WHEN an artiste says “no” and gives input to the creative process, it does not necessarily mean he or she is “demanding or spoilt”.
Award-winner Ernie Zakri, 26, initially felt that being “docile” was a vital trait in the music industry, until she realised that being “too nice” did not get her anywhere.
“With experience and maturity, I’ve gradually come to realise that it is all right to be a little assertive.
“After all, it is my career and the artiste ought to have a say in her music direction,” said Ernie at the launch of the music video for her latest single Ku Bersuara in a restaurant in Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur recently.
Ernie’s newfound confidence has come with her success at Anugerah Juara Lagu 32 (AJL32) last January.
In the annual TV3 music awards, she took home Best Vocals with her duet partner Syamel Fodzly for the romantic ballad Aku Cinta, written and composed by the Akademi Fantasia 2015 runner-up himself.
This song was written by Syamel shortly after he and Ernie won Astro Ria’s celebrity duet challenge Duo Star in February last year.
Ernie said: “I’ve been in the music industry for nine years, having won Bintang RTM 2009. The album Sinaran came two years later but things moved rather slow, until Duo Star came along.”
SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION
She describes her collaboration with Syamel in Duo Star as “the day her presence was truly noticed”.
“After our victory in Duo Star, more music lovers began to take notice of me. These days, I’m happy to hear roaring applause at every showcase I appear in.”
Ernie said competing in Duo Star and AJL32 “empowered” her because, as Syamel’s team-mate, she had to be part of the creative process.
“This means I had to give our songs and performances a fair share of my ideas. At every turn, Syamel encouraged me to have my say. In fact, he accepted my ideas quite often.
On Ku Bersuara, Ernie said it was yet another collaboration with Syamel, just that she sang it “100 per cent”.
“The song was my idea. I told Syamel shortly after AJL32 that I’d love to sing one of his compositions, with a meaningful theme behind it.
“He quickly came up with Ku Bersuara, which speaks loud and clear about women’s empowerment and standing up to abusive spouses,” said Ernie.
Ernie describes her new single as a soulful tune, which literally means “I Speak”.
“Speaking means asserting yourself in the face of bullying. In other words, standing up for your rights, and being true to yourself.
“On the surface, it’s an anthem against spousal abuse but going deeper, it is all about holding my ground and making my own decisions.”
Ku Bersuara, co-written and co-composed by Syamel, Omar K, Blaine Bakri and John Jeevasingam, marks Ernie’s debut as a talent under Rocketfuel Entertainment, which also manages Syamel.
ACTING OUT
She officially became a Rocketfuel artiste last July, and is happy that the company “values her feedback in every song”.
Ernie said: “The best thing about Ku Bersuara is not only its message but also the fantastic music video directed by Izuan Mokhtar. It marks the first time I’m acting, albeit on a small scale.”
The seven-minute music video was filmed over 20 hours last month in Cafe Cafe, Jalan Maharajalela, Kuala Lumpur.
It tells the story of a woman (Ernie) who is frequently abused by her husband (actor Que Haidar). She ultimately leaves him and lodges a police report, which leads to his arrest.
“Once again, I gave a lot of feedback on the making of the video.” she said.
“As for Que, I was overjoyed when I learnt that he was going to be my co-star. He is one of my favourite actors.
Ernie admitted that she initially felt “intimidated” by Que, who is known to be a no-nonsense perfectionist.
“Fortunately, he was easy to work with, and he told me that the key to good acting was to put my heart and soul into my character.
“Thus, I imagined myself to be a victim of vicious bullying, and screamed for mercy each time he ‘turned’ into an abusive man,” she said.
Ernie earned praises from Que who even encouraged her to try her luck in acting someday.
“Acting in that video was fun, even if I got bruised, swollen and bloodied, courtesy of make-up. I don’t mind acting in dramatic music videos, or even in musical theatre but singing will always be my first love.”
On her future plans, Ernie said a second duet with Syamel was in the pipeline. The song is composed by Aubrey Suwito.
“It will be released in the first quarter of next year,” 1she said.
“I’ll also be recording some singles throughout 2019. Hopefully, my next album will be launched at the end of next year.”
Ernie also plans to have a showcase in a major concert venue next year.
“It’ll be an Ernie and Friends show, and Syamel will definitely come on board, together with our talented contemporaries.”
WINNING ENDORSEMENT
While Ernie and Syamel have been described as a “formidable team”, Ernie does not want to confine herself to one duet partner.
She hopes to sing with other outstanding male vocalists as Hael Husaini, Aizat Amdan and Akim Ahmad, as well as female vocalists Idayu Yaakob, Stacy Anam and Jaclyn Victor one day.
“Slowly but surely, I will want to write and compose my own music. Omar and Syamel have encouraged me to do so but I don’t feel confident yet.”
When asked about pop queen Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza’s suggestion that she sing her hit song Anta Permana at Muzik Muzik 34 next year, Ernie said it was a “heavy responsibility” but one which she would readily accept.
“It’s always an honour to perform Siti’s song. I’m thankful to her, and promise to do my best at Muzik Muzik 34.”
Rocketfuel music label head Feros said Ernie’s vocal prowess was bound to capture the attention of music lovers.
“We have no doubt that she can deliver a ballad as Ku Bersuara brilliantly.
“We are always confident of her strength and talent, and hope the song will be well-received, and better still, her popular collaborator and duet partner Syamel is involved in the project.”
Ku Bersuara is fully produced by Rocketfuel and has been on the airwaves since Dec 7.
The music video has just arrived on Rocketfuel’s YouTube channel and is expected to appear on all television channels soon.
Ernie graduated from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) with a music diploma in 2013. Besides singing, she teaches music at the Bentley Music Academy in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.