Awi Rafael, Najwa Latif and Altimet aim to shine at Anugerah

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The big time beckons
New Straits Times
24 Jan 2014
Life & Times
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Awi Rafael, Najwa Latif and Altimet aim
to shine at Anugerah Juara Lagu 28
pages 8&9
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On a
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high note
Awi Rafael and
Najwa Latif are
thrilled to be
finalists at this year's
Anugerah Juara
Lagu 28, writes
NurAqidah Azizi
offer to work with him on Kalau Aku
ship at the competition. Putting an
Kaya, I thought, why not?" says Awi. unforgettable and entertaining per­
"Altimet hand­picked me for the song
and I am humbled."
Any doubts about their collabora­ formance is the hardest part," says
tion immediately went out of the win­ Awi who doesn't want to think about
dow as soon as both of them stepped his chances of winning.
"If it happens, it will be an achieve­
into the studio to record the song.
"We had booked the studio for the ment for those involved. For Altimet
and I, it's a bonus."
Known as one of the more talented
day, thinking that we might need
longer time to record the song since
it was our first project together. As it
turned out, we only took 45 minutes to
complete the recording. It was really a
fun experience," says Awi who became
THEIR dreams came true when a household name after releasing
they had the opportunity to several hits including Bila Aku Jatuh
release their albums and col­ Cinta and Pulanglah.
laborate with some of the best music
Awi never thought that Kalau Aku
male singers around, Awi also stands a
good chance of bagging the Best Vocal
award in AJL28.
"It's a very slim chance, if any," he
says, laughing. Also competing in the
category are Akademi Fantasia win­
ners Hafiz and Hazama who are win­
ners in the seventh and ninth seasons
talents today.
Kaya would help boost his music of the reality TV show, respectively.
But it was just the beginning of an career and take his name to another
"AJL28 has so many singers with
illustrious career for recording artistes level.
Najwa Latif and Awi Rafael.
"Music is my passion, and when I great vocals. It's will be a tough com­
Najwa and Awi are finalists in do it, I do it wholeheartedly. Thoughts petition and I am honoured to be in
this year's Anugerah Juara Lagu 28 of recognition and awards come last. I the mix."
Kalau Aku Kaya is in the
(AJL28) at Putra Indoor Stadium in love Kalau Aku Kaya and its message,"
ning for the coveted Song Of The
Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
he says.
Year. Other nominees are Ikut
Naturally, they are over the moon
Awi was not surprised at the inclu­
at having reached this stage of the sion of the song in AJL28. "I knew it Rentakku (performed by Jaclyn
prestigious annual song competition would go far because it is a great song. Victor), In Love With You (Aizat
themed Game On, this year.
DREAMS COME TRUE
Amdan & Noh), Penglipurlara
Hats off to the people behind the song (Hazama & The Penglipurlara),
— Altimet, Audi and Omar K — they Takkan Terpisah (Black), Kau
"I have been following AJL for many deserve it," he adds.
"We need more songs like this to
years. But I never thought I would one
day be a part of it — it's a big thing!," reflect our flourishing music indus­
try. The song is fresh and original and
says Awi.
He will be taking part in AJL for it shows how much the industry has
the first time this year with Kalau moved with the times," says Awi who
Aku Kaya, a collaboration with rapper has started vocal training for AJL28.
Altimet who also wrote the song.
Composed by Omar K and Audi CATCHY TUNE
Mok, the infectious tune is the first
duet by Awi and Altimet. ­
Yang Terindah (Alyah), Tanda
Tanya (Azlan & The Typewrit­
er), Hanya Aku (Hyper Act), Aku
Pelat (Salam Musik), Bahagiamu
Deritaku (Hafiz), Sahabat (Najwa)
and Bosan (Stacy).
What does he have to say about
Najwa?
"I have so much respect for her.
Kalau Aku Kaya's catchy tempo hooks She's young but she has proven that
listeners. "It is a simple song. The age doesn't matter when it comes to
"Altimet and I have different music challenge is not so much in the vocal
preferences. So when I received the department, but more on showman­
good music. Anyone can make good
music if you do it with passion," says
Awi.
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The big time beckons
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SONG ABOUT FRIENDSHIP
For Najwa, this is her second partici­
pation in AJL after her debut in 2012
for her phenomenal tune Cinta Muka­
buku. She says being in the finals is a
huge responsibility. The singer­song­
writer is looking forward to perform
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pers Sleeq and Syamkamarul.
performances.
Any surprises awaiting the audi­
feel nervous. I still get stage fright and ence during the final night?
"As the event draws closer, I start to
looking at big names who will be per­
"Let's wait and see," says the
forming that night make itworse. ButI
am confident that everything will turn
out fine," says the shy singer.
She says preparations are in full
19­year old who is pursuing her stud­
ies in Foundation in Management at
Unitar International University in
the song live.
Kelana Jaya.
"The song is about friendship, swing, with intensive vocal training
As for her life as a student, Najwa
something that is close to everyone's starting early this week.
says she is enjoying every moment.
heart. It means a lot to me because my
"It's a bit hard since Syamkamarul "Things are going on smoothly with
sister Ika penned it. I am so happy to is in Jakarta and we have limited time my studies. I am thankful for the sup­
see that we have come this far with the
to rehearse together," she says.
port of friends and lecturers," she says.
Although Najwa failed to bag any "I am taking my time to enjoy this
beginning. I hope to give the best to award at her first AJL competition, phase in my life for as long as I can. I
the song at the finals," she says.
she says the experience has helped just go with the flow."
song despite some challenges in the
. She will be accompanied by rap­ boost her confidence for future live
<­» nur@inst.com.my
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AJL 28 finalists
1. In Love With You — Aizat Amdan
& Noh Salleh (Composer: Noh
Salleh, Lyricist: Noh Salleh)
2. Penglipur Lara— Hazama & The
Penglipurlara {Composer: Omar
K & Mike Chan, Lyricist: Zel
Hadauan)
3. Takkan Terpisah — Black (Com­
poser: Kuncidemak, Lyricist: Kun­
cidemak)
4. Kalau Aku Kaya—Altimet & Awi
Rafael (Composer: Omar K & Audi
Mok, Lyricist: Altimet)
5. Kau Yang Terindah — Alyah
(Composer: Citra, Lyricist: Erma
Fatima)
6. Sahabat ~ Najwa Latif feat Sle­
eq & Syamkamarul (Composer:
Najwa Latif, Lyricist: Ika Latif)
7. Tanda Tanya — Azlan & The
Typewriter (Composer: Light &
Bakri, Lyricist: Dark)
8.HanyaAku — Hyper Act (Compos­
er: Hyper Act, Lyricist: Frozen)
9 .'Aku Pelat — Salammusik (Com­
poser: DJ Fuzz, Lyricist: Salam,
Eyzabahra & Jaytan)
10. Bahagiamu Deritaku — Hafiz
(Composer: Ly, Lyricist: Baiduri)
11. Ikut Rentakku — Jaclyn Victor
(Composer: Edry Abdul Halim,
Lyricist: Edry Abdul Halim)
12. Bosan — Stacy (Composer: Audi
Mok, Omar K & Kimberly Chin
Lyricist: Audi Mok, Omar K &
Kimberly Chin)
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The big time beckons
New Straits Times
24 Jan 2014
Life & Times
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STAR­STUDDED EVENT
HOSTED by AG Hot fm and Scha Al
Yahya, Anugeroh Juara Lagu 28 will be
Meanwhile, winners of the Best
Performance and Best Vocal will
telecast live from Stadium Putra Bukit
receive a trophy and RMIO.OOO
Jalil this Sunday on TV3 at 9pm.
each.
It will feature Shila Amzah, Mus
Prior to the event, a special
May, Waris, Datuk M Daud Kilau, Ziana
"purple carpet" event will be aired
Zain, Dali Ahli Fiqir and Zaidi One
Nation Emcees as guest performers.
on TV9's Hip TV at 7.30pm. You can
AJL28 winners will receive a
trophy and RM35.000 each. First and
second runners­up will win a trophy
and RM15.000 and RM12.000
respectively.
also catch the show online at www.
anugerahjuaralagu.com.
AJL28 is produced by Primeworks
Studio lead by Khalijah Mohamed, and
co­produced by Azman Abdul Ghafar
and Zaini Saidi.
Awi (left) andAltimet are thrilled to be part of the competition.
Headline
MediaTitle
Date
Section
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The big time beckons
New Straits Times
24 Jan 2014
Life & Times
1,8,9
English
N/A
Daily
Color
Circulation
Readership
ArticleSize
AdValue
PR Value
Full Color
95,860
236,000
2321 cm²
RM 75,722
RM 227,166