Songstress Dayang Nurfaizah celebrates her 15th anniversary in the music industry with a concert at the prestigious venue,
writes Faisal Asyraf
POPULAR singer Dayang Nurfaizah first came into the limelight through the single Hakikat Cinta, composed and penned by Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan and Hani M.J. but it failed to turn the then 18-year-old into a household name.
Most people hardly noticed her presence in the music industry then. “It was a really difficult time in my life,” recalls Dayang, 33, who will have her solo concert at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 3.
Interviewed in the dressing room of the New Straits Times Press studio, the petite singer, whose full name is Dayang Nurfaizah Awang Dowty, said: “We didn’t know what went wrong at the time, whether it was the selection of the songs or the timing of its release. Perhaps, it just wasn’t my time yet.”
FAME BECKONS
Fortunately, the single Seandainya Masih Ada Cinta, a slow ballad from her sophomore album of the same name, shot her to fame. Released in 2001, it was composed and penned by Ajai and Syed ENV.
The song won her Most Popular Song in the 2001 Anugerah Planet Muzik and Song Of The Year in the 2002 Anugerah Industri Muzik. There was a time when she was seen as the closest rival to renowned singer Datuk Siti Nurhaliza in singing competitions. This song also won the 2001 Anugerah Juara Lagu, ballad category, beating Liza Hanim’s and Siti Nurhaliza’s Andainya Aku Bersuara and Percayalah respectively.
“That song turned me into a household name,” she says, grinning with delight as she recalls the good memories.
With the achievements, her singing career was put on the right track again. That was just a few of the dozen more accolades to come her way. Her dream of becoming famous like her idols Datuk Sheila Majid and Anuar Zain was within reach.
The irony was, Dayang has never worked directly with Ajai until now. Not even on Seandainya Masih Ada Cinta, the hit that propelled her into the spotlight.
She explains: “Ajai handed over the song to producer Boon Tan. At that time, a composer never worked together with the artiste. It’s only now that they do.
“However, from time to time, he would come to discuss with Boon (Tan) my progress with the song.” Asked whether Ajai knew that the song would become a hit, Dayang only giggled. She doesn’t have the answer to that but she is ever thankful to Ajai for the song.
In 2002, her debut album was re-released and renamed Di Sini Bermula. Since then, she has released five studio albums and two live albums.
Her studio albums are Hembusan Asmara (2002), Dayang Sayang Kamu (2004), Kasih (2005), Dayang 20 07 (2007), and Sayang & Cahaya (2011).
The live albums are Dayang Live (2009) and a collaboration with her idol turned best friend Anuar Zain in Anuar & Dayang Live At Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (2012).
Seandainya Masih Ada Cinta continues to bring her luck as she won The Best Female Vocal In A Song for the live version at the Anugerah Industri Muzik last year.
TURNING POINT
Dayang’s singing passion started since 12. The Kuching-born songstress recalls: “I’d always sung at home. My family knew that I loved singing but they thought it was normal for a little girl to sing. It was my neighbour, Mak Kiah, who realised that I had the potential to go far.”
On the sly, she submitted Dayang’s name for a singing competition.
“I was nervous. I knew I could sing with confidence at home because no one was watching. But I went anyway because I didn’t want to disappoint Mak Kiah. Luckily, I won.”
Mak Kiah was spot on about Dayang’s talent. Despite winning the competition, it took Dayang another three years to muster the courage to perform on stage. “I entered another competition when I was 15. I then entered more competitions, the most notable being Golden Teen Search RTM in 1996.”
It became the turning point in her singing career even though she didn’t win anything. Renowned composer Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan, who was one of the judges, saw her potential.
“Adnan advised me to enter another round of the competition which would be held a year later,” says the soft-spoken Dayang.
She won the competition the following year and the rest was history.
DAVID FOSTER
One of the sweetest moments in her singing career was when she became a guest artiste in the David Foster & Friends Live In Asia Tour concert that was held at the Bukit Jalil Indoor Stadium in 2011.
The legendary composer and music producer’s concert featured celebrity guests such as Charice, Ashanti, Philip Bailey and crooner Michael Bolton.
It was a night to remember as Dayang wowed the audience with her richly melodic, husky voice. She rendered Boz Scaggs’ Look What You’ve Done To Me (a soundtrack from Urban Cowboy, composed by Foster and Scaggs).
Dayang has this to say about her rehearsals. “Foster wanted to surprise the audience. They didn’t know that I was a guest artiste,” she says.
“I rehearsed with his band members for almost an hour but Foster was nowhere to be seen. When he joined us later, we only practised for 15 minutes.”
Dayang described the musician as extremely talented and professional. The 15 minute-rehearsal was dedicated to finding “the right notes” that would uplift Dayang’s performance. “Foster wanted to put me in the spotlight. He wanted me to render the tune using my own style and vocal strengths. I was touched because it was his concert and I was just a guest artiste but he made it seem like I was the main artiste.”
R&B PRINCESS
Dayang’s effortless rendering of ballads has earned her the moniker R&B Princess just as Ella is the Rock Queen and Datuk Sheila Majid, the Jazz Queen. Early in her career, Adnan Abu Hassan found out that Dayang’s melodious voice was suited for the R&B genre.
With the title comes big responsibility. “To be frank, I don’t see myself as an R&B princess. I still sing a lot of pop songs and my albums contain pop flavours. So I am not wholly an R&B singer.
“But I take that as a challenge to keep me on my toes. When fans give you a title, they have high expectations and it’s important not to let them down,” she explains.
Her favourite artistes include Eric Benet, Maxwell Rivera and Alicia Keys.
Currently, she finds herself leaning towards the ballad genre. “When I first started, I just sang songs which were offered to me. Now I know what I am good at and in which direction I want to bring my music career.”
While Dayang is certain to focus on ballads, she finds it difficult to find songs which suit her. That would explain why it has already been three years without a new studio album. “I am selective when it comes to choosing songs. I need a song which is fresh and different in tone and sound. Otherwise, there’s no purpose in coming out with a new album.”
She hints at a single in the near future. “I don’t have any new material yet but I’m looking forward to releasing a single,” she says.
CATCHY SOUNDTRACKS
While fans eagerly await her new songs,Dayang’s ballads — Bisikan Rindu and Di Pintu Syurga — are rapidly gaining popularity.
Both are soundtracks for the drama series Dahlia (2013) and Ariana Rose (2014), respectively. Bisikan Rindu is composed by Adi Sixth Sense while Di Pintu Syurga is by Tam Spider.
On Di Pintu Syurga , she says: “Tam has always written songs for himself and his band. I didn’t know he wrote for others, especially female performers. When I first listened to the tune, I found it soulful and melodious.”
15TH ANNIVERSARY
Is Dayang comfortable being where she is now? She is definitely grateful but she also humbly stresses that she has a lot to learn.
Dayang says: “Unlike other artistes such as Datuk Ramli Sarip who has been here for 45 years and Anuar Zain, 30 years, I have a lot to learn.”
She adds that she wouldn’t be here if not for her fans’ support.
Dayang’s upcoming solo concert at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas marks her 15th year in the music industry.
The concert will be led by music director Jenny Chin. The selection of songs hasn’t been finalised but Dayang assures that she will include most of her hits, but with fresh interpretations.
“I will sing 22 songs altogether, including some I’ve never performed anywhere, such as Kasih Maafkan,” says Dayang.
Kasih Maafkan, composed by Amer Munawer, is taken from the album Dayang Sayang Kamu (2005). Its music video features Anuar Zain as Dayang’s boyfriend.
Fans’ response for this upcoming concert has been overwhelming, with tickets already sold out.
What can they expect from Dayang in the future? She says: “I will sing for as long as I can. New material will follow and I hope fans will continue to support my career.”