#Showbiz: Formidable contenders at upcoming AJL34

PHYSICALLY, they are the smallest of the 12 artistes who are competing in Anugerah Juara Lagu 34 (AJL 34) on Feb 9. But Aina Abdul, 27, and Ernie Zakri, 28, are certainly no “pushovers” in the TV3’s annual song contest.

Ernie, together with her popular duet partner Syamel Fodzly, bagged Best Vocals for their hit song Aku Cinta in AJL 32.

And even though AJL 34 is Aina’s debut in the annual show, she has greatly impressed fans with her strong and soulful voice, not to mention her steely determination.

Aina finished second in reality talent show Mentor Legend 2014, as the protege of rock queen Ella, and after a brief bout with depression, she bounced back with a vengeance and earned a place in AJL 34 with her own song Sumpah.

Currently doing her final year of a music degree course at UCSI University in Cheras, the Seremban-born artiste is honoured to “compete against the best” in AJL 34.

“I’ve met all of my competitors over the last six years and I greatly admire them. They’re my seniors in the industry, and some of them have guided me during and after my days in Mentor Legend — Ernie, Akim, Hazama, Aepul and Aman RA,” she said at a press conference to announce the artistes and co-hosts of AJL 34, at De.Wan 1958 By Chef Wan Restaurant in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur recently.

Aina, who represented Malaysia in the World Championship Of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 2014 and won Vocalist Of The World category, is best known for her singles Ini Yang Kau Mahu, Shadow, Ribut Hati and Ghost.

Besides singing, she has also acted in the drama series Seindah Takdir Cinta on TV3 in 2016. A fan of American singer Janelle Monae, Aina is marking her “musical comeback” after giving “100 per cent focus” on her studies for two years.

“I’m hardly on social media but that’s the way I like it. I’d rather be remembered for my music first and foremost. It’s always been my aim to succeed as a singer, songwriter and composer,” she said.

Aina Abdul. NSTP/HALIMATON SAADIAH SULAIMAN

Aina added that keeping healthy was the most important thing in her preparations for the big day.

“One of my teachers, Datuk Syafinaz Selamat, has always stressed this. So I’m following her advice to stay healthy and strong in the run-up to AJL 34.”

When asked about Netizens who dubbed her the “dark horse” in the competition, Aina said she saw AJL 34 as a “friendly match” and even if she did not win, she was happy to be selected for the finals.

“As Ernie told me, we are all winners since we have all made it to the final 12 of Muzik Muzik last year,” she said.

“Even though we vocalists play a major role in a song’s victory, AJL is more about team work between the singers, composers and lyricists. The main awards are for the songs.”

Ernie, who is marking her second AJL, said her goal this time was to “give her best”.

“Being a mentor in last year’s Mentor Milenia has helped me get into the shoes of the composer and lyricist whom I work with. Mentoring two proteges in the show has taught me how to guide others musically and help them prepare for a great weekly performance,” she said.

Ernie is performing her first solo number in AJL, Ku Bersuara, which is co-written and co-composed by Syamel, Omar K, Blaine Bakri and John Jeevasingham.

“This is a song that is close to my heart. It is about asserting yourself, standing up for your rights and being true to yourself,” she said.

Ernie has just come up with her first self-penned single, Gundah, which is composed by Sharon Paul. Written in 2016, it was released on Jan 1. “This is a good start for 2020. I plan to gradually increase my output of self-penned songs.”

Ernie Zakri. NSTP/HALIMATON SAADIAH SULAIMAN

MAKING COMEBACKS

Sarawakian vocal powerhouse Bob Yusof is delighted to be back in AJL, having last performed Kasih Tercipta in AJL 22 in 2008.

“It’s actually my third AJL. I first sang Hantaran Hati with Aspalela Abdullah in AJL 21. Kasih Tercipta was originally sung by Faizal Tahir, and I was honoured that he chose me to perform his song.

“This time, I’m delighted to be singing a Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza song for the first time, but I’m also a little nervous because she is the country’s No. 1 artiste and that means I’ve got to deliver it with gusto,” said Bob.

Fortunately, Siti told Bob to sing her hit Anta Permana “his way” and not be too worried about it. “Siti told me to make the song my own, likewise its composers and lyricists Hael Husaini and Ezra Kong. The pressure is on me to live up to fan expectations but I believe I can do it, by rehearsing well and taking good care of my health over the next month,” he said.

Bob’s fellow Sarawakian Hafiz Suip is marking his return to AJL after becoming a father to 3-year-old Mohamad Riyadh Hafiz in 2017.

“That very year when Riyadh was born, I sang Terimaku Seadanya with Misha Omar, and that song was specially for him. This time I have Kisah Cinta Kita, which is specially for my next baby, due in March,” he said.

Hafiz added that he had “90 per cent recovered” from a slipped disc which he sustained during a futsal game in 2015. “I’ve been doing gym training weekly for the whole of last year and I feel physically and mentally fitter than ever. I’m determined to go all out entertaining fans after a two-year hiatus, so I promise them a blast!”

Kisah Cinta Kita, which comes with a music video featuring Hafiz and his wife Effy Jasreel Abdullah, is written by Datuk A. Aida and composed by Ikhwan Fatanna and Ayden Ali.

Hazama Azmi, a regular in AJL for the last seven years, hopes to see more of his self-penned and self-composed songs make it to the annual show. “I’m glad that I had my first self-penned song, Bunga, performed by my fellow Akademi Fantasia graduate Ara Johari, win second prize in AJL 33. I’ve yet to win for any song performed by myself, but there’s always a fighting chance this year,” he said.

Hazama prefers to perform songs written and composed by his seniors in the industry because he wants to “learn from the best”.

“I have always believed that I must sing what is written by musicians who are more experienced than me.

As for songs that I write or compose, it is always better to share them with my juniors. This way, my seniors help me grow musically, while I help my juniors grow musically,” said Hazama, who will perform with his own band The Penglipurlara.

Hazama and his band will perform Peneman, which is written and composed by Tam of Spider, one of his rock idols.

MUSICAL DIVERSITY

AJL34’s executive producer Nurhul Huda Khalid said that the show’s theme Warna-Warna Suara highlighted the diversity of musical genres in the Malaysian entertainment.

“Good music does not depend on the genre, every genre has great songs, great singers and great composers. If the music world is a rainbow, the various genres of music in it are the colours of the spectrum,” she said.

“For each performer, there will be a colour in the backdrop to represent his or her voice. For instance, red will represent an aggressive rocker’s voice, while blue will represent a soulful voice, and magenta or pink a sweet and melodious voice.”

She added that the performers will dress up in bright and vibrant colours, which match their respective genres. “A concert that is physically colourful lifts up the spirits of the audiences and gives them a musical joyride all the way.”

She also encouraged fans of the finalists to dress up in vibrant colours in line with AJL 34’s theme.

TRIO OF HOSTS

AJL 34, which is sponsored by McDonald’s, will be broadcast live on TV3 from the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur at 9pm on Feb 9. Co-hosting the show will be Sherry Alhadad, Haziq Hussni and Awal Ashaari.

Awal said it was “great” to return to AJL, having hosted the show more than a decade ago.

“I’m honoured to fill in the shoes of Alif Satar, whom I first met in One In A Million in 2006. He’s a fantastic host, and it’s a pity that he can’t return this year. Nevertheless, I’m delighted to share hosting duties with Sherry and Haziq since we’re all on the same wavelength.”