KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — By now, many of you would have heard the song Lagu Jiwa Kacau (A Song for Troubled Souls) on the radio and wondered who is behind that deep-ranged basso profundo voice that reminds one of songbirds past like Saloma, Salamiah Hassan and the likes.
Turns out it wasn’t some 50-year-old chanteuse diva, but Nurul Huda Ramdzan, a fresh-faced 1.4 metre tall 26-year-old singer songwriter from Singapore.
And unlike many who have tried and failed before, Huda never started out wanting to be a singer in the first place.
“It all started out by chance. Personally, I am a very shy person. And it’s because of that my friends love to dare me to do stuff. They keep pestering me to sing all the time.
“There was a Rihanna music video competition, where you send in a video of you singing your favourite Rihanna song and the winner gets a chance to meet Rihanna.
“I wasn’t much of a fan. I love her voice and I listen to her songs, but unlike my friends, I’m not that much of a fan. I’m more of a jazz and bossa nova girl. I love swing. Not R’n’B that much. But they kept pestering me. Finally, I relented.
“I sang the ‘Umbrella’ song. I didn’t expect to win. I just did it to please my friends. My friends sent it off to the radio station and I won.
“That was the start of my love for the art of entertaining on stage. I wasn’t in it for the fame or money. I did it because I enjoyed seeing how pleased and proud my friends were. And I loved it.
“The whole singing career was not planned. I didn’t plan to be a singer or a rock star. I’m mostly a very reserved person.
“But now, I do enjoy being on stage. I enjoy singing to the audience, trying my best to connect with them with my words and melody.
Nurul with her guitar.
“I then joined the Singapore Idol 3 talent competition in 2009.
“I got into the final top 10, but I didn’t win. That didn’t stop me from doing what I started to grow to love and wanted to do every day, which is to perform and entertain the public.
“After that, I took on several jobs. It was when I was a sales assistant that Singapore label Kantare Productions signed me up and produced my first album in 2010.”
However, it was only for the Singaporean market.
It wasn’t until last year that local composer and music director kuncidemak spotted her in a video performing a cover of ‘“(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden” (written by Joe South and best known as recorded by country singer Lynn Anderson).
After several meetings, Onyx Garland Sdn Bhd signed her up under the Hikayat Records label.
“I see this as an opportunity for me to expand my voice. Singapore is great but a very small market compared to Malaysia.
“At Hikayat Studio in Kuala Lumpur, I think around November last year, we had a very relaxed jamming session.
“After that, kuncidemak asked if I wanted to join his label. It was as easy as that.”
As a result, Lagu Jiwa Kacau was released recently as a single for the album.
“It is a sad song with a jovial tune, with a little bit of jazz and a splash of bossa nova. We can’t stop such sad episodes from happening. It’s how we recover from them that’s important.”
Huda is currently working hard on the album, which is expected to be out early next year.
“We’re in the process of recording 8-10 songs before we pick and choose for the album coming up early next year. So far, we have recorded five songs, with all the lyrics and music by kuncidemak.”
Discussions are ongoing for four songs from the album to be used in a movie by Grand Brilliance Sdn Bhd, yet to be titled — starring Farid Kamil and Rita Rudaini — which will be out early next year.
The main theme song for the movie, Dan Lagi Cinta will be a duet between Huda and Nashrin Zafri (of the My Starz LG fame).
“It is a very fun experience. Me and Zafrin are also in the process of recording a Raya song. We hope to get it on air as soon as next week. Or if there’s no time left, we’ll jus pop it on YouTube as a tribute to my fans.
“It’s truly been a rollercoaster ride for me. Yet, I know there is a long way for me to go. But I relish the challenge. And I wouldn’t have done it any other way.”
To know more about Huda, visit her fan page on Facebook or check out her videos and instragram Huda Ramdzan.
Lagu Jiwa Kacau will be out on iTunes soon. It is available to download on Maxis CRT (type *131*326031# and hit send).
You May Also Like