Award-winning singer recounts journey to success

PETALING JAYA: Popular Malaysian singer-songwriter Zee Avi recently bagged the award for Asean Master Class Performance Artiste of the Year at the Asean Outstanding Business Awards 2023.

The Sarawakian-born performer, whose full name is Izyan Alirahman, has had her tunes featured in many popular movies and television series such as 21 Jump Street, Gossip Girl, Good Doctor and
most notably, local film Ola Bola.

She said she started her career in 2009 when she signed with Brushfire Records, a record label in the US.
Currently, she is a self-funded and independent artiste.

“Brushfire Records were genuine people with a passion for making music, and I am fortunate to have them guide me through the music industry.”

Zee said her success led her to win “Best Original Theme Song”
at both the 28th Malaysia Film Festival and Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival in 2016, for her hit song Arena Cahaya.

The song was featured in Ola Bola, the 10th-highest-grossing Malaysian film of all time, which she cited as her favourite collaborative project.

“I was a big fan of the director Chiu Keng Guan because I enjoyed his previous movie The Journey.

Zee said the inspiration for her songs came from the pages of her diary, and were based on her experiences and relationships.

“Music is not just about putting a melody together. It calls for understanding the kind of stories you wish to tell, and the emotions you would like for it to evoke within yourself.”

After spending almost two decades building her career abroad, Zee returned to Malaysia in 2019 and said her family was the reason she did so.

“Before I made my career move to the US, I was a student in the UK for three years. I have been away from home for more than half my life since I was 18 years old.

“I had a good run. But now, I want to be with my family because my parents are getting old.”

Aside from focusing on her musical pursuits, Zee wants to support local talents by offering advice and lending an ear to aspiring musicians and songwriters who are just starting out.

“I have a 21-year-old brother. He is a talented musician who is at his starting stage. I will be there to support him until he becomes a successful artiste someday.”

Zee also said having a community with people of the same interest and mindset is good for young musicians. “It is important for them to have the support of those around them.”

Her advice to aspiring musicians and songwriters is to explore more while still young.