POPULAR actress and singer Nur Fazura Sharifuddin who has recorded several singles since 2014, has released her latest single Can’t Forget Me today.
The single, which was recorded in Los Angeles in the US last September, is her maiden effort in co-writing the lyrics with Los Angeles-based duo Willy Beaman and Cameron Forbes.
While Forbes is responsible for American rapper Tyga’s single Taste, Beaman is best known for producing songs for American artistes such as Greyson, Nico & Vinz, Demi Lovato and Nicki Minaj.
“When I was told that I’d be working with Willy and Cameron, I was speechless. But thankfully, they were down to earth and that made it a breeze to work with them in that short time frame.
“The fact that I had the same people who worked with some of my favourite international artistes working on my single, was just amazing. I had to pinch myself over and over again. It still feels so surreal!” she exclaims.
“It was an amazing opportunity and the two really brought out the best of the song with their magic touch,” she adds.
“After flying in from New York for another engagement, we only had five hours to brainstorm about the single before I hit the recording studio,” recounts Fazura.
Despite not having sufficient rest and sleep, she recorded the tune the following day.
“My schedule was tight so I had to make sure everything went as planned. On the third night, I was already on the plane returning to Malaysia,” says the 35-year-old.
SELF-EMPOWERING MESSAGE
Fazura has always wanted to write lyrics about the need to channel one’s strength and the importance of self-loving.
“I want to spread the self-empowerment message. And the theme revolves around loving yourself and staying strong despite the hurdles that come your way. Sometimes it may be hard to remain positive, especially when you’re dealing with so much,” she says.
“The lyrics were also inspired by many amazing women whom I’ve come to know and who still managed to find strength to celebrate themselves, despite going through immense pain and heartbreak,” she adds.
And this song is not just for the ladies, says Fazura. “It’s also for those who are going through a hard time, and I hope fans will enjoy it as much as I do,” she says, adding
She enjoys singing in English more due to its wider reach globally.
While music transcends language barrier, Fazura feels it is better when the message in the lyrics is understood by more listeners.
THE MAKING OF MUSIC VIDEO
Filmed entirely in Malaysia, the music video for Can’t Forget Me is directed by Fabian Joseph whom Fazura has worked with in previous projects.
“Since we’ve known each other for some time, we understood what we both wanted. The whole filming process took about 20 hours to complete, despite a minor mishap on the set,” she says.
A minor injury on her shin bone did not stop the go-getter from continuing with filming.
“I insisted to carry on as I wanted to finish it as scheduled,” she says, admitting that the production team had expressed concern about her condition.
Fazura’s record label Universal Music which had forked out a substantial amount for the music video is hopeful that the single will attain much success.
“The cost of making Can’t Forget Me’s music video is similar to making four regular music videos,” says Universal Music Group’s managing director Kenny Ong, adding that the amount spent is worthy of Fazura’s star stature.
PLANS FOR 2019
For now, Fazura is focused on aggressively promoting Can’t Forget Me.
“I’m also hoping to come out with few more singles before a full album can be released later in the year,” she says.
Now that she has had some experience in songwriting, Fazura is thinking about writing a song for her better half, fellow actor-singer Fattah Amin, 27.
“I don’t have a title or the full lyrics yet, but yes, I have already started on it. I’m dedicating it to him,” she says, smiling.
The Legend Of Pontianak, a horror which she starred in and filmed last year, will be released after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Helmed by Singaporean director Glenn Goei, it sees Fazura playing a vampire alongside Remy Ishak, Hisyam Hamid, Nadia Aqilah, and Tony Eusoff, who make up the main cast.
Fazura is also down to not only starring in another Indonesian film, but this time around, she is set to play the leading role.
“I can’t reveal the details yet, but I’m thrilled to play the lead,” she says.
Fazura has acted in several Indonesian productions such as Bulan Terbelah Di Langit Amerika (2015), Warkop DKI Reborn: Jangkrik Boss Part 1 (2016), Rafathar (2017), Warkop DKI Reborn: Jangkrik Boss Part 2 (2017) and Ayat-Ayat Cinta 2 (2017).
She is also in the midst of preparing for her performance at the Elmina Lakeside Concert, happening tomorrow at Elmina Central Park in Shah Alam at 8pm.
Fazura will be sharing the stage with Westlife’s Shane Filan and another performer whose identity has yet to be revealed.
“I will be singing six songs, but I won’t be performing a duet with him (Filan). I’m excited as I’ve been told that about 3,500 to 5,000 are expected to attend the concert. Please come and join in the party,” she says enthusiastically.
A STAR IS BORN
Fazura began her journey in the entertainment industry by hosting TV show Teen’s World and taking minor acting roles including appearing as a talent in KRU’s music video Impak Maksima in 2002.
It was director Datuk Rosnani Jamil who offered her to star in Bicara Hati, a movie premiered in 2004 in which she played the leading role opposite Zamarul Hisham and Nick Mikhail.
The role earned her the Best New Actress trophy at the 17th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM 17) in the same year.
The following year, Fazura received more acting roles in both the small and big screens, such as Raja Ahmad Alauddin’s Qaisy & Laila, Bernard Chauly’s Gol & Gincu and Rashid Sibir’s Inspirion. She also went on to star in Gol & Gincu The Series on TV.
More TV dramas and films as well as hosting TV programmes came along including Datin Diaries, Kasih Suci, Tahajjud Cinta, MTV Jus, MTV Pop Inc., Pisau Cukur and Lagenda Budak Setan.
In 2014, she was chosen to star in E!’s first Malaysian miniseries Facing Up To Fazura, which premiered across Asia on the cable network.
In the same year, she won Best Actress at the 27th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM 27) for her role in the movie Manisnya Cinta Di Cappadoccia.
That year too saw her venturing into singing, releasing her debut single Sayangi Dirimu.
Fazura went on to release more singles including Bangun, Bisa Apa and Bulan Terbelah Di Langit Amerika.
She also collaborated with few artistes on singles — Hancur Aku (with Estranged in 2015), Like Fireflies (Ning Baizura and Singaporean singer Taufik Batisah, 2016), Nothing Like Pag-ibig (Filipino Jason Dy, 2017), Cinderella (Fattah Amin, 2017), Cinta Langka (Indonesian Ariadinata of group Samsons, 2017), and The Good Is Back (international acclaimed Indonesian singer Anggun, 2018).
Can’t Forget Me is now available on iTunes and can be streamed via Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, JOOX and KKBOX. The music video will be released on Jan 25.