Melody and marriage for Syamel and Ernie Zakri
Singer Syamel and his artiste wife Ernie Zakri hope to establish themselves as a singing duo as iconic as the late Datuk Hail Amir and Uji Rashid, or the late Acik and Siti Nordiana.
Syamel said that he and his wife have been dreaming of being known as a duet couple since they took part in the reality show, 'Duo Star', eight years ago.
"That dream almost came true when we had the chance to record the duet song 'Aku Cinta'.
"However, because we were with different record labels, the desire to create a duo act was put on hold. We prioritised our solo careers.
"God willing, the dream of having a successful duet song will come true one day."
Syamel added that he doesn't stop his wife from performing duets with other male singers as long as it benefits her career.
He expressed his pride in Ernie's collaboration with Adi Govinda on the song 'Masing-Masing', which boosted his wife's profile in Indonesia.
"Ernie has also performed a duet with Hafiz. For me, there's no feeling of envy when I see my wife being more successful.
"It's just that maybe it's not my destiny to be like Ernie. But I haven't given up hope. We have agreed to build a brand as a singing duo."
Meanwhile, Ernie said that she has never felt superior to her husband, despite her achievements.
"However, I wouldn't have been able to achieve any of this without the support of my husband.
"I wouldn't have been able to sing 'Masing-Masing' without his blessing.
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New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Four music icons, one family legacy
FOR the first time, four of Malaysia's most powerful musical voices — all connected by family ties — will perform together on one stage. The historic 'Empat Live In Kuala Lumpur 2025' concert promises to be a landmark event in local entertainment. "This is such an exciting project," shared singer Anuar Zain. "None of us ever thought that fate would bring the four of us — my elder sister Ziana, our niece Ernie, and her husband Syamel — together not only in the same industry but now performing side-by-side on the same stage," said the 55-year-old, who first rose to fame in the mid-1980s as half of the duo Anuar & Ellina. The concert is scheduled for Oct 18 at Mega Star Arena, Kuala Lumpur. It is set to be one of the most meaningful musical collaborations in Malaysia's music scene, distinguished by the heartfelt family connection shared by the four performers. Dream comes true Anuar explained that the idea for the concert had been in the works for two to three years, but they had to wait for the right moment due to everyone's busy schedules. "This will be more than just a concert. "It's a celebration of family ties, of the talent we are grateful for, and a token of appreciation for the incredible support we've received from fans of all generations. "We truly hope the audience will come with a spirit of love, unity, and appreciation for the musical journey we've shared," he said. His 33-year-old niece, Ernie Zakri, echoed his sentiments, describing the opportunity to share the stage with her musical heroes as both emotional and surreal. "I cried when I was asked to be a part of this," Ernie recounted. "To be on stage with them, two singers I've admired since I was a child and watched working so hard to achieve greatness, is beyond a dream come true. This is a long-time dream of mine, which is finally happening." A new single Organised by Anuar Zain Network, the concert will be helmed by director Jennifer Thompson and music director Sze Wan to ensure an unforgettable sonic experience. Adding to the excitement, the four artistes will release a brand-new single, specially composed by popular songwriter and producer Edry Abdul Halim. The single is expected next month as a lead-up to the big night. "I've worked with Edry before, most notably on the song 'Sedetik Lebih'. During our recent meeting, he presented us with two options. One of them immediately resonated with all four of us. The moment it was played, we just knew it had to be that one. We were all in agreement without needing to say much," said Annuar. Edry, who is currently based in Manchester, will handle the song's mixing from his personal studio there. "He's a brilliant musician who understands each of our vocal characters, which makes the entire process more efficient and natural," Anuar elaborated. Anuar hopes this family collaboration will become a legacy for the future, both for their family and the Malaysian music scene. "We want this to be more than a one-time show. We want it to become a legacy that celebrates music, family, and the connection we share with our fans." As both a performer and organiser, Anuar is committed to delivering a top-tier experience. "My top priority is the sound system," he said. 'You can have great vocals and stunning costumes, but if the sound system is poor just because someone wants to cut costs, it will haunt me for months. For me, a concert must have excellent sound. When our performances are uploaded on social media, I want people to clearly hear the richness of our vocals and musical arrangements. "Fans might not notice technical aspects like the sound system, but as the organiser, I carry that responsibility. People are paying good money to attend this show, and we want to ensure they leave feeling completely satisfied." With powerhouse performances, heartfelt storytelling, and the powerful thread of family running through it all, 'Empat Live In Kuala Lumpur 2025' is set to be a once-in-a-generation experience.
New Straits Times
04-08-2025
- New Straits Times
Melody and marriage for Syamel and Ernie Zakri
Your browser does not support the audio element. Singer Syamel and his artiste wife Ernie Zakri hope to establish themselves as a singing duo as iconic as the late Datuk Hail Amir and Uji Rashid, or the late Acik and Siti Nordiana. Syamel said that he and his wife have been dreaming of being known as a duet couple since they took part in the reality show, 'Duo Star', eight years ago. "That dream almost came true when we had the chance to record the duet song 'Aku Cinta'. "However, because we were with different record labels, the desire to create a duo act was put on hold. We prioritised our solo careers. "God willing, the dream of having a successful duet song will come true one day." Syamel added that he doesn't stop his wife from performing duets with other male singers as long as it benefits her career. He expressed his pride in Ernie's collaboration with Adi Govinda on the song 'Masing-Masing', which boosted his wife's profile in Indonesia. "Ernie has also performed a duet with Hafiz. For me, there's no feeling of envy when I see my wife being more successful. "It's just that maybe it's not my destiny to be like Ernie. But I haven't given up hope. We have agreed to build a brand as a singing duo." Meanwhile, Ernie said that she has never felt superior to her husband, despite her achievements. "However, I wouldn't have been able to achieve any of this without the support of my husband. "I wouldn't have been able to sing 'Masing-Masing' without his blessing.
Hype Malaysia
07-07-2025
- Hype Malaysia
(Video) Chinese Singer Della Ding Dang Sports Red Kebaya & Performs Malay Song During KL Concert
We've seen many international stars perform in Malaysia, and sometimes, the stars would include a little surprise for the local fans. During her recent concert in KL, Chinese singer Della Ding Dang (丁噹) went on stage in a traditional garment to honour the local culture. The singer was recently in town for her 'A Night Tour' concert at Mega Star Arena. During the concert on 5th July 2025 (Saturday), Della wowed the crowd with her powerful vocals and emotional performances. The last time the vocalist was in town was two years ago, so it's no surprise that fans were excited to see her back in KL. Della was equally happy to see her Malaysian fans, showering them with praise for their enthusiasm during the show. Throughout the night, the 43-year-old made an effort to interact with fans as much as possible, greeting them with hi-5s and handshakes. As another show of appreciation to her local fans, Della also prepared a surprise performance. During the encore session, the star went on stage in a red Nyonya Kebaya to perform the Malay duet 'Masing-Masing' by Ernie Zakri and Ade Govinda. The 'Masing-Masing' performance was a Malaysia exclusive, so only fans at Mega Star Arena got to hear Della sing the song live. After the surprise stage, the singer laughed in glee and said, 'Wearing traditional clothes, I suddenly feel that I have become elegant'. She also made sure to show her Malay skills, telling fans 'terima kasih (thank you)' and 'aku cinta padamu (I love you)' before ending the concert. Interestingly, yesterday (6th July 2025, Sunday) also marked Della's 18th anniversary as a singer. The star celebrated the occasion with her Malaysian fan club at a local karaoke. She shared a highlight video of the event on her Instagram account and thanked fans for all the love and support over the years. She also shared a few snapshots of her in KL, including photos of her posing with the PETRONAS Twin Towers. It appears the love between Della and her fans is mutual. We hope the star had a great time in KL, and we look forward to her next performance here. In the meantime, here's a look at Della's 18th-anniversary celebration with her Malaysian fans and her performance of 'Masing-Masing': Source: China Press, Facebook, Instagram (1)(2)
