SHAH ALAM: Borneo's top songstress Dayang Nurfaizah may stand a chance to win Best Vocals again in Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL) in February.
This is because her poignant song about unrequited love, Separuh Mati Ku Bercinta, is among the 12 songs which have made it to TV3’s annual music awards.
"It'll be great to win Best Vocals once again, but I'm definitely not taking any chances, as competition is getting tougher now," said Dayang after the 12 Anugerah Juara Lagu songs were announced at Sri Pentas 2, Plaza Alam Sentral here last night.
Dayang is the defending champion for Best Vocals, having bagged the title in the last three seasons of AJL.
Meanwhile, Caliph Buskers lead singer Azmi said he always had a feeling that his song, Sejati, written, composed and originally performed by Faizal Tahir, would make it to the finals.
"Faizal is a known winner. It's sad that he can't sing it at AJL, but I'm always honoured to do the job for him - there's so much raw emotion in this song!"
Wany Hasrita, whose catchy song Menahan Rindu also made it to the finals, said she didn't think she did a good job performing it at the semi-finals and considered herself "very lucky".
"It's good to have made it to the Top 12, and all I can promise fans is, I'll work harder to give a better performance in February!" she said.
Akim Ahmad of Akim And The Majistret said his band’s hit Lagu Untuk Laila continued their “poetic lyrics tradition” which won them Best Song for Potret two years ago.
"We always give our lyrics a lot of thought and effort. We'll do better in the finals next year!"
Hael Husaini, whose self-penned and self-composed effort Jampi also made it to the awards show, said it was a "bonanza" for him, as he was a first-timer.
Duo Star winners Syamel Fodzly and Ernie Zakri were also overjoyed to be in the awards show.
Ernie said: "It'll be a great chance for Syamel and I to show music lovers how we've grown as a team since Duo Star concluded.”
"We promise everyone that our performance, Aku Cinta, will be more of a blast than usual!" added Syamel.
The 12 songs were announced at the end of the third weekly semi-finals concert of Muzik Muzik 32 yesterday by co-hosts Hefny Sahad and Sherry Al-Hadad.
AJL 32 will be held at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur on Feb 11.
The 12 songs in Anugerah Juara Lagu were judged by a seven-member professional jury headed by Datuk Mokhzani Ismail.
Below are the 12 songs of AJL32 (singer / composer / lyricist):
* Sejati — Azmi Caliph Buskers / Faizal Tahir and Mike Chan / Faizal Tahir and Mike Chan;
* Aku Yang Sebenar — Hazama And The Penglipurlara / Ad Samad / Datuk M. Nasir;
* Segalanya — Haqiem Rusli / Ibnu, Gouffran / Ibnu, Gouffran and Danny;
* Separuh Mati Ku Bercinta — Dayang Nurfaizah / Ajai / Ajai;
* Lebih Sempurna — Syamel Fodzly / Syamel Fodzly / Syamel Fodzly;
* Lagu Untuk Laila — Akim And The Majistret / Hang Nadim / Hang Nadim and Laq;
* Aku Cinta — Syamel Fodzly and Ernie Zakri / Syamel Fodzly / Syamel Fodzly;
* Jampi - Hael Husaini / Hael Husaini and Ezra Kong / Hael Husaini and Ezra Kong;
* Amboi - Altimet /Navigator / Altimet;
* Akhirnya Cinta - Salma Asis / Ajai / Slen;
* Menahan Rindu - Wany Hasrita / Ibnu and Gouffran / Ibnu and Gouffran;
* Bayang - Khai Bahar / Harry Khalifah / Patrick Anahoda.