KUALA LUMPUR: While actress and TV personality Paula Malai Ali did her country Brunei proud by “expanding her wings” to neighbouring Malaysia in the 1990s, a suave young man who excels in broadcasting, singing and song writing is now following her footsteps in his own way.
Fakhrul Razi Ibrahim, 35, the man behind the haunting yet entertaining tune Senyuman Gelapmu (taken from his debut album Mutlak released last year) wants to make it big here.
“Senyuman Gelapmu is a song which has meaningful lyrics, all of which I created. It tells the story of how people are not who they seem to be - this applies to unfriendly people who are nicer than they appear to be, and vice-versa,” said Fakhrul who is the youngest of five siblings from Bandar Seri Begawan, the Bruneian capital city.
Senyuman Gelapmu is the main single from Mutlak, and this song helped “take” him to Hollywood.
“Two years ago, I represented Brunei in the World Championship Of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, the United States.
“I took home a silver and four gold medals, and Senyuman Gelapmu which I composed and wrote that year, brought me a gold in the original composition category.”
The song also earned Fakhrul an Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2014 nod for Popular New Male Artiste, and an Anugerah Industri Muzik 21 nod for Best New Male Artiste last year.
Mutlak has a total of nine songs, three of which are composed and written by Fakhrul himself.
“The other two songs are the title track Mutlak and Salahkah Aku. The songs in my debut album are mainly about lost chances in life, not necessarily the result of forbidden love and break-ups.”
He dedicates the album to his late mother Hamimah Jumaat who died of an illness aged 63 in 2011.
“She was my biggest fan, supporter and music critic, and the first person to support me all the way in my nascent music career,” said Fakhrul.
Two notable composers involved in the production of the album are Azlan Abu Hassan and the late Adam Ahmad.
“Adam was a dear friend to me. He was very patient, kind and encouraging, and pushed me to develop my own style in music. I miss him and I’ll cherish his composition Andai Ada Bahagia forever.”
Fakhrul first found fame by participating in Radio Televisyen Brunei’s (RTB) annual singing contest Talentime in 2004. He subsequently performed in a joint Malaysia and Brunei musical showcase series titled Senandung Muhibbah.
A former student of Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College in Bandar Seri Begawan, he also spent two years pursuing a history degree in Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
“While I’m very passionate about music, I would love to finish my degree course one day,” he says, adding that he is a keen fan of culture, history and music traditions of every country he visits.
Fakhrul was a radio presenter on Bruneian television from 2004 till 2013. For the first five years, he was with RTB’s radio station Nasional FM.
“I then joined private station Kristal FM. Besides this, I was an RTB TV talk show host, handling the light and easy morning programme Rampai Pagi.”
Fakhrul’s biggest international win came in 2010 when he clinched an Avima Award for Best R&B Vocals. “The song which won me the award was Quench, and I received my prize in Kuala Lumpur.”
He looks up to Siti Nurhaliza, Dayang Nurfaizah and Hafiz Suip, and hopes to work with them in future.
“They are my favourite singers in Malaysia because they are disciplined, well-mannered and always friendly towards their fans. Besides they are naturally talented and have taken regional music to amazing heights.”