a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Stiff competition, solid collaborations in AIM24
KLUANG-born singer Haziq Rosebi got the nickname "Datuk Ahmad Jais Junior" when he won fourth place in 'Akademi Fantasia' Season 4.
He may have been in the race for Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) when he first joined showbiz, but for the first time, he is a front-runner for Best Traditional Song.
At the recent unveiling of AIM 24's top five nominees at Primiera Hotel, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur, Haziq said that he was "so happy" to be back at the annual music awards.
His traditional song, 'Pujuk', is his first duet with fellow Johorean singer Shima Ramli or Baby Shima, and he describes the pairing as "opposites attract".
TRENDY
"I'm a rather traditional person, while Shima is free-spirited and trendy," he said.
"But we got along great recording this song, and working with her has encouraged me to sing with artistes who excel in other genres.
"I always believe that we must step out of our comfort zone."
Haziq's fellow AF graduate Amir Masdi of Season 13 is up for Best Male Vocals for his song, 'Sengaja'.
"I've been nominated for various music awards over the last five years, but this is my first AIM nod.
"Competition is stiff and in my category alone, I'm up against Akim Ahmad, Hafiz Suip and Hazama Azmi who are all from the same reality show."
VETERAN
Veteran singer Noraniza Idris is delighted to be back in AIM, and this time her nod is a traditional duet with Hazama titled 'Penawar Kita'.
"I'm a firm believer in collaborations between old and new, and I'm glad to have recorded this fantastic song with a very promising male vocalist, Hazama," she said.
Super singer Aina Abdul hopes to finally strike gold in AIM 24 having been nominated repeatedly over the last five years.
"Together with Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Dayang Nurfaizah and Ernie Zakri, I've got among the highest number of nominations.
"It's not going to be easy with such strong competition, but may the best get the top prizes," she said, adding that her priority was to keep healthy for her big day.
GENTING
AIM 24, which is supported by the Communications Ministry and organised by the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM), will be held at 8.30pm on Sept 13 at the Arena of Stars in Resorts World Genting.
RIM chairman and AIM24 organising chairman Rosmin Hashim announced that a total of 130 finalists were shortlisted for the 26 categories.
"The selection of the five finalists in each category were made by a panel of professional jurors, with the scoring fully audited by certified audit firm Mazars. The judging process was administered by an independent body, Macomm Management Services Sdn Bhd," he said.
The Best Album winner will receive RM200,000 while the Best New Artiste, Best Ethnic Song, Best Nasyid Song, Best Traditional Song, Best Unity Song, Best Local English Song, Best Local Chinese Song, Best Local Indian Song, Best Song and Best Music Video will each receive RM50,000.
Winners of 11 selected categories stand to receive a share of RM700,000 in Creative Content Funds from the Ministry of Communications via MyCreative Ventures (MyCV).
Rosmin said that earlier this year, RIM received a total of 682 nominations covering recordings released during the eligibility period of July 1, 2022 to Dec 31, 2024.
"The first phase of judging for the Best Song Recording and Best Album Recording categories took place at Timeless Studio on July 14 and 15, followed by the remaining categories at Hotel Majestic Kuala Lumpur from July 21 to 23.
"The Best Song judging was held at Timeless Studio on July 29," he said.
PANEL
The judging panel comprises highly qualified local music industry professionals, including composers, lyricists, musicians, singers, producers, arrangers, vocal coaches and video directors.
The judging panel is headed by well-known music director Datuk Mokhzani Ismail.
The event will be broadcast live on TV2 of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).
Rosmin said: "Six categories will be announced during the Pre-Awards Ceremony on Sept 12 — namely Best Single/Album Cover, Best Album Recording, Best Song Recording, Best Musical Arrangement in a Song, Most Streamed Song and Most Viewed Official Music Video on YouTube.
"The remaining 24 major categories will be announced during the awards show."
The Best Pop Song category received the highest number of nominees at 72, while the Best Music Video category received the second highest number at 70.
JURY
Rosmin said: "Most importantly, the jury members who have been nominated will not judge the categories they are in."
The press conference was also attended by RTM director-general Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman and Communications Ministry senior principal assistant secretary Noreen Iszani Yusak and some of the artistes, composers and lyricists nominated for awards.
AIM began in 1993 with 'Dekat Padamu' by Ning Baizura winning Best Album and 'Satu' by Tan Sri SM Salim and Datuk Zainal Abidin winning Best Song.
