Zahid: After a three-year wait, Ahmad Zahid Baharuddin (AF winner in 2004) recently released his second album titled Baru ’08 and is currently dabbling in songwriting for other singers such as Bob AF2 and Syawal.
Zahid has also ventured into a couple of projects with his sister, including setting up a kindergarten and a wedding planning business.
Comprising eight songs (mostly ballads infused with R&B and rock) the long-awaited album, Zahid Baru '08, sees a detour from Zahid’s image as a hip hop/pop artiste.
Baru ‘08 is produced by Maestro Records and distributed by EMI (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
It includes ballads such as Hadir Dirimu (self-composed by Zahid ) and Cintaku Untukmu (written by Ajai).
According to Zahid, the new album aims to correct the misconception that he is a hip-hop/pop artiste.
“I realise that people know me as a hip-hop artiste,” he said.
To further prove his point, he said songs which he performed at the Akademi Fantasia 2 concerts, in which he emerged winner for the show’s second season, also included pop.
“One of the songs that I sang in the final of AF2 was a ballad, so I hope people can see that I’m capable of singing other types of songs.”
Other songs in the album include a medley of two numbers Teratai and Istana Menanti, songs made famous by Ramli Sarip and Rahim Maarof respectively.
“I was lucky because the album’s music arrangement was done by Eddie Marzuki, a well-known musician,” said Zahid.
Of the eight songs in the album, two are infused with rock. They are Baru and Mr Automatic, composed by Audi Mok and Azzan Addin, respectively.
“I needed a change in musical direction for the new album. For Baru ‘08, I got to choose the composers I wanted to work with. Since I have always wanted to work with Ajai, who is famous for writing ballads, I decided to record his song.
“I try to understand what fans want. I notice that people enjoy listening to ballads, so I want to cater to that market. Besides, it will make me more marketable because artistes who sing ballads are in demand for evening and corporate shows,” he added.
During the interview, Zahid was also teased about his friendship with fellow artiste and singer, Nita, a finalist on Malaysian Idol.
“I’m comfortable with her. We understand each other well,” he said, refusing to elaborate.
When prodded further, he said: “For now, we prefer to stay as close friends, and an announcement will be made when the time comes.”
Fair enough.
Track List:
1. Baru
2. Hadir Dirimu
3. Kau
4. Secukup Rasa
5. Seperti Mereka
6. Cintaku Untukmu
7. M. Automatic
8. Medley Teratai & Istana Menanti
Download | Zahid - Baru08 (Full Album)
Download | Zahid - Baru08 (Full Album)
Download | OST Ayat Ayat Cinta (Full Album)
Ayat Ayat Cinta is a beautifully portrayed Islamic love story – a tale of a virtuous Muslim protagonist who overcomes all obstacles of life maintaining pure ideals.
Fahri bin Abdillah is a poor, intelligent student who wins a scholarship to complete his graduate degree at Egypt's esteemed Al Azhar University. Very disciplined and dedicated by nature, Fahri embraces his life in Cairo, completing his studies and translation of religious books with full enthusiasm, exactly according to pre-determined targets.
Only one goal is left unattempted: the pursuit of marriage.
For Fahri is innocent and pure, and doesn't believe in the concept of relationships prior to marriage. He is inarticulate and shy around women. All his life, only two women have been close to him – his mother and grandmother.
Life changes drastically in Egypt for he suddenly finds himself surrounded by four beautiful, distinctly different women.
Maria Girgis, a shy, open-minded Coptic-Christian neighbor who is attracted to the teachings of the Holy Al Quran, finds herself falling in love with Fahri (a fact she only reveals to her diary).
Nurul, a student at Al Azhar like Fahri, is the Muslim daughter of a renowned Indonesian cleric. Fahri feels unworthy of her and thus ignores his feelings for her, leaving her confused and guessing.
Noura, an abused Egyptian neighbor, develops strong romantic feelings for Fahri, who in turn simply sympathizes with her situation. His romantic rejection destroys her and eventually leads to a false accusation of rape.
Aisha, a German Turkish student in Cairo haunts Fahri with her beautiful eyes. Following an incident on the metro where Fahri defends her against narrow minded bigoted Muslims, both immediately develop feelings for each other.
As the story unravels, the protagonist makes the audience face the daunting decisions he himself faces, and forces us to marvel at his undying loyalty to the true ideals of Islam as he ultimately makes the choice of a lifetime.
Track List:
01 Ayat Ayat Cinta - Rossa
02 Jalan Cinta - Sherina
03 Takdir Cinta - Rossa
04 Tercipta Untukku (Acc. Version) - Ungu Ft Rossa
05 Andai Ku Tahu (Original Master) - Ungu
06 Opening Scene (Music Scoring)
07 Letter From Noura (Music Scoring)
08 Thalagi (Music Scoring)
09 The Basket (Music Scoring)
10 Ayat Ayat Cinta (Minus One)
11 Jalan Cinta (Minus One)
12 Takdir Cinta (Minus One)
Download | OST Ayat Ayat Cinta (Full Album)
