08-29T05:27:00.001-07:00

I am starting a new blog for siti nurhaliza, it is intended to be in Bahasa, as I realize that the majority of the readers are Malaysian who are more comfortable with Bahasa.

The new blog is at http://sitinurhaliza.biz/

Is Siti Nurhaliza Expecting

2010-08-26T00:15:00.000-07:00

The fans are excited. The tabloids are featuring gossips that the lovely singer, Siti Nurhaliza is expecting her first baby. If it is true then it would be a great gift for her. At 27,she cannot be considered young anymore, having indulged in the music scene in Malaysia for more than 15 years, probably it will be good time to take a short sabbatical break from the daily routine.

She had been working really hard to prove her worth. She had already proven it in the entertainment sect. Not she want to show herself as an entrepreneur. The simplysiti brand is her own personal image, it will be easier for her to market it based on her own laurel.

Her own physical maturity had shown, it is a different kind of beauty. But her voice remain intact.

Lately, new kind of musics are surfacing, a music that are heavily colored by the influence of the west, unlike the kind that are promoted by Siti. This is reflection of the changing taste of the audiences.

siti nurhaliza counting 15 years in Music

2010-08-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

Siti Nurhaliza celebrated her 15 years in the Malaysian music industry.

She described that her success are the direct result of the support she had received from her countless number of fans, without whom she will not be in what she is currently.

The date 1 April 2010 is the memorable date marking her 15 year. It does seem a short period but as they had been saying .."time does appear short when you enjoying the moments"

" Siti would like to take this moment, in the beautiful and gracious day, to extend my sincere gratitude to each and everyone of you, whether you are reading this note or not, my sincere appreciation for your support to me in my journey in the making of the music. "

" Siti consider that you all are part of the bigger circle of family, whether in blogs of facebook, although I had been 15 year, I have still alot to learn.

As you all know, I had entered into a new realm of business, the Simplysiti. It is a step to expand my meaningful work and I want it to be a success like the success of other that had come before me"

"Thank You again for your support and dedication"

Siti Nirhaliza

Siti nurhaliza ended the hostility

2010-08-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

I read in the paper the good news about the making up of siti nurhaliza and sharifah aini. I think this is timely as there is nothing both of them hope to gain from this. Both being the entertainers in their special ways.
In fact when I read about the hostility between the two years ago, I find it hard to put the pieces together and to make sense of the situation, I mean, if someone says that Sharifah was jealous of the success of Siti, it seem to make sense, as I think Sharifah's career had been down. However Syarifah Aini had her glory days, well before Siti was able to walk onto the stage.

Perhaps it is a blessing in the blessed month of ramadhan, a month for prayers and charity. My sincere hope is, both of the singers are true to themselves and realize that, it is counter productive to remain in the stage of hostility. The efforts and time out to outdo and outpace, to attack and defend, will not speak well for them.

yunalis zarai

2010-08-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

yunalis zarai or yuna for short, had made her mark in the music industry locally in Malaysia. In the last AIM 17 ( anugerah industy music) a few month ago, she bagged the title as ' the best new artiste'.Glancing at the paper last Friday, 6 Aug, the following caught my attention:

a. She is wearing a scarf or tudung. Not many Malaysian artiste wear tudung, and I hope she will maintain it, as the head scarf will be a continuous reminder of herself.

b. She completed her degree in legal study, I am not sure whether that will entitle her to practice law. That remind me of the late Sudirman, one of the leading Malaysian entertainer who had pass away. He too was a qualified lawyer.

c. She manage to get a slot to perform in USA, at the South Bay South West festival at Austan Texas.

d. She is planning to get exposed in UK this August. Incidently, it will be the fasting time. I hope she does not forget to fast.

I also include her music from youtube:

>

Enclosed below posting made in the local paper the star, writen by azhariah kamin.

--------------------------------

Tuesday May 4, 2010

A star is born

By AZHARIAH KAMIN
entertainment@thestar.com.my

Newcomer bilingual singer-songwriter Yuna was the big story of the recent AIM17 awards.

IF the latest edition of the prestigious Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM17) on Sunday was anything to go by, the annual event still has a future ahead with a strong cast of newcomers and next generation acts.

Budgets have been trimmed for the event. And you might not see or hear the screaming pop fans like it used to be in the early years at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur, but the annual awards night is still significant to those who care about local music. It didn’t really matter whether you came from the indie scene or the mainstream since the AIM awards was the night where everyone, regardless of their musical preferences, had a chance to be recognised for their outstanding works.

Darling of the night: Yuna with two of four awards she won.

And even though AIM17 was bumped to a Sunday slot (for the first time!) and only saw a handful of camera-toting fans lining up to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars on the red carpet (prior to the awards ceremony), that didn’t mean that this year’s AIM awards was any less glamorous.

With 24 awards up for grabs at Dewan Merdeka in PWTC, the night kicked-off with a promise when pop diva Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and her close friend Indonesian singer Kris Dayanti performed their award-winning duetAmarah much to the delight of the fans in the hall. But nothing could beat the roar of approval from the audience when the two affable hosts – Afdlin Shauki and Adibah Noor – appeared on stage introducing the awards night with a medley of improvised popular local songs.

For the past several years, this unlikely but delightful duo (minus Bob Lokman who was missing on stage this year) proved to be natural court jesters who charmed the crowd with their well-timed jokes and cheeky banter. Suffice to say they were the highlight for the (some times tedious) two-and-a-half hour AIM show.

In terms of live action, one of the highlights of the night was the much awaited performance by two young rising stars in the local scene, Yuna and Aizat, who were backed by a string ensemble led by renowned composer Ramli MS. Looking radiant and classy, Yuna delivered her hitDan Sebenarnya while a Mod-looking Aizat took the chance to introduce his folk-driven new single Susun Silangkata.

To think that both of these acts were in pre-school when the first AIM awards was introduced. It used to be overblown R&B divas and screechy Malay rock or pop back in those days. It’s a case of trimming down the fat in the Malay pop scene now. Yuna and Aizat are just two new examples of this stripped down indie folk blend.

Disagree won Best Local English Album.

Another highlight for the night was a performance by Zee Avi who was flown in from the United States for the award night to perform Just You and Me and Kantoi, backed by her own three-piece band.

Zee, who is signed to a US-label, could not qualify as a “local artiste” for AIM consideration.

The intimate folk vibe was a nice touch through the evening. But it was still an awards show and you needed the divas with big voices to fill up the vast hall. A powerful rendition of Cinta Ada by Datuk Sheila Majid, Jaclyn Victor and Karen Kong got the audience screaming with delight. No surprises there!

And not to mention rocker Faizal Tahir who never fails to captivate the audience with his powerful performances and vocal prowess. He was a show-stealer at the AIM awards two years ago and he was at it again on Sunday.

Faizal performed Selamat Malam as a poignant tribute to local talents who have passed on in recent times.

And as far as the awards were concerned, throughout the night, it was obvious that no one would end up with a lion’s share of the awards. Well except for Yuna, whom some observers predicted to bag home several awards.

Faizal Tahir bagged the Album of the Year and Best Rock Album awards.

And much to her fans’ delight, Yuna, whose real name is Yunalis Zarai, was the big winner for the night by bagging four awards including Song of the Year (Dan Sebenarnya) and Best New Artiste. Yuna also won Best Local English Song for her Deeper Conversation and Best Pop Song forDan Sebenarnya.

At AIM17, Yuna created a bit of history for herself as a newcomer act – winning in the Malay and English categories. No other Best New Artiste has gone on to win such major awards later in the night. Interestingly, Faizal Tahir managed four AIM awards as Best New Artiste in 2008 but he didn’t have an English category win.

These days, bilingual independent acts like Yuna arrive fully ready for the challenge and her music stood out in the crowd. Looking visibly overwhelmed, Yuna, 22, said she didn’t expect to win the awards. She thanked her bandmates and her parents for their continuous support for her musical pursuits and interest.

Elsewhere, Sitizone – as Siti’s fans would call themselves – weren’t disappointed at all when their idol bagged two awards. Siti won Best Vocal Performance in A Song for her rendition in Ku Percaya Ada Cinta. This was Siti’s mind-boggling 11th win (of the same award) since 1999 (except 2007 where she lost it to Jaclyn Victor).

DJ Fuzz (centre) was the toast of the hip hop scene with two awards – Best Hip Hop album and Best Hip Hop song.

In her acceptance speech, the always-gracious Siti said that she was happy that the fans and the judges still believed in her vocal ability to earn the award.

However, many were surprised when Siti lost the Best Pop Album award to Dayang Nurfaizah’s Dayang Live. Siti had two albums competing in the category with her Tahajjud Cinta and Ctkd.

His awards haul might have been smaller this year, but rocker Faizal Tahir did well enough with Album of the Year and Best Rock Album for his latest outing Adrenalin.

Accepting the award (for Best Rock) from his idols rock group Wings, Faizal said that the win was for the fans. “I grew up with Wings and Search songs and to actually be accepting this from Wings, I feel so honoured,” he gushed from the podium.

On the hip hop front, DJ Fuzz and Malique made it a clean sweep with Best Hip Hop album and song category wins. Their uncompromising KO The Mixtape, regarded as an underground favourite, came good on the night while the duo’s single Cerita Kedai Kopi (spouting tales of mind-expansion, infidelity, etc) was sublime lyrical mischief.

Popular songwriter-producer Adnan Abu Hassan was awarded the Anugerah Wirama award for his contribution to the local music industry.

Aired live on Ntv7, the night also saw pop punk outfit Bunkface taking home the Anugerah Kembara in recognition of the young band’s work and its successful trip to Australia last year.

The major AIM17 winners:

Album of the Year: Adrenalin – Faizal Tahir

Song of the Year: Dan Sebenarnya – Yuna

Best Pop Album: Dayang Live – Dayang Nurfaizah

Best Pop Song: Dan Sebenarnya – Yuna

Best Rock Album: Adrenalin – Faizal Tahir

Best Rock Song: Situasi –Bunkface

Best Nasyid Album: Allahu Rabbi – Inteam

Best Nasyid Song: Dia Muhammad – Inteam

Best Hip Hop Album: KO The Mixtape – DJ Fuzz & Malique

Best Hip Hop Song: Cerita Kedai Kopi – DJ Fuzz & Malique featuring Salam

Best Local English Album: To Prevent The Earth From Moving With You – Disagree

Best Local English Song: Deeper Conversation – Yuna

Best Local Indian Album: Life Is A Mystery – Shruthi Jayashankar Best Local Chinese Album: I’m Karen – Karen Kong Best Vocal Performance in a Song (Male): Hazami – Survivor

Best Vocal Performance in a Song (Female): Datuk Siti Nurhaliza –Ku Percaya Ada Cinta

Best Group Vocal Performance in a Song: Datuk Siti Nuhaliza & Kris Dayanti – Amarah

Best New Artiste: Yuna

siti nurhaliza sitizone

2010-07-27T04:05:00.000-07:00

As I was searching for the official website for Siti Nurhaliza at sitizone.com, to my suprise, this is what I got.

I looks suspicious, either the web master had shift the files or it was a virus attach. It is unlikely that the web master does the mistake.

So I went to the next best site which is simplysiti.com/ . Yes, it is alive and of course written in BM. So I use the google online translator, and to my shock, it does not do the job. The translation was not right. I enclosed and corrected the language and attached it below:

-----------------------------------------

http://www.simplysiti.com/

Assalamualaikum and greetings to all. Today is the 1 April 2010 and Siti find it hard to believe that I had been 15 years in the show business. I had passed through diversed experience, excitement, joy, sadness, sorrow, but at the end, I am happy to say, it turned out to be sweet and fruitfull. It is important and meaningful for me.

Siti proud to have you, the SitiZoners and the many fans that I have throughout these years. You all are the very reason why I am here, without you all, I am not what I am today. Siti acknowledge and appreciate all the support and the strength all of you had given to me throughout these years.

Please allow me to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you for giving me what I have. I also like to thank my family, husbands, the media, and everybody in the music industry and anyone who directly or indirectly involved in career Siti. Siti admit that I owe them for what they had given and I will not be able to pay back. I can only promise that I will continue to do the best of what I can and if God willing, to give the time and space to do it.

To all of you, on the (SitiZone), and also on the facebook, you all are like a family to me. So everywhere I go, I do not feel alone as the `family 'is always there with me. For 15 years in the industry, there is so much to learn and explore. Two days ago I launched the product I, Simply Siti. This is a bold step to expand to become usahawan wanita or a lady entrepreneur. This had been my ambition since I was a child, and I want to prove that I can do it, with God's help.

Thank you for supporting for 15 years, thank you setulusnya of heart for me. Siti appreciate and love you all.

Warmest Regards,
siti nurhaliza

Mizz Nina

2010-07-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

Mizz Nina is not new in the Malaysia Tv scenes. She was involved in the local drama as early as 1999, but her acceptance in the music had not been very encouraging.

In conjunction with the release of her first album, "what are you waiting for", a photography session was held for one of the local paper.

She said ' it is in me the hop and rap, but I know, it does have such a large audience her, so with this solo, I has chosen the same genre'.

' I believe that the people will begin to accept this kind of music, consider the new exposure through the webs and tv'.

Currently her kind of music is branded as urban music. However it has a wider acceptance in the overseas markets.

Her English album is recorded in Malaysia as well as in USA, containing 14 songs including 5 in Bahasa. Among the song are:
-What you are Waiting For - (with US singer Colby O'Donis)
- Away with You
- Sri Kandi (with Mawar Beduri)
- Kurnia ( with Noh)

Talking on the relationship with Noh, a vocalist from 'The Hujan", ... 'yes we are friend, we are close and like each other, but what you read in the media, is a bit exaggerated. We shared experiences in the professional field. , I like his character, jovial, simple and creative".

For the time being her focus is on her career, and with release of the solo album, her priority will be in making it a success. The others will have to come second.

Ready To Rock?

2010-07-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

The South Korean girl band will be performing at the MTV world stage concert at Sunway.

So will be German Glam who were in Malaysia recently.
The MTV will ne set at Sunway Lagoon on 31 July 2010. The other personality will be Katy Perry, whose current single -california gurls debute as no 2 on Billboard hot 100 music charts chart,

Meanwhile, after their successful US tour with the Jonas Brothers last year, Wonder Girls are back with a new album called 2 Different Tears. The sophomore effort contains English and Chinese versions of the group’s Korean hit singles, as well as new material. And yes, everyone’s favourite kitschy song, Nobody, is also on the album.

South Korean group, Wondergirls.
Wedged between skinny androgynous German rockers and sexed-up pop vixens, this MTV-endorsed outdoor concert series will also feature our own artiste, indie stars Bunkface.
The AIM-award winning band has its debut album Phobia Phoney to take to the masses and with tunes like Situasi, Revolusi, Prom Queen and Soldier, this Klang, Selangor-raised outfit looks set to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the big stars.
MTV World Stage Live In Malaysia 2010 is anticipating a crowd of over 15,000 fans. You can obtain passes at worldstage.mtvasia.com from now until July 17.

However, there’s an easier way for you to get your hands on the exclusive passes – just join the R.AGE MTV World Stage contest! That’s right, R.AGE, together with MTV, is giving away 20 pairs of passes to the event. All you need to do is answer these simple questions:

1. How many members are in Wondergirls?
2. Who is Katy Perry's fiance?
3. What are the names of the twins in Tokio Hotel?
4. The MTV World Stage concert will rock because .... (in not more than 15 words).
Send your answers and slogan to alltherage@thestar.com.my before July 24. Please include your details (full name, mailing address, MyKad and contact numbers) and key in the words “R.AGE-MTV World Stage” in the subject matter of your e-mail.

Winners will be notified via e-mail by July 28.
This contest is open to those aged between 15 and 25 years old.

ella malaysia

2010-07-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

ela is from Malaysia and known as Queen of Rock,
after all the years away, she still knew how to have fun on the big stage.

It was raining heavily in Kuala Lumpur last thursday. For that was not enough to stop the roack fan from flocking to istana budaya t see the return of malaysia rock queen to the scene.

She was schedule to display her talents in two straight nights. The last time I saw her was in 1995, woww it was a clear 5 years ago. I cannot help but to wonder how she will perform after 5 years, I mean she is 5 years older now. It was time to get reacquainted with Ella’s music and to see how much this singer has matured.

Ella, who turns 44 at the end of this month, has hardly slowed down.

Still rockin’: Ella performing at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur.

She was the life of the party on stage at Istana Budaya last week. She bowled her fans over with a solid and energetic two-hour concert billed Ella & the National Symphony Orchestra. The two-night concert was part of the annual KL Music Festival.

Over 1,000 fans packed the venue – a sizeable number filled up the RM250 seats at the front! Her petite and youthful look belies her age and her 25 rock ‘n’ roll years in the music industry.

Disarming the audience with giggles and anecdotes, Ella was on top of her game. For an artiste who started out playing at smalltown fun-fares and later landing radio hits, she just knew how to tease and cajole her fans into a frenzy with her simple gestures and smiles.

We’ve seen Datuk Siti Nurhaliza shine at this same venue – but Ella was a more fun prospect to watch.

The night kicked off with an instrumental medley of Ella’s popular songs over the years by the 40-piece National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Mustafa Fuzer Nawi.

But the night wasn’t about polite medleys. It was a rock gig with strings and Ella arrived on stage with the fast number Permata Pemotong Permata, which received a thunderous applause.

Her next song Rama-Rama de-lighted fans further as they sang along with Ella from start to end.

It was such amusing sight to see how Ella conducted (flirted with!) her audience – a little wave and a cheeky grin and they were sold on this original Minah Rock.

Popular hits such as Sepi Sekuntum Mawar Merah, Pengemis Cinta, Simbiosis, Nuri, Kesal, Bayangan and Sembilu made the setlist.

After an interlude of Menanti performed by the orchestra, Ella looking resplendent in a shimmering orange-tinged dress, returned to the stage amid wolf whistles and screams.

The crowd lapped up Ulik Mayang complete with Ella’s sweet dance movements. She further entralled her audiences by performing a traditional asli song Jauh Di Mata.

Later on, she took time out to banter and told the crowd that she had always hoped to duet with legendary singer Datuk Ahmad Jais on stage.

Then when Ahmad Jais appeared (surprise, surprise!) alongside Ella on stage, the duo practically brought the house down with their duet of ajoget number entitled Budi Setahun Segunung Intan which was made popular by Kartina Dahari and Ahmad Jais from the 1966 movie Aksi Kucing.

Upon seeing the crowd excited with their performance, Ella teased her fans by asking “Sesuai ke? (Is this appropriate?)” referring to herself standing alongside the veteran crooner.

Guitarist Joe Wings came up next to perform a guitar solo on Bad Hair Day, and the night only got better with rocker Awie turning up to duet with Ella on Baldu Biru. Next came ballad Dua Insan Bercinta (a blast from the past from Ella & The Boys from 1987) which was quite a concert moment!

Nothing too pretentious, and nothing too fussy on stage. This show proved Ella, always in casual and comfortable spirits, is an artiste who has never forgotten that rock ‘n’ roll works best with a screaming crowd. This girl, ella from malaysia, after all the years, still knows how to have fun.

simplysiti

2010-07-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

Beberapa bulan yang sudah, penyanyi suka ramai Malaysia telah melancarkan produk kecantikan yang diberi nama simplysiti.

Siapa pernah menyangka, anak kelahiran temerloh pahang dan dibesarkan di kuala lipis, begitu tabah memulakan perniagaan sendiri. Saya mengagak memang agak sukar bagi dia hendak menjalankan perniagaan. Kerana nyayian dan perniagaan adalah dua bidang yang berasingan.

Sehingga hari ini kami belum lagi psti kenapa Siti memulakan perniagaan sendiri. Kala mengikut teori business, kebanyakan orang yang ingin mengembangkan perniagaan akan memilih business yang sealiran dengan nya , samaada upstream atau down stream.....sambung... cerita simplysiti..

sitinurhaliza ayu

2010-07-09T03:01:00.001-07:00

nurhaliza lipis

2010-07-06T01:41:00.000-07:00

the photo is taken at her house in kuala lipis pahang. We thank the owner, http://shw.sitinurhaliza.fotopages.com/162899.html

It must had been taken years ago, now I think she put a bit of weight, but still maintaining her charms.

The date to her house in Kuala Lipis. Credit to http://razakramli.blogspot.com/2009/10/rumah-siti-nurhaliza-di-kuala-lipis.html for taken the effort to produce nice foto of Siti House. I wonder how often she can go back to see her mum in kuala lipis. It is a long way..

Siti Nurhaliza's house in Kuala Lipis, a grand building fitting her success as a singer, she is one of the few that accumulate millions from her singing career. Good on her, at least I am proud that she comes from my home town, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, my blog on Lipis..http://kuala-lipis-pahang.blogspot.com/

simply siti

2010-07-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

simply siti is the brand of a new beauty products by siti nurhaliza, the popular singer in Malaysia. Speaking to the reporters in Johar Bharu, a town at the southern tip of peninsular malaysia, she was quoted as saying that kiosks to sell the products will be opened at shopping complexes with high volume of customers.

Siti posted with some of the products. She said that the first kiosk was opened at JB Sentral, located near the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) here recently. The kiosk is selling a wide variety of products, ranging from skin care to cosmetics, priced between RM18.90 and RM69.90.

Beside the kiosk, the products are sold at Watson outlets nationwide. It was planned that the counter will be opened Jusco and Parkson department stores in Malaysia. She added that among the 97 products carried by the brand are lipstick, eye shadow, lip gloss and blusher.

As the products are guaranteed halal, it will have a bigger attraction to the muslim majority south east asia. Based on this strength, Siti is planning to expand the reach to Indonesia and Bunei.

make big in japan

2010-06-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

A nasyid singer Aizdean, make big in japan and chalk his success. The star report on Tuesday June 29, 2010

He was co sponsored by Tourism Malaysia, Japan Malaysia Association, Van Council and Dragon Beard in Japan. Since the age of 18, he become interested in Japanese song, and start to learn it after his SPM. Then he was given the opportunity to study Japanese for one year in Kuala Lumpur followed by another year in Japan to enable him to pursue his degree in Japan. He obtained a Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering from the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo.

He is due to release another single with only the Japanese version of the song Show Me The Glory next month. The song is used in a Japanese role-playing game called Far East of Eden. The Japanese know him as Aizdean had his album distributed in the United States and Europe by iTunes.

Among the local singers, his idols include Siti Nurhaliza, Dayang Nurfaizah and Linkin Park, Aizdean said in an e-mail interview that he wished to promote Malaysian music in Japan. Who say nasyid singer cannot make it big in japan?.

Michael Jackson in Memory

2010-06-27T22:34:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson is alive in memory of many people.

I still remember those moment in early 70's when the Jackson Five was performing on stage, how the young Michael Jackson captured the attention of many. Then he seem to be black with curly hair and the nose of a typical people of the descendant. I have nothing again black, but he seem natural in what he was.

Thirty years later, he was a different man, for whatever reason more on the girlish side. He still performed with miracle on stage, but he seem to be not in the natural self. How the time of thirty year and the huge amount of money can transformed a person. Some can benefit from the large amount of cash while other suffers because of it. I think Michael was one of those who suffers due to his success.

I include a newspaper cutting of story on Michael mainly for his fans...

Friday June 25, 2010

The king’s legacy

By CORTNEY HARDING

One year after his death, it’s been a wonder afterlife for Michael Jackson.

ON March 5, 2009, when Michael Jackson announced that he would perform a run of 50 concerts at London’s O2 Arena in a comeback tour called This Is It, the British media largely greeted the news with derision.

The Guardian wrote that a quickly erected stage at the press conference “served only to heighten Jackson’s physical weirdness – the sunken cheeks, the upturned nose, the overpronounced chin cleft.” The Daily Telegraph described his behaviour as “bizarre,” and so many rumours circulated about his ill health that the tour’s promoter, AEG, was forced to issue a statement that Jackson had undergone a battery of tests to prove he was in condition to play the dates.

Following his acquittal in 2005 on charges of sexual abuse, Jackson had spent much of his time in seclusion – at his Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara, California; in Bahrain; in Ireland; in Las Vegas – emerging only, it seemed, to fend off financial ruin, either through ill-fated recording projects or embarrassing public divestitures. Many saw the concerts as little more than a desperate, money-raising gambit.

Daddy’s the best: In this Jan 31, 2010 file photo, Michael Jackson’s children Paris (left) and Prince Michael Jackson II accept the Lifetime Achievement award on behalf of their father at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Despite his ability to sell out 50 arena dates, the King of Pop was seen, even by some of his supporters, as little more than a hallowed oldies act, a performer whose heyday, albeit phenomenal, was more than two decades in the past. To his detractors, though, Jackson was even less than that: either a laughingstock – “Wacko Jacko” – or worse: a freak, a deviant, a pariah.

Flash-forward 15 months, and Jackson’s image in the public consciousness has undergone a dramatic revision. In the days, weeks and months following his death on June 25, 2009, from drug-related cardiac arrest, a popular reclaiming of Jackson as a beloved, once-in-a-lifetime musical genius took hold. While cable-news pundits endlessly pored over the tawdry circumstances of his demise, millions of fans new and old simply shrugged their shoulders and happily popped in theirThriller CDs.

Last July, Jackson regained his spot at the top of the Billboard sales charts, moving 422,000 units in the week after his death alone – to date, the Jackson catalogue has sold nine million copies in the year since he passed, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Spontaneously, kids from Bed-Stuy to Beijing were seen sporting bootleg Thriller T-shirts and blaring Billie Jean as if it were 1983 and Reagan was in the White House.

In the fall of last year, the film of Jackson’s rehearsals for the mockedThis Is It tour became the highest-grossing concert movie of all time, earning US$72mil (RM237.6mil) at the North American box office, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. (The soundtrack to This Is It, Sony Music’s only release of new Jackson material since his death, has sold 1.6 million copies.)

In March, the Jackson estate, led by co-executors John Branca and John McClain, signed a 10-album, US$250mil (RM825mil) deal with Sony that will include the release of a collection of previously unreleased tracks, set for November, as well as repackages of Jackson’s 1979 solo breakthrough, Off The Wall, and his 1987 album, Bad. One month later, Cirque du Soleil, which created the Beatles’ show Love to great acclaim, announced it would produce both a touring and permanent show based on Jackson’s music.

Michael Jackson in memory lingers on.When both fans and experts discuss the troubled last decade of Jackson’s life, it’s now in softer terms, with the artiste portrayed less as an agent of his own demise than as a victim of a colluding set of circumstances – abusive family, circumspect entourage, incomprehensible pressures of fame – that would have felled anyone, no less a fragile man-child like Jackson.

Not wanting to speak ill of the dead is a human and rational desire – once someone is gone, he or she is unable to defend him – or herself. But the changed tone of the conversation surrounding Jackson has done more than just remedy some of the damage inflicted by his years of weird-to-aberrant behaviour; it has also created a series of enormous business opportunities for his estate, opportunities that in all likelihood wouldn’t have emerged had Jackson lived.

The kids are all right

That the public’s perception of Jackson has changed in a profound and positive way isn’t just a casual, anecdotal opinion. According to Brand Asset Consulting’s quarterly survey of more than 16,000 Americans, after his death, Jackson’s relevance increased 125%, and his esteem increased 32% from the previous quarter the survey was administered, prior to his passing.

The success of the film This Is It helped drive the brand forward by presenting Jackson not as a bizarre and spectral recluse, but as a talented artiste, dancer and even a workaholic.

Closer to home, the sight of 11-year-old Paris eulogising her father at the memorial service – “I just wanted to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” she said simply – helped to humanise Jackson and to counter the perception of him as a neglectful, unfit parent.

Prior to his death, only a handful of people had ever seen Jackson’s three children – Paris, now 12; Prince, 13; and Blanket, eight – and they were best-known for being covered when they were outside (or, at one point, dangled off a balcony). But now here were these grieving children who appeared polite, pleasant and normal. In interviews after his death, insiders emphasised that Jackson’s children were well cared for and well raised, and the video and photo evidence released by the family in the past year seems to bear this out.

“Anyone who had doubts about Michael’s ability as a parent, those were erased at the memorial,” says Randy Taraborrelli, a Jackson biographer who had known the star since the 1970s. “Seeing those kids gave some people a sense that they had misjudged him, that he was a good parent.”

Diane Dimond, a journalist who has covered Jackson for many years and who broke the story of the 1993 molestation allegations against the singer, says Jackson’s family is being savvy about the children’s exposure. “The family is smart to put them out there every once in a while,” she says. “The Jacksons are masters of PR, and it sends a great message to show the world these nice, normal kids.”

Jackson’s most damning scandals centred around inappropriate behaviour with children, and thus his own seemingly well-adjusted offspring serve as a sharp rebuke to the allegations of sexual abuse that plagued Jackson for much of his adult life. But the fact that Jackson was judged on his children also speaks to another issue – the feminisation of Jackson, both before and after his death.

Sarah Churchwell, author of The Many Lives Of Marilyn Monroe, says that as with Monroe, death rewrote Jackson’s story. And unlike other gone-too-soon celebrities like Elvis Presley or James Dean, Monroe and Jackson are seen as victims, unable to defend themselves against the public’s ravenous appetite for celebrity.

“Both Marilyn and Michael, and to a certain extent Princess Diana, are seen as falling prey to the manipulations of others,” she says. “They don’t really have any agency when it comes to the problems that ultimately led to their demise – no one wants to blame them for making bad decisions and mistakes, because it protects the mystique. People see them as being childlike and want to protect them.”

Churchwell adds that larger power dynamics are also at play. “If Madonna died tomorrow, the grief would be different,” she says. “She is a woman who is seen as being very powerful and in control – she’s not a tragic figure. If you are sufficiently powerful, the public doesn’t love you in the same way.”

Back in black

Of all his troubled relationships, Jackson’s most fraught might have been his connection with the African-American community. But no matter what opinions of him were before his passing, many lapsed admirers have re-embraced Jackson.

“There was a huge reservoir of goodwill among African-Americans for Michael Jackson,” says Nelson George, author of the recently releasedThriller: The Musical Life Of Michael Jackson.

“Generations of kids grew up on his music, and they felt a powerful connection to him. I think a lot of people remained fans, even after all the controversy, but they just weren’t open about it. His death unleashed a lot of positive energy and allowed people to be excited about him again.”

George says that while many African-American musicians always held Jackson in high regard, opinions began to change around the time Jackson’s face began to transform.

“People thought that it was about self-hatred,” George says. “In terms of other allegations, there was a belief that he was being railroaded by the media, and the bigger issue was really more his transformation. People felt such a powerful connection to the man he’d been when he was younger and it was hard to see that shift.”

Future revelations

Churchwell cautions that just because people are treading lightly around Jackson’s death in the year following his passing doesn’t mean he’ll get a free pass forever. “Initially, after Marilyn Monroe died, there was a sense of pity,” she says. “It took time for Marilyn to evolve into a symbol and for her reputation to change.”

One revelation that was made in the immediate wake of Jackson’s passing came in Ian Halperin’s book, Unmasked: The Final Years Of Michael Jackson. Halperin says his book is generally positive, and that his perception of Jackson changed while working on it.

“I started writing about Michael because of a parent who accused him of being inappropriate, and five years later, I changed my mind,” he says. “He was a little socially inept, sure, and he liked to play pranks, but I don’t think he ever touched kids in a perverted way.”

But it was a short section on Jackson’s sexuality that ultimately caused some to boycott the book and earned Halperin a handful of death threats. “There were some legitimate claims that Jackson had homosexual relationships with adult men,” Halperin says. “People went crazy when that came out. I doubt anyone will say anything derogatory about Michael any time soon, given how crazy his fans went when I wrote something that, honestly, isn’t even a bad thing.”

The impending trial of Jackson’s physician, Conrad Murray, on involuntary manslaughter charges might stir things up, and Taraborrelli predicts there will be “a lot of character assassination, which might be hard for fans to endure.” But the fact that Jackson is often portrayed as a victim of doctors like Murray and not as a fully willing participant in his drug addiction might be enough to shift the blame off the star.

Interest in Jackson’s quirks and proclivities will probably just fade over time, according to branding consultant Rob Frankel.

“Have you heard any new Elvis jokes in the past several years?” he asks.

Branded for life?

One question that looms large for Jackson’s estate, just as it has for the estates of Elvis Presley and John Lennon, is how to extend public goodwill and grow Jackson’s legacy while avoiding any appearance of exploitation. (Representatives for Sony Music, and for Jackson’s attorney, John Branca, declined to comment for this story.)

Adam Hanft, a marketing and branding expert and chief executive at Hanft Projects in New York, says he would give the family and the estate a C+ grade in terms of their management of the Jackson brand so far.

“The one thing they really need to do is work on continuing the emotional connection with his fans,” Hanft says. “I looked at MichaelJackson.com, and it’s just a sales platform; it’s an example of what not to do. There are so many outlets and social media platforms for fans to participate, and they need to embrace some of those.”

Hanft adds that it will take a while for mainstream brands to embrace Jackson, but it will happen eventually. “It’ll take a brand like Nike, who after all did stay with Tiger Woods, to cross Michael back into the mainstream branding community,” he says. “It’ll take someone who is a little edgy and willing to take some heat to get the ball rolling.” – Reuters

Catch these specials today: E! Remembers Michael Jackson (Astro Channel 712, 3.05pm) and Michael Jackson’s This Is It (HBO/Astro Channel 411, 9pm); and tomorrow: Michael Jackson Remembered(MTV/Astro Channel 713, 2pm).

I am watching with amaze how some fan of his, will be willing to spend tons of money to follow up with the happenings even after his death. Michael Jackson will remain in the memory of many.

Millioaire ARTISTS

2010-06-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

Harian Metro reported about SIX popular and rich artistes. They are Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Norman Abdul Halim (popularly known as Norman KRU), Mizal Zaini (AC Mizal), Rosyam Nor, Asmawi Ani (Mawi) and Aznil Haji Nawawi — They can be called millionaires. These popular six had massed assets worth millions of ringgit including luxury cars and houses from their hard works in the entertainment industry.

AC Mizal, among the highest paid host-singer-actor, also runs a business under AC Konsortium with a capital injection of RM200mil.

AC Mizal, who neither denied nor admitted his millionaire status, was recently appointed director of Ikhtiar Dimensi Sdn Bhd (IDSB) aside from being a shareholder in a company with a paid-up capital of RM16mil.

Singer, composer, director and actor Norman KRU expanded his assets with the recent construction of a 15ha studio in Cyberjaya worth RM30mil. This is in addition to four companies — KRU Films, KRU Records, KRU Matrix and KRU Communications — set up together with his younger brothers Yusry and Edry.

Host, singer and actor Aznil Nawawi, or affectionately known as Pak Nil, has contracts worth millions of ringgit with Astro. Aznil, who claimed that his income was irregular and that he often delayed payments, did not regard himself a millionaire and preferred a low-profile life.
He drives a 3-series BMW and rents a house in Bukit Jalil.

Pop diva Siti Nurhaliza, who is among the highest paid artistes, has assets worth RM50mil based on album sales, cash prizes from several prestigious awards, performances and also income from being ambassador for various products including Maybelline and Olay.

Berita Harian highlighted a recent survey by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) revealing that more than 300 Malay youths in rural and urban areas aged between 13 and 25 admitting to practising free sex.Some of them even went for abortions. From those interviewed, 85% said they had no regrets over what they had done, but instead described their experience as “thrilling”.

They also said they had adequate religious education. These can symptoms of the worst to come.

Tersasar memanagi anuggerah Skrin 2009

2010-06-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

ERMA Fatima’s drama Tersasar Di Jalanmu menerima award yang terbanyak di Anugerah Skrin 2009 .

Filem tersebut telah menggondul enam awards didalam kategori TV, direktor terbaik, drama terbaik, pelakun terbaik dan juga pelakun supporting terbaik untuk drama.

Grand tribute: Jaclyn Victor won the first ever Anugerah Yasmin Ahmad.

Tersasar Di Jalanmu, di tulis oleh Erma, 41, menceritakan kehidupan di lorong gelap Lorong Haji Taib in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, dengan masaalah insan seperti dadah, pelacuran dan masaalah sosial yang lain. Ia juga memenagi anugerah videography dan TV screenplay terbaik.

Dan didalam ketegori drama, Que Haidar telah memenangi sebagai pelakun terbaik didalam drama Terlerai Takbir Kasih dan pelakun the best supporting actor kepada Ahmad Tamimi Siregar didalam Tak Serupa Tapi Sama.

Sebuah drama popular di arah oleh Kabir Bhatia, Kekasihku Seru, memenangi drama terbaik dan komidi terbaik kepda Datin Wan Abe.

Meanwhile, the movie, Wayang, topped with four major awards in the film category including best film, best actor (Eman Manan), and best supporting actor (Zul Huzaimy). The director of Wayang, Dr Hatta Azad Khan, was also awarded best director in the film category.

Young and talented Liyana Jasmay won best actress (film) for her role inKami The Movie.

Malaysian idol Jaclyn Victor won the first ever Anugerah Yasmin Ahmad, named after the late director for her contributions to the industry. The award recognises potential newcomers.

Victor won the award for her memorable performance in Talentime, Yasmin’s last movie.

Bertemakan Malam Arabian Night dan di hostkan oleh Shauki and Fara Fauzana, Anugerah Skrin 2009 diadakan di t Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, dan ditayang terus oleh TV3.

Senarai Pemenang

Greatly touched: Erma Fatima with one of three awards she won for her drama, Tersasar Di Jalanmu, at the Anugerah Skrin 2009 at Putra World Trade Centre last Friday.

TV drama

> Best Drama - Tersasar Di Jalanmu

> Best Actor – Que Haidar (Terlerai Takbir Kasih)

> Best Actress – Rosnah Mat Aris (Tersasar Di Jalanmu)

> Best Supporting Actor – Ahmad Tarmimi Siregar (Tak Serupa Tapi Sama)

> Best Supporting Actress – Norish Ismail (Tersasar Di Jalanmu)

> Best Director – Erma Fatima (Tersasar Di Jalanmu)

> Best TV Screenplay – Erma Fatima (Tersasar Di Jalanmu)

> Best Drama Series – Kekasihku Seru

> Best Comedy Series – Datin Wan Abe

> Best Videography – Tersasar Di Jalanmu

Film

> Best Film – Wayang

> Best Actor – Eman Manan (Wayang)

> Best Actress – Liyana Jasmay (Kami The Movie)

> Best Supporting Actor – Zul Huzaimy (Wayang)

> Best Supporting Actress – Ida Nerina (Susuk)

> Best Director – Dr Hatta Azad Khan (Wayang)

> Best Screenplay – Fariza Azlina Ishak (Kami The Movie)

Other productions

> Best Documentary/ Magazine Show – Majalah 3 – Gaza

> Best Talk Show – AC Di Sini (Season Five)

> Best Entertainment Show – Kemuncak Sehati Berdansa 2

> Best Musical Show – Anugerah Juara Lagu 23

> Best Reality Show – Gadis Melayu Terakhir (Season One)

> Best Report/News Show – Buletin Utama – Air Najis

Siti Nurhaliza at Rompin

2010-06-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

Siti Nurhaliza, the popular singer from Pahang is back to her state to entertain 3000 visitors who attended the Rompin Festival. The Festival was held at Pantai Hiburan, a appropriate name of the beach for the occasion.

Rompin, is a quite small town at the east coast of Pahang. Known for the Rompin National Park and the MP, Datuk JJ who initiated the controversial and very expensive project to send Malaysian into the Russian Space ship. It is not known whether any benefits are realised.

Although the weather was very hot, it did not stop the crowd from gathering at the main stage to see in person the popular Malaysian pop queen performing a near full-hour show, without back-up dancers nor singers.

voice of gold- Siti Nurhaliza singing with the children weaving at he crowd at Rompin Fest 2010.

The children, when asked were very happy to share the stage with Siti and sang along with her as she sang Aku Cinta Pada Mu andDestinasi Cinta.

She started her performance with Joget Pahang, dancing to the beat provided by the enthusiastic crowd as they clapped.

Among her other numbers were Biarlah Rahsia and the most popular Ku Mahu which was the theme song in the TV3 serial, Spa Q.

In the audience was Rompin MP Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis, who fly all the way from USA to launch the festival earlier. He is also the Malaysian ambassador to the United States, a new position specially created with undisclosed budget to help manage the images.

Others present were Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Maznah Mazlan, who is also Muadzam Shah assemblywoman, Tioman assemblyman Datuk Mohd Johari Hussain and Siti’s husband Datuk Seri Khalid Mohd Jiwa.

Let the show begin: (From left) Siti Nurhaliza, Khalid, Dr Jamaluddin and Maznah holding the Jalur Gemilang during the opening of the Rompin Festival in Pantai Hiburan, Rompin.

Siti Nurhaliza was the main attraction to draw the crown to the week-long “Rompin Fest”.

Mawi is busy behind thescene

2010-06-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

AKSI Mawi mengenakan dua orang tetamu wanita pada persembahan Tea With Mothers: Colours of Roses yang berlangsung di Hotel JW Marriott, Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.

Although many had commented that the popularity of Mawi had dwindled down , but Mawi himself did not think so. He did not see it as a hindrance for him to move forward.

Mawi took the principle that life will have to move on, despite whatever problem that may have to be face. He is grateful that the demand for stage show is still a lot, although not as many as before.

Segala tanggapan dan persepsi masyarakat terhadap dirinya ditelan biarpun ada kalanya pahit terutama apabila memikirkan kata-kata kesat dan nista dilemparkan kepadanya.
Berkali-kali juga Mawi sudah menjelaskan sebelum ini, soal populariti bukanlah agenda utama yang dicari sebaik sahaja dia melangkahkan kaki ke bidang seni.
"Sejak menjadi artis, saya sering mengingatkan diri saya bahawa tidak selama-lamanya saya akan terus berada di atas.
"Saya bersyukur dengan segala rezeki yang diberikan kepada saya selama ini dan apa yang penting adalah untuk saya meneruskan kehidupan.
"Apa yang membahagiakan, kini saya mempunyai masa terluang untuk melakukan pelbagai aktiviti yang selama ini tidak sempat saya lakukan," luahnya penuh jujur.
Mawi berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas persembahannya sempena Hari Ibu, Tea With Mothers: Colours of Roses yang berlangsung di Hotel JW Marriott, Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.
Selain Mawi dan beberapa artis undangan lain seperti Heliza, Hyrul dan Zahid, persembahan anjuran Al-Najwa Productions Sdn. Bhd., itu turut menampilkan penghibur terkemuka negara, Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim sebagai bintang utama.
Dalam persembahan itu, Mawi telah menghiburkan tetamu dengan lagu-lagu seperti Allah Habeebi dan Ayah (liriknya ditukar kepada ibu bagi menepati tema persembahan).
Malah, Mawi turut berduet untuk dua lagu bersama juara Akademi Fantasia musim kedua, Zahid menerusi lagu Sujud dan Tak Mungkin Berpaling.
Menyambung bicara, pemilik nama penuh Asmawi Ani ini memberitahu walaupun pada zahirnya, masyarakat melihat dirinya kurang aktif seperti dulu, hakikatnya jelas Mawi, dia tetap sibuk dengan agenda seninya.
Keutamaannya sekarang ini adalah kepada syarikat produksinya, MW Entertainment Sdn. Bhd., yang kini bergiat aktif dalam menerbitkan drama.
Biarpun baru setahun jagung dalam bidang penerbitan drama, Mawi ternyata gembira dan bersyukur kerana syarikatnya itu terus mendapat kepercayaan stesen televisyen terutamanya Astro.
"Inilah yang dinamakan rezeki dan saya pun kini sedang berjinak-jinak dalam bidang penulisan skrip.
"Ada masa terluang, peluang itu saya ambil untuk kembangkan bakat seni saya dan setidak-tidaknya ada juga hasilnya daripada duduk diam di rumah tanpa membuat apa-apa," katanya berseloroh.
Peminat setia Mawi akan dapat melihat hasil tulisannya apabila skrip pertamanya itu akan dizahirkan menjadi sebuah drama kelak.
Masihkah anda ingat pada kisah seorang remaja autisme yang mengembara dari Klang, Selangor ke Kulai, Johor semata-mata mahu bertemu dengan Mawi?
Kisah itulah yang diambil oleh Mawi untuk dizahirkan menjadi sebuah drama dengan menggunakan judul Pak Nil, Ibu Kirim Salam yang akan ditayangkan di Astro Prima (saluran 105, Astro) sempena Syawal akan datang.
Sudah pun menjalani penggambaran sejak 10 Jun lalu dan berakhir 18 Jun ini, drama bercorak semi komedi itu menampilkan pengacara nombor satu negara, Aznil Nawawi sebagai teraju utama.
Watak remaja lembam pula akan dibawakan oleh Muhammad Nizamudin Ahmad atau lebih dikenali sebagai Along dari kumpulan Cham selain pelakon lain seperti Diana Danielle, Zamani (vokalis kumpulan Slam), Razak Ahmad dan Corrie Lee.
Tentang perkembangan nyanyian pula, pelantun lagu Aduh Saliha ini baru sahaja menjalani rakaman lagu Hikmah Seruan Nami.
Lagu yang dicipta oleh seorang komposer Cina bernama Hudson itu akan menjadi lagu tema drama bersiri Panggilan Nami yang juga merupakan terbitan syarikat Mawi.
"Memang mencabar sungguh merakamkan lagu ini kerana lagunya berbeza daripada apa yang pernah saya bawakan sebelum ini" katanya ringkas.
Dalam masa yang sama, Mawi turut mengkhabarkan muzik video lagu Tak Mungkin Berpalingyang dinyanyikan secara duet bersama Zamani akan ditayangkan tidak lama lagi.

Mila Started Her Social Work

2010-06-12T17:38:00.000-07:00

When asked what made her decide to embark on the social work activities, Mila quickly gave her version of the answer... there had been a rampant case of baby's abuses. You can read it in the pape

Mila is the Akademi Fantasia's winner for the fifth session, she had been actively involved in social work activities to make sure that the practices of baby's abuse continue. For this purpose she is hosting an episode in the progam... Zuriat Kita or Our Sons and Daughters, that was aired by channel 106 Astro.

Katanya, program tersebut menyentuh tentang kes-kes remaja yang membuang bayi.

"Kita buat perbincangan untuk menasihatkan para remaja supaya jangan membuang bayi.

"Kalau remaja-remaja kat luar boleh dengar apa yang diperkatakan, pasti Mila gembira," katanya kepada mStar Online ketika ditemui pada Bola Fever Bersama Media 2010 anjuran stesen radio, SuriaFM dan RedFM.

Selain program Zuriat Kita, pemilik nama sebenar Norsyamilla Jirin ini turut menyertai kempen I Know anjuran Cortex Malaysia yang bertujuan membendung kes pembuangan bayi.

Bagi remaja yang sudah terlanjur sehingga mengandung atau melahirkan anak luar nikah, dia menasihatkan mereka supaya jangan mengambil keputusan drastik.

"Cuba cari jalan penyelesaian. Sekarang kerajaan pun ada buat Talian Nur, di mana mereka boleh telefon untuk meminta bantuan.

"Jangan sesekali bertindak melulu dengan membuang atau membunuh bayi yang tidak berdosa itu," katanya yang baru dilantik sebagai Duta Mummy Sllrrp dan Duta Clenx Tea.

Mengenai perkembangan terkininya, single terbaru Mila berjudul Kata Hati Mila (komposer Ajai/penulis lirik Sheikh Kalam) akan dikeluarkan tidak lama lagi.

Katanya, ia belum dilancarkan kerana masih menantikan pembikinan muat turun nada dering berwarna.

Mila is working hard on her second album with MJ Panacea Records, her own company. It work is about 20@completed, and materials are already acquired and available and the recording process is on the way.

2010-06-07T07:59:00.000-07:00

Siti akan membuat persembahan di majlis Taib Mahmud

Story and photo by ZORA CHAN V Saturday May 22, 2010 sarawakstar@thestar.com.my

Penyanyi pertama Malaysia Datuk Siti Nurhaliza akan membuat persembahan di Malam Setia Kasih, YAB Pehin Sri Bersama RTM pada 8 June khusus untuk majlis anniversary 25 tahun Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

RTM Sarawak akan menganjurkan majlis sempena 25th anniversary dan akan menyumbang untuk menjayakan department’s programmes, terutama debate Pertandingan Bahas Piala Ketua Menteri Sarawak, Bintang P. Ramlee and Bintang Kecil.
The department’s broadcasting assistant director and event adviser Monshi Abdullah said the event would be held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

Ready for sale: Monshi (left) handing over tickets for the event to Borneo Convention Centre Kuching executive director Dr Mohamadon Abdullah. Dr Don was from MAS earlier.

“We specially invited Siti as our guest artiste because she is one of the few who can sing P. Ramlee songs,” he told a press conference in Kuching yesterday. Don was known to be a fan of P Ramlee...
Monshi said, since the Chief Minister was a big P. Ramlee fan, the event would be themed Nostalgia P. Ramlee.
He said that part of the proceeds from the ticket sales would be donated to several charitable organisations.
Dinner tables are being sold at RM5,000, RM3,000 and RM2,000 each while seats in the audience gallery cost RM100 per person. Each ticket buyer is entitled to a copy of Siti’s CD.

Untuk pertanyaan berkenaan dengan tikit sila hubungi chairman Montogomary Montahar at 013-816 7528 or secretary Zainal Abidin Sulaiman at 013-817 7992.

Shahir pengganti Mawi?

2010-06-03T16:09:00.000-07:00

Shahir pengganti Mawi?

Oleh HARYATI KARIM
haryati.karim@kosmo.com.my

TEKA-TEKI siapakah yang bakal merangkul gelaran juara Akademi Fantasia musim kelapan (AF8) bakal terjawab malam ini. Bermula daripada 12 orang peserta kini, pelajar <AF8 hanya tinggal berlima apabila Ain menjadi pelajar terakhir disingkirkan daripada program itu pada minggu kesembilan.

Penyingkiran Ain, meletakkannya bersama barisan pelajar yang telah tersingkir iaitu Zafarina Jamhari (Farina), Nadia Emilia Roselan (Nad), Muhammad Alid Kadim (Alif), Dayang Nor Anum Arjuna Aharun (Anum) Ema Suhaimi (Ema) dan Muhammed Shahril Mohd. Salleh Hussein (Shah).

Didominasi oleh empat peserta lelaki Ahmad Shahir Zawawi (Shahir), Muhd. Shahril Firdaus Eli (Daus), Emirza Azwan Zulazrin Chew (Iwan) dan Muhd Firdaus Maulana Mohamed (Maulana) dan pelajar dari Ranau, Sabah, Siti Adira Suhaimi (Adira) menjadi satu-satunya peserta wanita yang bakal bersaing pada final AF8.

Mampukah Adira melawan penguasaan lelaki dan meraih undi dengan vokal serta kelembutan wajahnya? Jika dinilai daripada segi bakat, Adira tiada kurangnya. Dia mampu menyanyi dengan baik dan persembahannya agak konsisten berbanding pelajar yang lain.

LIMA finalis bakal berentap pada final AF8 (dari kiri), Maulana, Iwan, Shahir, Daus dan Adira.

Masih teringat alunan vokalnya ketika menyanyikan lagu asli yang benar-benar cocok dengan dirinya. Waktu itu, penonton dan juri tergamam dek persembahannya yang memukau walaupun juri tetap Adlin Aman Ramlie memberi komen supaya jangan terlalu banyak bergerak di pentas sebaliknya menumpukan sepenuh perhatian terhadap lontaran vokal.

Kalau dilihat pula daripada segi pola undian, jika seluruh Sabah mengundi Adira, tidak mustahil dia akan diangkat sebagai juara wanita yang baru selepas Stacy dan Mila.

Maulana, jejaka berusia 22 tahun dan berasal dari Johor Bahru dilihat sangat sinonim dan obses dengan genre muzik jazz. Memang itulah muzik yang bakal diusungnya setelah bergelar penyanyi kelak.

Dalam konsert mingguan, Maulana juga tidak segan dan tidak jemu mendendangkan muzik jazz yang secara realitinya di Malaysia, tidak mempunyai penggemar yang ramai berbanding muzik rock, pop dan balada.

"Saya akan setia dan terus bersama muzik jazz walaupun saya tahu agak sukar untuk peminat di Malaysia menerimanya. Saya harap, saya bakal membawa satu pembaharuan dalam industri muzik selepas saya keluar daripada AF," katanya dalam satu temu ramah di belakang pentas.

Semangat kental itulah yang dipuji, meskipun belum bergelar artis rakaman, Maulana tahu apa yang diinginkan dalam kerjayanya kelak dan ia disokong oleh pengetua AF8, Norman Abdul Halim.

"Saya suka dengan pelajar yang tahu apa yang mereka inginkan daripada awal, jadi tidak sukar dan membuang masa untuk melakukan eksperimen terhadap mereka. Inilah pelapis penyanyi yang saya rasa bakal memberi satu perisa yang baru dalam industri muzik kita," ujar Norman semasa sidang media program Debaran AF8 minggu kesembilan hujung minggu lalu.

ADIRA satu-satunya peserta wanita yang berjaya ke final AF8.

Bercakap tentang Iwan dan Daus pula, walaupun kedua-dua mereka sering dikritik oleh juri tetap dan juri undangan seperti Adibah Nor yang kategorikan suara mereka pada tahap biasa-biasa sahaja tetapi jangan dipandang sebelah mata populariti mereka berdua.

Sentiasa berada di tempat yang selamat membuktikan, mereka berdua telah berjaya mengumpul asas peminat yang kukuh, meskipun Iwan sering mempunyai masalah dengan suaranya yang tidak keluar.

Jelas Norman, Iwan mempunyai pakej untuk diminati oleh remaja walaupun sepanjang AF8 berlangsung, beberapa kali Iwan mempunyai masalah sakit tekak.

Daus juga mempunyai kelompok peminat tersendiri, jejaka kelahiran, Kuching, Sarawak ini sering membawakan lagu-lagu daripada band-band popular tanah air dan luar negara.

Pada persembahannya di minggu kesembilan, Daus tetap membawakan lagu bergenre pop rock, berjudul Masa daripada band Estranged dan Mission Impossible yang dipopularkan oleh Limp Bizkit.

Bagaimanapun daripada mereka berlima kelebihan dilihat lebih berpihak kepada Shahir pelajar yang tersingkir pada minggu ketujuh dan diserap semula melalui undian AF masuk.

Pelajar kelahiran Ipoh, Perak itu mempunyai pakej yang lengkap, rupa dan suara yang baik antara penyebab pengetua AF8 meramalkan Shahir sebagai juara AF8 di samping Adira.

"Shahir menjadi pelajar kegemaran dalam AF8, lihat sahajalah sorakan penonton ketika konsert dan dalam ramai-ramai pelajar mengapa dia yang dipilih penonton untuk undian AF masuk.

"Shahir telah mempunyai peminatnya yang tersendiri, tidak kiralah bagaimana bentuk persembahnnya, dia tetap meraih sokongan yang tidak berbelah bagi daripada peminatnya," kata Norman.

SHAHIR bakal mencipta sejarah sebagai peserta AF pertama yang diundi keluar berjaya meraih juara AF, jika berjaya bergelar juara AF8.

Mungkin ada betulnya juga apa yang Norman katakan, cuba kita imbas kembali sejarah yang berlaku pada penyanyi popular Asmawi Ani atau Mawi. Dia juga pernah diundi keluar dan juga diundi masuk, seterusnya dinobatkan sebagai juara, cuma yang membezakan Shahir dan Mawi ada cerita-cerita panas yang muncul sebelum detik Mawi bergelar juara.

Menyentuh tentang persembahan pelajar di finalAF8, Norman menyerahkan segala gimik dan tarikan persembahan kepada pihak produksi.

"Tugas saya dan guru-guru lain memastikan para pelajar bersedia apabila mereka berada di atas pentas. Pemilihan lagu pula, kami akan memberi lagu yang kena dengan jiwa setiap pelajar.

"Kalau yang suka jazz kita akan bagi lagu bergenre jazz. Walaupun lagu itu sebenarnya rock atau pop, kita akan bikin lagu itu menjadi jazz, begitulah juga dengan yang lain," terang Norman lagi.

Siapakah bakal bergelar juara? Jawapannya hanya terletak di tangan pengundi. Buat peminat dan penonton yang ingin menyaksikan finalAF8 secara langsung, jangan lupa saksikan konsert akhir AF8 malam ini, 22 Mei, di Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, pukul 9 malam.

Bagi penonton yang ingin menyaksikan dari kaca televisyen, buat julung kalinya final AF akan disiarkan secara langsung menerusi teknologi High Definition (HD) di saluran 124.

TIDAK mustahil Daus mampu bergelar juara AF8 kerana segalanya mungkin.

Menurut Ketua Perniagaan Melayu Astro, Khairul Anuar Salleh, konsert akhir AF8 masih boleh ditonton menerusi saluran Astro Ria (saluran 104).

"Siaran konsert akhir AF8 mencipta sejarah apabila disiarkan menggunakan teknologi HD. Ini memberi kelebihan kepada pengguna Astro Beyond untuk menyaksikan konsert ini dengan lebih cantik dan jelas, seolah-olah mereka berada di pawagam," ujarnya.

Mizz Nina cipta nama sendiri

2010-06-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

JUJURNYA, bunga yang baru mekar ini ada gusar di dalam hati. Takut-takut yang difokuskan tentang dirinya bukan hasil kerjanya sebaliknya hal-hal peribadi.

Untuk itu, Nina sempat berpesan agar yang diuar-uarkan adalah perjalanan kerjaya yang memang diimpikannya sejak kecil.

Seperti kanak-kanak lain yang punya impian untuk terkenal apabila dewasa kelak, Nina menyimpan hasrat yang lebih daripada itu.

Bakat dan minatnya mahu dipertontonkan kepada umum. Dia kepingin benar bergelar penyanyi dan penghibur.

Apatah lagi dia membesar dengan lagu-lagu Janet Jackson yang menaikkan adrenalin.

Shazrina Azman nama sebenarnya, namun dia terbawa-bawa dengan arus hip hop yang diawali dengan menganggotai grup Teh Tarik Crew. Dia dikenali dengan nama Mizz Nina, sesuai dengan gayanya yang sentiasa tampak segar dan remaja.

Kini dia bergerak sendirian. Cita-cita untuk menghasilkan album solo sudah mula direalisasikan sejak setahun lalu.

Satu demi satu material digali dan disusun bagi membentuk sebuah album debut yang memuaskan hatinya.

Tunggu

Rezeki datang bergolek. Nina berpeluang berkolaborasi dengan penyanyi terkenal Amerika Syarikat, Colby O Donis, figura yang turut terlibat dalam pembikinan album Lady Gaga dan Akon.

What Are You Waiting For adalah harga sebuah penantian gadis berusia 30 tahun ini.

Dia dapat berkongsi lagu dan momen bersama Colby. Klip video yang diarahkan oleh Scott McCullough itu adalah antara kenangan dan pengalaman paling berharga Nina.

NINA sudah tampil dengan single dan klip video What You Waiting For dan bakal muncul dengan album Julai ini.

"Dapat bekerjasama dengan Colby membuka mata dan minda saya terhadap stail bunyi dan atmosfera baru.

"Kami merakamkan suara secara berasingan namun ini adalah satu pengalaman yang menyeronokkan," ujarnya yang banyak menghabiskan masa di Los Angeles tahun lalu.

Lalu saya tanya akan empunya diri, apa yang ditunggunya seperti tajuk lagu itu?

Nina tertawa, menjawab jujur bahawa dia menanti saat albumnya memberi ledakan kepada rakyat Malaysia bahkan komuniti antarabangsa.

"Album ini juga seperti sebuah comeback saya," ulasnya yang merasakan 2010 adalah tahun yang tepat untuk dia menyinar.

Album penuh Nina bakal dilancarkan Julai ini sempena bulan kelahirannya.

Album berisi 14 buah lagu itu adalah hadiah terbaik untuk peminat dan mereka yang baru mahu berjinak-jinak dengan suara dan diri Nina.

Saya tanya lagi jika dia selesa menyanyikan lagu berbahasa Melayu, jujurnya dia menjawab 'tidak' namun itulah cabaran yang disahutnya.

"Sebanyak lima buah lagu Melayu tersenarai dalam album ini.

"Sebenarnya saya tidak bersedia untuk muncul sebelum ini. 2010 adalah tahun terbaik.

"Saya turut meletakkan harapan agar semua material dalam album ini dapat diterima.

Bapa

"Saya tahu ada tiga kategori pendengar di negara ini - yang suka, yang rasa okey dan yang benci. Namun, saya sudah bersedia sepenuhnya.

"Setakat ini respons terhadap single pertama adalah positif. Penting juga untuk membuktikan anak Malaysia boleh melakukan sesuatu di luar negara," tegas dan laju dia bersuara menunjukkan sisi seorang deejay Fly FM yang dikendongnya.

DIRINYA diberi julukan The Rapping Daughter.

Bagaimanapun, pembikinan lagu dan klip video di Amerika itu mengundang pandangan skeptikal. Nina anak jutawan, jadi dia boleh buat apa yang dia mahukan, begitu ujar orang luar.

Nina diam namun setelah itu menjawab rasional dan menyatakan dia tidak ambil pusing akan pandangan tersebut.

"Sekurang-kurangnya saya melakukan sesuatu untuk hidup saya.

"Paling penting adalah merealisasikan impian saya," ujar anak bongsu Pengerusi Kumpulan AmBank Berhad, Tan Sri Azman Hashim ini.

Dia juga mahu membuktikan bahawa dia sama seperti wanita di luar sana yang ada semangat indipenden yang membara.

Mungkin tuah yang membezakan dirinya tapi itu bukanlah sebab untuk dia bersenang-lenang.

"Itu juga sebenarnya satu cabaran. Saya mahu memperkenalkan nama saya sendiri tetapi berdiri dengan nama Nina bukan mudah.

"Apabila anda anak seseorang, sama ada orang mahu mempergunakan anda atau memerhati sahaja, apa yang boleh anda lakukan?" luah si manis yang yakin dirinya ialah seorang wanita yang boleh hidup berdikari.

Bunga hati keluarga ini kini turut mekar di hati seseorang. Melihat secara kasar, hubungan Nina dengan vokalis terkenal grup Hujan, Noh lebih diperkatakan umum hingga sedikit menutup cerita karier nyanyiannya.

Realitinya, hubungan ini berjalan secara simbiosis. Kedua-duanya sama-sama membantu dan menghidupkan semangat.

Umum tahu yang Noh memulakan kerjaya dengan grup M.I.X yang terbalut irama hip hop sama seperti Teh Tarik Crew yang dianggotai Nina.

Jenama

"Noh juga merupakan salah seorang komposer yang terlibat dalam album saya. Dia memberikan lagu Kurnia untuk album ini. Saya tahu ramai yang sudah maklum akan hubungan ini.

"Apa yang boleh saya katakan, dia seorang yang sangat menyokong perjalanan muzik saya.

"Kami berada dalam industri yang sama, jadi perbualan dan perbincangan kami berjalan lancar.

"Dia juga banyak memberi nasihat kepada saya," tutur Nina tidak menidakkan hubungan rapat mereka.

Namun, dia gusar jika cerita yang keluar hanya tentang hubungan itu sedangkan dia baru mahu mengukir nama sebagai penyanyi.

Dia mahu khalayak tahu bahawa Noh dan dirinya sama-sama berjuang dan membantu dalam perjalanan seni masing-masing.

Jujurnya juga dia penggemar produk-produk Hujan dan 'bahu' untuk Noh mengadu itu dan ini.

"Yang penting sekarang khalayak fokus tentang material dan kerjaya saya.

"Saya berdebar-debar menunggu bulan Julai. Album dan jenama pakaian saya bakal dilancarkan serentak. Itu fokus utama saya.

"Saya turut mengadakan latihan koreografi dengan Marcus bagi memastikan gerak tari saya lancar. Nantikan kemunculan Mizz Nina Julai ini," tegasnya.

Jika ayahnya digelar 'The Singing Banker', maka dua bulan lagi anda harus tunggu kemunculan 'The Rapping Daughter' pula. Itu gelaran Nina untuk dirinya.

Zee Avi

2010-05-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

The past weeks have been a turbulent ride for Malaysian singer-songwriter Zee Avi, but the petite Sarawakian has weathered the storm and cleared the air somewhat.

FOR the past two months, life has been a roller coaster ride for US-based, Sarawakian-born singer Zee Avi. When she returned to Kuala Lumpur last March for a concert, never ever did she imagine ending up in a series of controversies.

The reason? Well, it was reported she was rude, arrogant and difficult. A few Malay dailies said Zee (born Izyan Alirahman) refused to communicate in Bahasa Malaysia and insisted on speaking in English instead during a press conference.

There was talk that she turned down round-table interviews due to her “busy schedule” and appeared bossy.

Focused: ‘In this business, when you are put in the public eye, people wish different things. What matters is, I have a lot of support from people who understand where I’m coming from,’ says Zee Avi. – DARRAN TAN/The Star

Perhaps this entire ugly episode was sparked off by an introductory write-up on her website, zeeavi.com, which states that she comes from “the birthplace of Borneo, an ancient island east of Malaysia” instead of Sarawak. Patriotic souls would have assumed Zee had forgotten her roots after striking it big overseas.
Let’s look at it from a bigger picture – geographically, Sabah and Sarawak do occupy about 26% of Borneo island, so Zee didn’t quite commit a cardinal sin. Maybe Zee had mentioned Borneo instead of her birthplace, Miri, Sarawak, as she assumed most people (across the globe) are more familiar with the island Borneo, famed for Mount Kinabalu, its rich bio-diversity and cave systems. (For the record, the third paragraph of her bio states she was born in the tiny town of Miri in Sarawak.)

“I don’t know how I sparked off a controversy. The weirdest thing is I have always answered in Bahasa Malaysia with the Malay media.

“During my recent press conference, I wanted to standardise everything in English as most of the media at the event were from the English dailies. But of course, I spoke Bahasa Malaysia to those from the Malay media,” said the petite 24-year-old during an exclusive interview at The Star’s Studio V in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, on Wednesday.

She reckoned her unwillingness to divulge too much about her personal life could have added fuel to the burning flame.

“Their questions included if I was involved in a relationship or sama ada saya dilamun cinta (if I was in love). I brushed it off and mentioned that I wanted to talk about my album and music. I guess they didn’t respond too well to that,” said Zee, shaking her head in dismay.

Perhaps Zee is the target of criticism because she doesn’t quite fit the bill as a Malay mainstream music artiste. Plus, she doesn’t quite personify the look (and feel) of local Malay singers (think: Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Yuna or Misha Omar).

During this interview, Zee was warm, friendly and didn’t come across as an egoistic or arrogant singer as reported. She spoke in Manglish and seemed focused on her singing career and life in general. After having a decent chat with her for over half an hour, this writer felt sorry that she’s been receiving negative criticism these past few weeks.

Zee was discovered on YouTube and was picked up by surfer dude singer-songwriter Jack Johnson’s music label, Brushfire Records. Currently based in Brooklyn, New York, Zee has put Malaysia on the map with her own brand of folk music.

She has done so by having a series of tours in the United States and played at big-name festivals including Bonnaroo (an annual music festival held in Manchester, Tennessee), Street Scene in San Diego and the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in San Francisco, as well as Singapore and Taiwan.

She has also toured with renowned singer-songwriter Pete Yorn and will tour with Johnson come October. In July, she will be part of the Lilith Fair tour in the US.

Last year, she released her self-titled debut album, which the Associated Press ranked ninth best of the year. The album, which has sold over 10,000 copies here, boasts popular songs like Kantoi, Honey Bee andBitter Heart.

When this writer questioned her about rumours that she had demanded RM1.2mil for performing at the recent Anugerah Industri Muzik 17, she looked dumbfounded.

“What? RM1.2mil? That’s insane. If I had received RM1.2mil, I’d be driving a fancy car and would have my hair set every day. People need to understand that I am an independent artiste. I’m an orang seni(artiste) and I’m not used to receiving brickbats for something blown out of proportion,” said Zee, whose family resides in Ampang, KL.

There was a sense of disappointment as she spoke about the negative publicity levied at her by fellow Malaysians.

“It’s disheartening coming from my home ground. Whatever happened was petty and unnecessary. I’ve done a string of interviews with foreign press and this is my first encounter of this kind. The saddest bit is it’s done by people from my own country,” she said, as tears welled up in her eyes.

Despite it all, this young lady seems to have her head firmly on her shoulders and quickly pointed out that negative criticism is part and parcel of being an artiste.

“I keep reminding myself this comes hand-in-hand with being in the recording industry. In this business, when you are put in the public eye, people wish different things. What matters is, I have a lot of support from people who understand where I’m coming from.

“I believe people constantly evolve, so we need to undergo different parts of the evolution process. Sometimes, there are bad times, but one should learn to be wiser (even if it knocks you off your stride). At the end of the day, I want my fans to know I haven’t forgotten my roots and am proud to be Malaysian,” said Zee, the elder of two siblings.

Zee’s debut album has further fuelled her passion to work on her second album, slated for release early next year. The album sounds exciting as she plans to revive Malay songs from the 1960s era while incorporating local instruments (sape and gambus).

“I’m planning to give it a twist by reviving P. Ramlee’s Getaran Jiwa and songs from the pop yeh-yeh era. There are plans to incorporate folk music, like keroncong, in some of my songs. I hope to work with legendary songwriter Dr Wan Zawawi because he’s one of the best music arrangers in the business. He has worked with some of the best people in the industry,” said Zee, who plans to begin recording her album sometime towards the end of the year.

According to her, the album would be more in-depth, and feature more songs written for the piano, guitar and ukelele – instruments she plays.

“The next album will have more depth in terms of mood and tone of songs. I’ve written a series of songs and I’m still trying to decide on the feel of the album.”

For more details on Zee Avi, browse zeeavi.com.

Watch The Star Online’s interview with Zee Avi athttp://thestaronline.tv/v/5603

Ramli sarip

2010-05-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

Friday May 14, 2010

Pure passion

This posting is extracted from a local newspaper, the star

By NANTHA KUMAR
entertainment@thestar.com.my

Ramli Sarip turned his first major concert of the year into a lesson on the history of rock.

The people in the cheaper seats clap your hands. And the rest of you, just rattle your jewelry,” was John Lennon’s snide swipe at upper class patrons during the Beatles’ famous gig in late 1963 before Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Variety Performance in London.

More than several members of the audience for Ramli Sarip’s Tafsiran Alam (Wisdom Of Nature) concert at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) on Monday night must have felt the same way about being stuck with a stiff crowd (and rules) when they found themselves in a bind over the KL venue’s dress code.

At the DFP, a “smart casual” night meant you could ditch the jacket, but proper attire (a shirt!) and (strictly) no jeans was still the order of the day.

Bring the funk: Ramli Sarip (right) blazing the tracks with saxophonist Jimmy on the first night of the rock legend’s Dewan Filharmonik Petronas concert series. – Pictures courtesy of Impress Creative & Editorial / Rasamusic

If you did the math, veteran rocker Ramli’s debut show at the DFP was bound to attract rock fans (who lived by jeans) and there was no denying that some of the crowd, despite their designer denim, looked quite sharp for the swank venue.

Certainly, this wasn’t a casual setting like No Black Tie in KL which Ramli packed out late last year.

Under the circumstances, some of Ramli’s followers who were judged to look “too casual” were asked to swap their denims with standard issue DFP black pants. This reviewer’s black jeans too failed DFP’s soaring sartorial standards – and how we all wished Ramli would do a “Lennon” for the rock masses in the hall. He obliged.

Censorship of appearance and that of the mind are subjects close to Ramli: it has to do with his music and his person. When he remarked – inthat quietly sardonic style of his – that “(biar) rambut panjang dan berfikiran panjang” it summed up not only his vocation but also the ludicrous prejudices that rock has had to endure here.

Clad in a white shirt and denim, Ramli’s almost three-hour show was replete with pointers in the evolution of rock and its full maturing in the 1980s via arguably its most influential advocate.

Kamelia, the breakout song for Ramli and his Sweet Charity band in 1980, is one that encapsulates the ties that bind the region’s Malay Diaspora.

My back pages: Ramli Sarip, in jeans, impressing the audience with his soulful rendition of familiar tunes.

It was conceived by Indonesia’s pop poet Ebiet G. Ade, popularised by a Singaporean band and given the mass support that eventually helped birth Malay rock in Malaysia.

Kamelia – delivered by Ramli with singalong support from the crowd in a virtually packed hall – had the nusantara (regional) stamp on it long before it was a marketing gimmick.

One of the most consistent qualities of Ramli is his longing for knowledge and quest for the unknown. This led to the parting of ways with Sweet Charity in 1985 and this separation also marked the transition of the music.

For the early day Ramli followers in the hall, classic ballads such asTeratai, Jikalau Berkasih, Istilah Bercinta and Ku Di Halaman Rindusatiated their craving for a slice of the old that vaulted him as a troubadour of pain.

As an added attraction, folk crooner Andre Goh was a special guest on the night, helping Ramli out with a brace of roots-based tunes, Lagu Zaman and Mas Merah.

Above all, faith has also been a constant presence in Ramli’s works. It is grossly unjust to assume that spirituality had only emerged late in his life or post-Keliru.

In the mid-1980s, homegrown rock was purging its Western sensibilities and embracing a robust return-to-roots approach. Ramli was at the forefront of these changes despite remaining in the background as producer and arranger.

He honed Lefthanded’s Seruan (1987) and, on Monday night, he rendered the title track with slick fretwork and frenetic pounding from local guitar god Man Kidal and drummer Mohd Nordin Anuar aka Tom – two former members of Lefthanded.

A love for fellow humans and the Creator have always had a unique place in the Ramli repertoire. It was fitting that funds from this concert were channeled to Muslim Aid, founded by Yusuf Islam, the British singer formerly known as Cat Stevens.

His last studio album, Kalam Kesturi, offered a more reflective Ramli and one cut from this 2002 effort, Qhasidah Kampungan, made it to the evening’s selection.

Perhaps, this is why Ramli is raucously apolitical while managing to remain silently defiant. His songs aspire toward humanity, often cajoling us to connect with him and believe in such essentials as preserving our love for peace and nature.

There is no deceit in Ramli’s urging as they are part of him as much as his music: humble soul with a nod to the Man above, persuasive without being off-putting and brutally original.

In his day, Ramli is capable of marauding performances. This is not to say that the singer has lost his magic – far from it – but the DFP was a risky choice to showcase the talent and versatility of such a towering figure of the music industry.

Ramli needs the type of energising vibe that can only be provided by throngs that appreciate the harder edges of his music as well as his simmer-down specials.

The DFP was prosaic and it was not that the jewelry rattlers in the boxes were not in the mood for a rocking good time. Most of them soaked it all up, sung the lines when prompted and made the appropriate hand gestures. It was just that the majority in the hall were waiting for Papa Rock to break out of his shell!

But this, remember, was DFP and not Danga Bay (in Johor), where Ramli performed to the roaring gratitude of the masses almost three weeks ago.

There was the usual banter with his fans, the familiar jocularity and fake taunts – “Kamu suka rock?!” aimed at the occupants of the corporate boxes.

At the end of his 20-song concert, he asked his 17-men back-up group to join him in acknowledging the standing ovation and the gathering received the obligatory encore (Istilah Bercinta and Teratai).

Ramli had performed his concert must-haves such as Lagu Zaman, Syair Laila Majnun and Bukan Kerana Nama – which managed to raise the goosebumps with each rendition and each passing year – through the aficionados before him and, on the strength of that list, deserved the warmest of applause.