Another post on one of my respected Malay female singers.

Ning Baizura is no stranger to those who follow closely with Malay music scenes. After some research from wikipedia, her music background was interesting. Unlike those mediocre chinese pop singers you see in chinese music market nowadays where those know how to write a few songs, have a decent look but sucks at singing can be a singer already. Shame....

Ning's voice has a distinctive tone to it and you can immediately recognise her voice. Her singing technique is superb. Just listen to her album, you'll know the reason why she's one of the Diva singers in Malaysia.


(Quoted from Wikipedia)

Ning Baizura Bt Sheikh Hamzah (born 28 June 1975), known as Ning, referred to as Malaysia's "Soul Queen" or the "Malaysian Madonna". She was born in Kajang, Malaysia and is of Arab Malay and Pakistani Javanese descent.

Ning started singing professionally at the age of six by recording radio and television jingles and began formal studies in voice at the age of nine under the renowned Indonesian opera linguist and soprano Siti Chairani for five years. In that time, she also sang with the National Choir at the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan, and was offered a full scholarship in music at the prestigious Vienna Conservatoire (which she had to unfortunately turn down). At the age of 16, Ning had won the 'Best Artiste Development' award at the prestigious Voice Of Asia Competition.

Ning crossed over into the commercial scene in 1992 and became a recording artiste under various international labels (Sony, BMG, AMS Records Japan, and currently Warner Music), where she recorded within the genres of pop and R&B. Her discography includes nine full studio albums (two of which are full English albums), as well as numerous compilations. Ning has also won various industry awards and prizes, and has performed in the UK, Italy, France, China, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Ning is best known for her live stage performances, an extensive repertoire and her versatility especially in cross-over projects. She is also an actor and has taken roles in a musical, seven major films, a short film and several tele-movies. Most significant is her critically acclaimed performance in the short film 'Malaikat Di Jendela', directed by Osman Ali. The short film had participated in several film festivals in Cannes, Rotterdam and Singapore. Beside singing and acting, Ning is also a violinist and played 1st violin in the National Youth Orchestra in her teens.

She has been the brand ambassador for several brands in the Malaysian and Singaporean market, most significant among them are Sony Truvox (1992), Guess? (1994 - 1999), Addidas (1996 - 1998), Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix (2003 - 2004), The Singapore Tourism Board (2004)and TIME dotNet Berhad (2003 - 2005). She also has had strong brand associations with Christian DIOR couture, Christian DIOR parfums, the Carat Club and REDKEN in the past. Ning is currently the brand ambassador for SSANGYONG and was recently appointed the Judo Ambassador by the Judo Association of Selangor to create awareness of self-defence for women.

In 2006, Ning has set up her own recording company, 'Artiste United Records (AUR)'. Her stable of artistes are her proteges, Nicolette Palikat or 'Nikki' from Malaysian Idol Season 1) and Yanie (from Mentor Season 1). Ning is currently in the midst of recording her latest studio album.

*********************************

I'd like to share one of my favorite Ning's song, called Selagi Ada Cinta. A song written together by her and Malay music industry lovebirds, Ajai & Nurul.

The arrangement is very good and compliments the song very well. A job well done.





SELAGI ADA CINTA (Ning Baizura/Ajai/Nurul)


Telah ku lakukan semuanya kasih
Telah ku korbankan segalanya
Namun ku sendiri tak pernah mengerti
Apa yang engkau fikirkan
Apa yang engkau inginkan


Ku tahu kau tak pernah setia (kasih)
Ku tahu diriku tak bererti
Namun ku sendiri tak pernah mengerti
Apa yang engkau fikirkan
Apa yang engkau inginkan


Selagi ada cinta di hatiku
Selagi ada rindu yang membara
Selagi air mata ini mengalir
Kau tetap di hati ini
Cintamu tetap di hati


Selagi ku mampu bertahan kekasih
Jangan sampai cinta tiada lagi
Jika memang cinta tiada lagi (kasih)
Tinggalkan aku sendiri...
Tinggalkan cintamu kasih


Selagi ada cinta di hatiku
Selagi ada rindu yang membara
Selagi ku mampu bertahan kasih
Ku terima segalanya
Walau hatiku merana


Check out her site here.