TNP Shadows
Posted on
May 10, 2007
{5/10/2007 09:26:00 AM} Yesterday The New Paper published an article about our main man, Imran Ajmain, and the write-up (not Imran) mentioned a few things that might make a Taufik fan cringe. We're here to fix it, don't worry!
Imran Ajmain Steps Out Of Taufik's Shadow
Sheela Narayanansheela@sph.com.sg
The New Paper
9 May 2007
Anugerah Planet Muzik 2007
Hi-hop artiste's debut album pulls in 7 nominations against former S'pore Idol's 5 nods
These days, Imran Ajmain can't stop grinning like a Cheshire cat. A year and a half ago, many would have had trouble remembering the 26 year old's name.
He was known in hip hop circles as the director of Beats Society, an organization he set up to raise awareness of local hip hop music, and as a singer-songwriter.
As an artiste, he was in the shadow of Singapore Idol winner Taufik Batisah.
But his independently produced debut album, Dengan Secara Kebetulan (By Pure Coincidence) has changed that for him.
Imran has scored seven nominations at the Singapore Malay Grammys, Anugerah Planet Muzik (APM) that will be held on 8 June at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
For the first time in the awards show's seven-year existence, there is a high number of Singapore nominations.
Imran has even beaten compatriot Taufik, also 26 who is featured in five categories.
Imran is the songwriter for the latter's two Malay tracks - Sombong (Proud) and Usah Lepaskan (Don't let Go) - on his sophomore album, All Because of You.
He also shares nominations with local hip-hop duo Sleeq.
Imran told The New Paper that he was incredulous when his name kept cropping up during last month's APM press conference when nominees were announced.
"I think I will be going a little crazy on (awards day).
"I hope I at least win in one category."
Imran will be up against regional players in categories like Best New Male Artiste and Most Popular Song.
He is excited about the latter category, which is decided by public SMS votes, as he is up against Siti Nurhaliza, Mawi, M Nasir and Indonesian singers like Agnes Monica.
If there is one indication of the growing buzz surrounding Imran, it's that he can't go shopping in peace anymore.
The happily embarrassed young man recounted a midnight grocery shopping jaunt at 24-hour mall Mustafa Centre last week which turned into mini fan frenzy.
"I was going to buy instant prata at the supermarket and this father stopped me by the onion container and asked me if I could take a picture with his two daughters and sign an autograph.
"Four other people spotted him doing it and they came over to take their pictures with me and asked for autographs too," said Imran.
He didn't get his instant prata in the end.
Another signal that his popularity is on the rise came on his birthday last month.
Birthday Sneakers
He was inundated with the bags of presents, including a pair of white size 11 sneakers, which fit him perfectly.
He said with a combination of pride and bashfulness: "I wrote on my blog once that someone had stolen my shoes, I wrote. 'Who would have size 11 feet?'
"I cant believe some of the fans remembered that."
His fans have even set up a fan site dedicated to him, with a link to his MySpace site.
Imran's APM nominations have even garnered interest in Indonesia, and he's in talks with a Jakarta label to market and distribute his album in the country. It is also making the rounds on Malaysian radio at the moment.
To leverage on the awards show, he is repackaging and reprinting Dengan Secara Kebetulan for a June release.
To date, most of the 3,000 copies from the first print have been sold out.
Not bad for a guy who was booted out of the first season of Singapore Idol, which his friend Taufik went on to win.
But he thinks Taufik will triumph in at least one APM category, where winners will be decided by SMS votes.
"Taufik has superfans." Imran said, referring to the star's supporters, who voted him as the Most Popular Male Artiste at last year's APM.
But Imran seemed pretty happy that his idol ambitions were cut short.
He said: "If had been on a reality television show, I don't think the buzz would have been as a big as this.
"I had to set my own standards. I didn't follow a template of someone else's plans."
"While Imran may prize his indie music-making style, he admitted that he will definitely be tempted if an international music label wanted to sign him up.
He said: "I'd rather seek a partnership with a big label.
"But where my music is concerned, I would (rather have more) control."
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NOTE: We would like to clarify a statement made in the article, which may be misleading. Imran is the co-songwriter and NOT songwriter of Taufik's two Malay tracks - Sombong (Proud) and Usah Lepaskan (Don't let Go), as stated by the journalist in the article above. Likewise, Imran's song Sudah Tu Sudah (Enough is Enough) which is nominated for Best song, is co-written by Taufik. Taufik also co-wrote four other songs in Imran's album. - TB.net Team
2nd NOTE: Thanks to TB.net Team for sharing this! We agree! We would appreciate that Taufik's fans and Imran's fans do not solely rely on rumours and press to determine their love and support for their favourite artiste. They are both separate individuals and have no control over what's written in the media. Let's not make enemies out of the buddies! - ImranAjmain.com Staff