Singer-songwriter Faizul Razali has made an outstanding mark in the local music scene with his song ‘Suluh’, sweeping eight titles from four categories at the recent Express E-Hits Awards of the Creative Media Festival.
Among his notable wins are the coveted Champion of E-Hits, Best E-Hits Performance and Best E-Hits Lyrics.
In an interview, Faizul said that ‘Suluh’, which means a guiding light, is a song deeply rooted in spirituality. For him, the song is a metaphor for finding one’s way back to the right path.
“No matter how flawed a person may be, Allah is forgiving and merciful. This message can inspire and guide people in different aspects of their lives,” he explained.
He further said that ‘Suluh’ was written in under thirty minutes, though the recording took about a month to perfect. The attention to detail in its production ensured the song delivered an emotional impact that resonated deeply with listeners.
Not only did Faizul compose and write the song, but he also directed the music video, earning additional awards for Best Music Video under the Pelangi Awards.
Faizul’s Best E-Hits Performance win was a testament to his ability to translate the heart of ‘Suluh’ into a compelling live experience. Reflecting on the performance, he shared that the focus was to convey emotions and set the mood, allowing the audience to be fully immersed.
The performance incorporated synchronised dancing, an LED setup, and evocative stage lighting, complemented by the singer’s expressive vocals.
“I embraced the concept of ‘less is more,’ ensuring every element worked together seamlessly. This allowed people to connect deeply with the song’s message,” he added.
Furthermore, the lyrics were another key factor, thanks to the song’s innovative structure and poetic language. “The arrangement of phrases, the beautifully crafted language, and the vocal techniques all came together to highlight the uniqueness of this song,” he said.
Another defining characteristic of ‘Suluh’ is its progressive flow. Unlike most songs, it features no repetitive lyrics or melodies. Each segment is unique and continues to evolve from start to finish.
Winning eight trophies in a single night was an emotional and surreal experience for the singer-songwriter.
“It went far beyond my expectations. What unfolded was truly unimaginable,” he shared. While he commended the Express E-Hits Awards as an excellent platform for recognising local talent, Faizul suggested that dividing 21 categories across separate events could better preserve the prestige and individuality of each.
The Express E-Hits Awards was organised by the state broadcaster Radio Television Brunei as part of the Creative Media Festival (FMK), alongside two other competitions, the Pelangi Awards and Brunei Music Video (BruMV).
Other festival winners include the group D3VO for Best E-Hits Vocal; Fauzan Aziz and Muhammad Adam for Best Music Video and Best Concept and Videography; and Adlina Tunggal, Azim Tunggal and Kay Tunggal for Creativity/Overall Performance for the BruMV awards.
Meanwhile, BDRM MUSE was Best New Artist; The Pujanggas feat Jaz for Inspirational Song; Faizul Razali for Best Music Video; The Pujanggas feat Jaz as Best Group; Fakhrul Razi for Best Male Vocalist; Ezah Hashim as Best Female Vocalist and Best Song; and Stay by Browne feat Sa’adah for Best English Song for the Pelangi Awards.
In attendance at FMK was the Acting Permanent Secretary (Civil Service Governance) at the Prime Minister’s Office Pengiran Haji Raffizanna Pengiran Haji Razali.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
