Publication: NSUNT
Date of publication: May 4, 2008
Section heading: Main Section
Page number: 18
Byline / Author: By Hafidah Samat
KUALA LUMPUR: Singer and TV personality Faizal Tahir scored big at this year's Anugerah Industri Muzik, held to honour the creme de' la creme of the music industry.
This is the first major AIM victory bagged by a reality TV show talent.
Faizal, who is the product of 8TV's One In A Million, took home awards for Best New Artiste, Best Male Vocal Performance in an Album and Best Rock Album much to the delight of fans at Dewan Merdeka in Putra World Trade Centre last night.
In his acceptance speech, Faizal thanked his fans and expressed his ambition to raise the local music scene to greater heights.
Faizal, who was up for AIM awards in six categories, also won the much-coveted Album of the Year award for his debut album, Aku. Muzik. Kamu.
Hadiah Dari Hati by the industry's darling, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, was named Best Pop Album. Siti was also the jury's choice for Best Female Vocal Performer (In an Album).
Eclecticism by newcomer Melissa Indot and Maulana by Rabbani won Best Local English Album and Best Nasyid Album, respectively.
Multiple award winning composer/producer Fauzi Marzuki was bestowed the prestigious Anugerah Wirama for his lifetime dedication to the music industry.
Fauzi, who started playing music at age 12, has collaborated with the country's A-list singers, including Sheila Majid and Jamal Abdillah.
Rock/hip pop outfit Pop Shuvit received the Anugerah Kembara for its ground-breaking brand of music, which has carved a niche among fans in Japan.
One in a Million winner Suki was named the Most Promising Artiste.
Entertainment was by this year's nominees, who performed in various segments, including Warisan and Tribute. They were backed by musicians led by composer Audrey Suwito.
In its 15th year, the AIM awards was hosted by actor/film director Afdlin Shauki and singer/actress Adibah Noor.
The two-and-a-half-hour award ceremony was aired "live" over ntv7, Hot.fm and Fly.fm.
AWARD WINNERS
Best New Artiste - Faizal Tahir
Most Promising Artiste - Suki
Best Vocal Performance In An Album (Male) - Faizal Tahir (Aku. Muzik. Kamu)
Best Vocal Performance In An Album (Female) - Datuk Siti Nurhaliza (Hadiah dari Hati)
Best Album Cover - Designer Jenny Sun (After 8)
Best Engineered Album - After 8
Best Music Video Director - Sean Chan (album Sangkar)
Best Ethnic Pop Album - Melodi Ahlaan (Waheeda)
Best Nasyid Album - Maulana (Rabbani)
Best Rock Album - Aku. Muzik. Kamu (Faizal Tahir)
Best Pop Album - Hadiah dari Hati (Datuk Siti Nurhaliza )
Best Local English Album - Eclecticism (Melissa Indot)
Best Local Chinese Album - Here I Come (Andrew Tan)
Best Local Indian Album - Kanmani (Martin Zamigano)
Best Malay Song Performed by a Foreign Artiste - Terlalu Cinta (Rossa)
Best Musical Arrangement in a Song (Malay) - Cintamu (Nai Kong)
Best Musical Arrangement in a Song (non-Malay) - Last Breath (Hafiz Hamidun)
Song Of The Year - Izinku Pergi (Kaer Azami)
(END)
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