PETALING JAYA: One of the country’s top composers and lyricists Edry Abdul Halim is the new principal of Astro’s popular reality talent show Akademi Fantasia for Season 2015.
He is not a stranger to the show since he helped write and compose songs for the 12 students of Season 8 in 2010 when his elder brother Norman Abdul Halim was the principal.
KRU is a successful hip-hop and pop trio comprising Norman, Edry and Yusry Abdul Halim. The three brothers also run KRU Studios which is one of the country’s top music and movie-making business empires.
“I did help Norman a little in Season 8 since we both share a passion in guiding budding new talents. However, this time I’m going into it alone with my team of instructors.
“While I will expose my students to the best practices of artistes whom KRU, or myself, have collaborated with, I’m going to be my own man as principal,” he said at a Press conference to introduce AF 2015 faculty members, held at The Roof here, yesterday.
While Edry isn’t seeking help from his elder brothers, he reminds his students that one similarity he and Norman share would be made clear to them.
“We are perfectionists who demand nothing but the best from our students. Talent is most important when it comes to this show,” he said.
While he may look cool, calm and smiling most of the time, Edry reminded his students not to be fooled by his “nice guy” image, for he is “serious and no-nonsense” as a “cikgu”.
“I believe that as a trainer of talent, we’ve got to be cruel to be kind. As they always say, you don’t gain if you don’t face the pain,” he added.
Edry will place great emphasis on student creativity and “making each song his or her own” as principal.
“We don’t want ‘clones’ of established artistes. We want new artistes who have their own style, sound and branding. Artistes with longevity in the industry are those who develop their own singing and performing styles, and these are the artistes I’m looking for from amongst my proteges of Season 2015,” he added.
Edry also encouraged his proteges to be writers and composers, because it would be a bonus for new artistes to be a “triple threat” - singer, songwriter and composer these days.
“In a way, that’s who I am, and it’s a gift I’ve acquired that I’d love to pass down to talented, new entertainers of the future.”
Edry heads a team of instructors comprising music director Acis, vocal instructor Shahrol Bahri Shaarani, performance instructors Fauziah Nawi and Que Haidar, choreography instructor Linda Jasmine Hashim and English language and motivational instructor Fatimah Abu Bakar.
“Most of them are old friends whom I’ve known since the first season of Akademi Fantasia back in 2003. I’ve been a staunch fan of the reality talent show since its launch because it is a fun-filled way for fans to find their most entertaining new talents in the industry, and a healthy, family-oriented entertainment show that unites Malaysians and promotes the 1Malaysia concept.”
Two years ago, in AF Season 2013, Edry was one of three judges, the others being actress Sharifah Amani and music producer Roslan Aziz (who was also the principal of AF Season 5 in 2007.
“Being a judge was a great way for me to get to know the contestants. It was an opportunity to give them constructive criticism in their weekly concerts, suggesting how to better their performances.
“As the principal, I will get to be more up close and personal with my students, taking keen interest in their weekly activities, and guide them as best as I can, navigating all ‘hiccups’ they may encounter along their journey into the music and show business industry.
“Besides making sure that all differences they have with their instructors are ironed out, I also must make sure that they are well-groomed and grow into disciplined, humble, punctual, neat and well-mannered starlets whom their fans would love to emulate,” he said.
The student hopefuls for AF 2015 are Shahrul Kamarozaman, 19, of Port Dickson, Ikhwan Alif Salim, 20, of Ipoh, Syameel Mohd Fodzly, 22, of Kuala Lumpur, Anthonasius “Openg” Jadil, 23, of Kota Marudu, Sabah, Faroq Mohd Nor, 23, of Malacca, Sufi Rashid, 24, of Singapore, Syahid Abu Hassan, 27, of Malacca, Wili George, 28, of Tuaran, Sabah, Ziqa Naharuddin, 19, of Kota Tinggi, Johor, Arissa Shahrudin, 21, of Puchong, Nabila Samsaidi, 19, of Kuala Lumpur, Lisa Jambi, 22, of Bintulu, Sarawak, Ifa Azhar, 21, of Alor Setar, Dalila Yusof, 23, of Singapore, Rachel Ang, 23, of Kuantan and Aziah Awang, 21, of Tuaran, Sabah.
“The principal and instructors will judge them in the first concert on Aug 9, and we’ll select 10 to 12 students for AF 2015. I’ve only got to know them, and what I’ve learnt from my team of instructors who handled the auditions which took place in May and June, they’ve got potential to be great singers,” said Edry.
AF 2015 comes on over Astro Ria (104) and Ria HD (123) with the concert to be broadcast live from the Shah Alam City Council in Shah Alam at 9pm.
While the first concert sees the instructors select the students of their choice based on their performances, the second to 10th weekly concerts will see the students with the lowest Short Messaging Service (SMS) votes eliminated, until five finalists remain.
Returning as co-hosts for the weekly concerts are Faizal Ismail and Zizan Razak. Former Era FM radio announcer and Season 1 graduate Nana Mahazan will present the daily Diari AF 2015 which takes a peek at the students’ and instructors’ activities for half an hour at 9pm, Mondays to Fridays.