BEGINNING today, 30 songs will compete during the Muzik Muzik 38 semifinals (SFMM38) for 12 spots at next year's 38th Anugerah Juara Lagu.
Composers whose works were selected include singer-songwriter Datuk M. Nasir, whose song, 'Menyantun Kasih', is performed by Siti Nordiana.
Another notable senior composer, Edry Abdul Halim, also made it to the semifinals with 'Korbankan Kita', performed by Mojo.
Four of Nasir's previous works had garnered the top award at AJL, touted as Malaysia's most prestigious song competition - 'Tanya Sama Itu Hud-Hud' (in 1994), 'Ghazal Untuk Rabiah' (a duet with Datuk Jamal Abdillah in 1997), 'Andalusia' (1999), and 'Awan Nano' (in 2011, a song recorded and performed by Hafiz Suip).
Commenting on the return of such big names in the competition, SFMM 38 executive producer, Sufian Che Isa, says this adds value to the country's already well-known song competition.
"We're delighted to see a legendary composer such as Nasir being selected for the semifinals.
"Hopefully this will be the start of more senior composers joining us in future too," he said at the announcement event for the 30 finalists in Petaling Jaya, Selangor last Sunday.
The announcement was made via a special performance delivered by singers Adira Suhaimi, her sister Emma Suhaimi and Sharul Kamal.
Also present were project manager Russell Mark Rodrigues and TV3 programming and airtime manager Aizat Nizam.
Besides Nasir and Edry, seasoned singer Ziana Zain is also one of the contestants competing at SFMM38 with Waktu, a duet she recorded with newcomer Hasif Upin.
Other former AJL champions such as Hael Husaini and last year's winner Aina Abdul have also made it to the semifinals.
While Hael is competing for his song 'Bintang', Aina's selected work for this year is 'Jangan Mati Rasa'.
Meanwhile, the complete list of artistes (and their songs) who are going to compete during the three rounds (to be held over three days consecutively) of semifinals beginning today are as follows.
Masdo's 'Inilah Jalannya', composed and written by Noh Salleh; 'Oh Wanita' (Khai Bahar/Harry Khalifah/Harry Khalifah); 'Waktu' (Hasif Upin & Ziana Zain/Iqie Hugh, John Jeeves & Firdaus Rahmat/Iqie Hugh, John Jeeves & Firdaus Rahmat); 'Kucuma' (Wany Hasrita & Datuk Jamal Abdillah/A Ramlee & Ezra Kong/A Ramlee & Ezra Kong); 'Kaulah Syurga' (Khai Bahar & Lia Aziz/Asfan Shah/Siti Rosmizah); 'Tusuk' (Shiha Zikir/Iqie Hugh & Omar K/Iqie Hugh & Omar K); 'Hasrat' (Amir Jahari/Amir Jahari); 'Ilusi' (Marsha Milan Ft Hazama/Iqie Hugh, Shazreq Azeman & Omar K/Iqie Hugh, Shazreq Azeman & Omar K); 'Jangan Mati Rasa Itu' (Aina Abdul/Aina Abdul); and, 'Bahagia Milik Kita' (Syamel/Syamel & Ahmad Jeffny/Syamel).
Others are 'Racun' (Elica Paujin Ft Dem Lepak Boyz/Iqie Hugh & Aniq Iffat/Iqie Hugh & Aniq Iffat); 'Korbankan Kita' (Mojo/Edry Abdul Halim); 'Kamu Kamu' (Wani Kayrie/Ziin/Jerry); 'Alah Bisa' (Amira Othman Ft Faizal Tahir/Glow Rush/Mage, Nick Ariff, Glow Rush, Faizal Tahir & Acap Salim); 'Astana' (Ernie Zakri/Omar K, Shazriq Azeman, Ernie Zakri & Syamel/Omar K, Shazriq Azeman, Ernie Zakri & Syamel); 'Cinta Hanya Buatan' (Muna Shahirah & Afieq Shazwan/Gouffran & Ibnu/Gouffran & Ibnu); 'Cinta Sahabiyah' (Datin Alyah/Datin Alyah & Omar K/Datin Alyah); 'Menyantun Kasih' (Siti Nordiana/M Nasir/Keon); 'Sejuta Maaf' (Liza Hanim/Sirkhan & Rinkarnaen/Sirkhan); and, 'Sutera' (Aishah Retno/Aishah Retno).
And the last 10 songs are 'Kalam' (Shiha Zikir/Iqie Hugh, John Jeeves & Firdaus Rahmat/Iqie Hugh, John Jeeves & Firdaus Rahmat); 'Dua Darjat' (Black Hanifah/Nyawablack & Nyawablack/Amintot); 'Santai' (Faizal Tahir/Faizal Tahir); 'Budi' (Kmy Kmo, Luca Sickta Ft Sufian Suhaimi/Kmy Kmo & Luca Sickta); 'Berubah' (De Fam/Mage, Faizal Tahir & Sophia Liana/Mage, Faizal Tahir & Sophia Liana); 'Selagi Ku Ada' (Khai Bahar & Nabila Razali/Amylea/Amylea); 'Bintang' (Hael Husaini/Hael Husaini); 'Darah' (Marsha Milan/Naim Daniel & Firdaus Rahmat/Naim Daniel & Firdaus Rahmat); 'Aku, Hati Dan Perasaan' (Haqiem Rusli/Haqiem Rusli); and, 'Di Sebalik Rahsia' (Haqiem Rusli/Haqiem Rusli & Sharon Paul/Haqiem Rusli & Fahmi Zafran).
SFMM 38 will be aired live from Studio 1 in Glenmarie in Shah Alam today, tomorrow and on Sunday on TV3 at 3pm and will feature Izzue Islam and Fiza Frizzy as hosts.
Each round will also showcase a performance by a guest artiste on each day, beginning with Noraniza Idris, followed by Akim & The Majistret, and Search on Sunday.
SFMM 38 is presented by cosmetic brand Alha Alfa as its main sponsor and its partner sponsor, U Mobile.
OhBulan!, XTRA and Says Seismik are its digital partners, while Hot FM is the official radio.
Fans can also cast their vote for their favourite song to win the Alha Alfa Choice Song by scanning the QR code which will appear during the broadcast over the three days.
The final 12 songs selected will compete at Anugerah Juara Lagu 38 on March 3 next year.