KUALA LUMPUR: Popular 1990s girl group Elite is back with its original five members, at least for Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2021.
Elite's founder members Sasha Saidin, 45, Watie Sadali, 45, Abby Abadi, 44, Linda Rafar, 43, and Azza Zawari, 43, have reunited to record a new Hari Raya single, Alhamdulillah.
In a news report yesterday, Abby said that their get-together was also to commemorate the group's 25th anniversary, and to rekindle their friendship which had always been strong.
"We've not done anything together as a team for two decades, and it's great that all five original members have unanimously decided to come back, at least for a song," said Abby, who is best known for playing Inspector Aleeza in Gerak Khas.
"Our new song isn't a throwback to the 1990s but reflects who we are today, stronger, more mature and more spiritual."
Watie said that Alhamdulillah, composed by Noura and Rayyan Rayhan, was aimed at spreading positive messages to fans, and thanking them for their support.
"Even though it's a spiritual song, it still has hip-hop and pop elements in it, for that's Elite's trademark," she said.
Watie added that it was initially difficult for the five of them to record the song as they had not visited the studios for ages.
"But we gradually warmed up and the recording process went smoothly. We also did a music video, as we did back then."
Alhamdulillah, produced by Imaan Music, the Islamic music label of KRU Music, will be launched on all digital platforms on April 19.
Elite was formed in 1996, and has released four studio albums to date.
Its best known songs include Pasti, Lihatlah Dunia, Tamparan Wanita and Dirinya Dirimu Diriku.