Winnie K has released her fourth album, Kau Ada Di Mana

Winnie K loves Malay songs and her fourth album was first released in Indonesia recently. SHARIFAH ARFAH hears about her journey in the music world.

AN early start in singing, it is believed, is preferred for those intending to achieve stardom.

But after a placing within the top three in a regional singing contest and recording four albums, singer Winnie Kok aka Winnie K attests that it’s not as easy as it sounds.

“It does depend on luck as well. It’s not easy to be an artiste,” says the 28-year-old lass.

She has just released her fourth album Kau Ada Di Mana in Malay. It was released in Indonesia in March.
A collaboration between Malaysian and Indonesian composers, the album sees contributions from Malaysian composers Audi Mok, Cat Farish, Ajai, Ramli M.S., and Siew; while Dewiq and Yudis Dwikarono make up the Indonesian composers.

“I knew the Indonesian composers through a mutual friend there. They saw how passionate I was about singing, and that led to the recording deal signed with Trinity Optima, who also releases albums for Indonesian artistes such as Rossa and Ungu,” said Winnie.

Kau Ada Di Mana was released in Malaysia in June under the Warner Music label.

Her first single for airplay is a track after which the album was titled, followed by Kekasih Gelapku.

Jakarta is now her second home, her base for her promotional tours.

“I know it’s not easy for me to break into the Indonesian market where they have so many of their own singers trying to make a name, so I have to be diligent with my promotional activities,” she said.

It took three years to finalise her first Malay album to ensure that it met standards.

“It wasn’t easy selecting the songs to fit the concept I wanted - catchy, with easy-to-follow lyrics,” she said.

As a fan of Malay songs, Winnie doesn’t feel awkward singing in Malay.

“Since secondary school, I have loved Malay songs.” Her favourite artistes those days included KRU, Fauziah Latiff and Sheila Majid.

An exposure to Malay songs was also acquired while campaigning as an ambassador for Pepsi.

“I got to know Siti Nurhaliza and KRU back then, and I learned a lot about the local music scene from them,” said Winnie.

When did it all start? As early as when she was three years old, apparently.

“My mom said I sang every day at home,” Winnie said.

She took part in as many talent shows as she could fit into her days.

One of the turning points came in 1993, at 13, when she entered the Asia Bagus singing contest. She emerged runner-up in the grand championship final.

“After the win, many people recognised me,” Winnie said.

She was eventually offered a recording contract by PonyCanyon due to her sterling performance in Asia Bagus, but she had to decline.

“I felt I was too young, so I continued with my studies instead.”

She went on to graduate with a degree in Business Administration from Sunway University College, and did a six-month stint in TV presentation at Wesley College in Melbourne, Australia.

“I began to regret then not taking up the offer (by PonyCanyon). I wondered how I would have fared, with the exposure I may have had in Japan. I love singing, but I know that it’s not enough to just be a singer without something solid to fall back on.

“Many singers come and go, and it’s so easy for people to forget you when new stars arrive.”

New Straits Times

IT’S no secret that popular artiste Mawi is getting married to TV actress/personality Ekin.

For the past month, amidst media frenzy over the much-hyped wedding ceremony, many in the entertainment fraternity are left wondering when the BIG day will be.

Earlier this month, this column highlighted news about the “tussle” between giant media company Media Prima Sdn Bhd (which, among others, operates terrestrial TV stations TV3, ntv7, TV9 and 8TV) and satellite broadcaster Astro over the right to broadcast the wedding ceremony.

The latest on the grapevine is that Astro has been given the thumbs-up.

“It was like a ‘custody’ battle between Media Prima and Astro,” said an Astro insider, adding that “Mawi being a product of Akademi Fantasia (AF), the reality show produced by Astro, it is only logical that the network obtains the rights.”
Sources reveal that Media Prima offered a staggering amount - between RM5 million and RM6 million - to acquire the rights to the ceremony.

Incidentally, Media Prima made history when TV3 carried the wedding ceremony of award-wining singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza and businessman Datuk Seri Khalid Jiwa. It was the first time that a celebrity couple’s wedding was beamed “live” on mainstream TV in Malaysia.

Though there is no official announcement, it seems the 27-year-old Mawi has enlisted Yamin and Cikgu Baha (of AF fame) as wedding planners.

Mawi and Ekin are expected to hold a Press conference on Oct 21 to announce their wedding details.

The question on everyone’s lips is, how grand will the wedding be?

n LATELY more Malaysian filmmakers have been making waves internationally.

The latest is director/actor M. Subash, who will be rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of Bollywood during the 39th International Film Festival (IFFI) in India next month.

His debut film, Pensil, has been selected to participate at the 11-day film fest which will take place at Beach City in Goa starting Nov 22.

Subash received the confirmation via an e-mail sent by the festival’s print coordinator, Ramesh Chandra recently.

Dubbed as one of the oldest and the largest film festivals in Asia, IFFI is accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers’ Association (FIAPF).

To date, it has grown into a high-profile affair and received much coverage.

The movie is a heart-wrenching TV drama-turned-film about a physically-challenged aspiring artiste. It also stars Subash in the leading role.

Produced by Genius Parade Sdn Bhd on a modest RM400,000 budget, Pensil made heads turn when it received a string of accolades at the 21st Malaysian Film Festival in August.

Subash received the Special Jury Award for his efforts in highlighting the plight of the disabled.

Veteran actress Ruminah Sidek bagged the Best Supporting Actress award for her convincing portrayal in the movie. Other cast members included Maimon Mutalib, Khatijah Tan and Jalil Hamid.

n WE all love him. He’s charming, easy-going and adorable. Who are we referring to?

Que Haidar, that’s who. Recently the actor has been romantically linked to beautiful dance instructor-choreographer Linda Jasmine of Akademi Fantasia fame.

Que, who has 20 films under his belt, is adamant that it is just a rumour.

“I don’t know how the gossip came about,” said the actor, who had just returned from his Hari Raya celebration in Johor Baru over the weekend.

Previously, the lanky actor was linked to award-winning actress Sharifah Amani.

Earlier this year, he was linked to a member of a royal family after they were spotted attending a music awards ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

New Straits Times

Fazley has been busy singing, hosting TV shows and giving motivational talks. Soon, being a father will keep him on his toes as well.

Soon-to-be father Fazley is also looking forward to working with an award-winning lyricist with whom he has always been dreaming of collaborating. SHUIB TAIB writes.

IT pays to be patient. And singer/motivational speaker/TV host Fazley can attest to this.

Since his involvement in show business 13 years ago, it has been his dream to collaborate with award-winning lyricist Habsah Hassan.

No stranger to local music fans, Habsah who is also a well-established scriptwriter and film producer (Hati Bukan Kristal), has penned hundreds of songs.

Her reputation as a sought-after lyricist resulted from her working with a string of top local singers, including Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Sheila Majid and the late Sudirman Arshad.
Habsah, who had a hand in chart-toppers like Merisik Khabar, Jauh Di Sudut Hati, Legenda and Dialah Di Hati, has finally written one for Fazley titled Rindu Tak Tertanggung. The song is composed by Ajai.

“I’ve been waiting for Habsah since I was 17! She is worth the wait though, as her lyrics are always poignant and moving. I’m targeting this to be my first single - but this depends on what happens after we’ve finished recording,” said the 30-year-old.

Fazley, who has been busy with hosting TV shows, is releasing an album of 10 new songs, plus four bonus tracks. The tracks are taken from his previous albums and are all about love.

The songs are Kerna Asmara, Cerita Asmara, Asmara Ini and H.U.J.A.N. or Harapan Untuk Janji Asmara Nurani.

Aside from Aja, who composed four numbers, Fazley has roped in the expertise of Mode of Ruffedge, who contributed three songs while the rest are written by him.

The yet-to-be-titled album is expected to hit the market by end of this month.

Elaborating on his album, Fazley said that Superheromu could be its title.

“The song Superheromu in the album is simple but catchy. It is about a guy who tries to save his girl by becoming a superhero. It’s inspired by a Harvey Malaiholo (an Indonesian jazz singer) number,” said Fazley.

The album will not be moving away very much from what he had done previously. The music will be contemporary and romantic. Lyrics-wise, save for the one written by Kak Chah (Habsah), the songs are simple.

Fazley has also been travelling a lot around the country, mostly to places he thought he would never set foot on.

As host of the programme, 3 Hari 2 Malam (airing every Sunday on TV9 at 8.30pm), which is already in its third season, Fazley has been to almost every corner of the country.

“I’ve been to places like Hutan Belum with Fauziah Latiff, climbed a mountain in search of the Rafflesia, went kayaking and diving in Pulau Kapas with Dr Faiz the astronaut (who was also his junior at school) and experienced all sorts of outdoor adventures.

“The travelogue also took us to Pulau Banding in Perak, Tasik Bera in Pahang and Gunung Santubong (the venue of the Rainforest Festival) in Sarawak.

“Since this is a programme for budget travellers, we usually travel by road and stay at 2- or 3-star hotels. Each artiste featured on the programme is given RM500 to spend during the three-day-two-night stay,” said Fazley, who also penned the theme song for the show.

Other celebrities who have appeared on the show include Cat Farish, Siti Sarah and Danny X-Factor.

Tune in to TV9 between 8am and 10am every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and you will see Fazley in a different role in the programme called Nasi Lemak Kopi O.

In the show’s motivation segment called Pedas Sedap, Fazley answers calls and offers advice.

Celcom mobile phone users can also get his daily motivational quotes by sending the SMS “S1″ to 22600.

And soon Fazley will also be seen on TV2’s English talk show, Mr Motivation.

Although the singer has tried his hand at acting, he prefers hosting as it allows him to be himself.

But the one thing he is most looking forward to is becoming a father.

In fact, Fazley and his wife are expecting the arrival of their baby on the same date they got married last year: Nov 7.

Does he know his baby’s gender?

“Nope! Both my wife and I want this to be a surprise. When shopping for baby stuff we go for a neutral colour - white! We don’t care about whether we’re going to have a boy or girl so long as he or she is healthy.”

New Straits Times