HIS stage name, Razak A’ai , is unusual. Many think it has something to do with his Borneo heritage. Well, they are partly right. Budding singer-songwriter Abdul Razak Abdul Hadi reveals that ‘A’ai’ comes from the acronym of his full name and it’s pronounced that way in the Sarawak Malay dialect.
“I could have called myself Razak Arah but then I’d sound like someone who orders people around! So I decided to call myself Razak A’ai,” he declares.
Razak is the second of three siblings and the only son of a single mother. He has been busking around Kuala Lumpur and Kuching since he was 18.
He has two singles under his belt, Terus Menunggu (released in 2014) and Aku Setia (which he wrote and composed in 2018 and released late last year).
“Both songs are about my musical journey. Terus Menunggu was about facing the challenges of busking in KL, far away from home, and feeling homesick in the process. Aku Setia is my message to my mother and sisters, telling them that I won’t give up chasing my dreams and I won’t forget my Kuching roots either,” he says.
MELODIC INSPIRATION
Razak has a deep and manly voice like his favourite Indonesian crooner Cakra Khan. Family and close friends often call him “Cakra”.
“Cakra is my idol. They say I sound a lot like him but I don’t imitate him.”
Razak is also likened to Louis Armstrong as he sings What A Wonderful World in the style of the legendary American singer.
“No, please don’t call me Louis Armstrong! I’m light years away from this giant of American music. He’s one in a million.”
Razak, who studied at Sekolah Menengah Bandar Seri Alam, Masai, Johor, loves pop-rock as well as ballads.
He grew up listening to crooners from Indonesia such as Broery Marantika, Cakra, Marcell, Judika and Bob Tutupoly, as well as rock bands like Dewa, Ungu and Peterpan. He performed in school concerts and wrote his first songs when he was 15.
“To date, I've penned 20 songs, but not all of them have been put to music,” he says, adding that he learnt the piano during his teens and is a self-taught guitarist.
“My mother has always been my biggest fan. I often sang at birthday events of cousins and friends. But when I chose to go busking in Peninsular Malaysia, she initially objected as she feared for my safety.
“Nevertheless, I convinced her that I would be all right as I was not alone and I would be performing with groups of buskers.
Razak mostly busked at the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur.
“I also sang along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, at the Central Market and in Bukit Bintang,” he adds.
However, homesickness got the better of him in 2017 and he returned to Kuching.
“My mum was delighted. However, I didn’t give up busking and continued to do so around my hometown and Miri,” he says.
MOVING ON WITH MUSIC
In Kuching, Razak managed to network better with the local singer-songwriter community.
“This led to offers to perform in various showcases. I also made several trips to KL with fellow musicians from Sarawak. For example, I sang in a Federal Territories Day gig in KL two years ago,” he says, adding that he also appeared on television shows twice.
Razak does not believe in joining reality talent shows or talent searches.
“Winning a reality talent show or talent search only takes you a short distance. After some time, you just fade away.
“Creating your own music and performing on your own in public means you chart your own path and be your own boss. Slowly but steadily, you will build up your fan base.”
While he believes that talent is the key to a musician’s success, personal grooming is vital as well.
“If you have the looks but not the talent, you won’t go far. But if you have the talent and you don’t look good, music lovers will not be attracted to you too.
“An established singer-songwriter gave me this advice during my busking days in KL. When you look good, you feel good and consequently you go all out to entertain fans.”
Ever think of forming your own pop-rock band?
“I'm not a team player. I’m perfectly happy being a soloist,” he says.
When asked about his favourite Malaysian artistes, Razak lists Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Faizal Tahir, Aizat Amdan, Hael Husaini, Hafiz Suip and Dayang Nurfaizah.
“They are the singers I dream of collaborating with one day.”
Razak’s dream is to enter Anugerah Juara Lagu and also compose music for drama series and films.
“And I’d love to perform in Singapore. That’s where Datuk M. Nasir and Datuk Ramli Sarip, my favourite otais, grew up musically.
“As for Indonesia, I’d love to perform there again, having visited Jakarta for a mini showcase last year.”
Razak engages with netizens via his three-year-old YouTube channel. However, he admits he has been inactive of late.
“From this year onwards, I hope to pay more attention to my channel.”