A HOUSEHOLD name in music and the person behind the Malay version of the Winter Sonata theme song 14 years ago, Hazami is known to collaborate with popular artistes.
Having sung with Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Aishah, Jaclyn Victor, Dayang Nurfaizah and Azharina Azhar, his current hit is the “bromantic” Kudrat, his first team-up with singer, actor and TV host Zamil Idris.
While the song celebrates friendship and brotherhood in general, it’s largely inspired by a real-life incident involving both men.
Three years ago, Hazami suddenly fell gravely ill and Zamil received an SOS on his phone and quickly rushed him to the nearest hospital.
Hazami, who describes Zamil as a “soulmate” who shares his love of R&B songs, first noticed the star of Tunku The Musical in 2004 when he was competing with Jaclyn in the first season of Malaysian Idol. Although he only finished seventh, Hazami felt that Zamil had the best voice amongst the male contestants and thoroughly enjoyed his take on Andrea Bocelli’s The Prayer.
They met several times over the years when Zamil joined RTM as the co-host of talk show Hello On Two, which ran from 2005 to 2015. Hazami made occasional guest appearances in the hour-long morning talk show to promote his latest songs in the studio.
Kudrat is their first collaboration, with Hazami and Zamil assuring fans that it will continue in the future.
They have also vowed to continue with their star-studded project, Hazami And Friends, which was first introduced in Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 29 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre in 2016. Hazami And Friends also comprises singers Sabhi Saddi, Ir Radzi, Nad Roselan, Zaidi Anuari, Sahri Sarip, Azmarul Azwan and Yuka Kharisma.
Below is an interview with the two singers, collectively known as Hazamil:
TELL US THE STORY BEHIND THE DUET
Hazami: I wrote Kudrat as tribute to Zamil and decided to sing a duet with him. It’s also to thank him for saving my life when I was ill with diverticular disease in 2015. He literally carried me to the hospital. Kudrat is about inner strength and solidarity and having the support of friends to achieve your dreams.
Zamil: In 2015, Hazami called and told me that he was unwell. He asked if I could take him to the clinic. When I reached his condominium, Hazami collapsed at the front door, saying that he was bleeding. I carried him to my car and into the hospital’s emergency unit. A few days after he was discharged, he told me that he had written a song for me.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST MEET?
Hazami: I met Zamil in 2007 on Hello On Two, RTM’s English language talk show. He interviewed me.
Zamil: We first sang together in 2008 in Istana Budaya. The following year, Hazami was my guest on Hello On Two for a second time and we gradually became close friends. Hazami also composed and produced my first single, Pesanan Terakhirmu, as a tribute to my late father.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR DUET PARTNER?
Hazami: My music is eclectic. Many genres influence my music. There’s R&B, pop, Motown and soul. Zamil is a classical pop singer. To be able to sing Kudrat with him is a great combination. I chose Zamil because he is very different from me. He sings really well and has the vocal range that Kudrat requires, so our vocals complement each other.
Zamil: Hazami is an incredibly gifted singer and composer. He sees music and melody in everything. And his voice is unique. It’s an honour to duet with him.
IS THERE A MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE DUET?
Hazami: No, not yet.
Zamil: We’ve just released a lyric video for Kudrat on YouTube, featuring Hazami and myself singing in the studio.
ANY UPCOMING TOURS?
Hazami: We have been doing the Kudrat promotion for two months on TV and radio.
Zamil: I’m always looking forward to promoting Kudrat. It is such a great song. No roadshows as yet, but it would be great.
HOW IS HAZAMI AND FRIENDS DOING?
Hazami: We are taking a break for now. Nothing new has been planned. Maybe next year.
TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO
Hazami: I am currently working on my eighth album, which is 50 per cent done. I’m still tweaking the songs and it’ll probably come out next year. It’ll be called I Love U or maybe, Love DNA.
Zamil: I’m planning to release a full album so I’m still looking for the right material. Recently, I performed in That’s Entertainment: A Night Of Radio Hits, a musical by PAN Productions, together with Dina Nadzir and Nikki Palikat at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. We really had fun acting, singing and dancing.
I have also been busy hosting events. I am grateful that many clients and corporations have recognised me as a multi-talented emcee and entertainer. Recently a client asked me to emcee at an international conference, and also to sing in the opening ceremony with 20 backup dancers. It is always a wonderful experience entertaining an audience.
HOW HAS THE LATE DATUK MAHADZIR LOKMAN BEEN YOUR INSPIRATION AS A TV HOST?
Zamil: The passing of Abang Dale is such a huge loss to the industry. There is no other like him. I was very saddened by the news. We had been friends for years. He always advised me about work.
Our birthdays also fall on the same month, his on April 9 and mine on April 23. This year, we celebrated our birthdays ogether. I didn’t know it was going to be our last celebration. I hope to carry on his legacy as a respected and multi-talented emcee and entertainer.
Kudrat is available on Spotify, iTunes and Joox.