In collaboration with PASSIONS, VOICE OF ASIA is proud to present timeless articles from the archives, reproduced digitally for your reading pleasure. Originally published in PASSIONS Volume 44, we present this story on Ning Baizura, artiste and all-rounder performer.
Of the many female artistes and performers in Malaysian entertainment history, perhaps the one for whom the word ‘diva’ is most suited is none other than Ning Baizura. It is not because she has a powerful set of vocal chords which has seen her wow audiences in Malaysia as well as far off as Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, China, the UK, France and Italy. It is not because she has successfully proven herself in both the world of music and the world of film. Instead, Ning Baizura is a diva in the original sense of the word – that is a goddess – because she has that star quality which makes her larger than life.
There are, however, many ways way Ning (as she is fondly known as) does not fit the popular meaning of being a diva. Despite being one of Malaysia’s most recognised and best-selling artistes, there are no airs about her. Meeting up with her, PASSIONS felt as though we were reacquainting ourselves with an old friend, such was the depth of her warm, jovial and extremely down-to-earth personality.
Her accomplishments speak for themselves. Renowned for her work in pop and R&B music, Ning boasts 12 full-studio albums (three of which are in English), as well as numerous awards including ones from the prestigious Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM – Music Industry Awards). Apart from that, she has also successfully crossed-over to the world of theatre and film, with her breakthrough role coming in the film Malaikat di Jendela (An Angel by the Window), where she played a woman ostracised by her village because of her AIDS-stricken husband.
Amazingly, and perhaps as a reflection of her drive and determination, she has even ventured into the world of business. In 2006, she set up her own recording company – Artiste United Records (AUR) – which has budding starlets from popular talent shows such as Mentor, Akademi Fantasia and Malaysian Idol under contract. And then there is HappeNings – her own event management company, which also doubles as a production house and record label.
As Ning told us, “The passion for my work drives me. I have an insatiable hunger to do my best, to be different, and to satisfy my fans”. In June this year, she put a smile on the faces of her many adherents with Dewa – her first studio album in three years, and the first released by HappeNings.
Speaking on the album, Ning revealed that it is, “a journey to my soul and a reflection of my last eighteen years as a recording artiste”. It is also a very ambitious effort, as it is a paradigm shift from her past albums. “The genre of Dewa is electro-pop, which is not very common in the mainstream Malay music scene,” she told us.
And that only goes to show why Ning Baizura is a trend-setter, because she has the courage of her convictions to walk the road less travelled by. But then again, she has always dared to be different. After all, before she came on the scene, no other female Malay performer had that aura of raw sex appeal she brought to the stage.
Through her concerts, Ning is set to show why she is remains the most dynamic force on the Malaysian stage. Her fans – old and new – are definitely in for a treat, because whatever else, Ning never fails to entertain. And she will do it her way.
