Then and now: Music maestro

taken from NST 2 October 2010
Dennis chua
dchua@nst.com.my

M. Nasir then and now

To many Malaysian singers and musicians, Mohamad Nasir Mohamad, better known as M. Nasir, is a no-nonsense mentor and a kindly father figure. He is known as the sifu of Malaysian music for his leadership qualities, musical brilliance and perfectionism.

Born on July 4, 1957 in Singapore, the singer, songwriter, composer, producer, actor and film director began his career after graduating with an art diploma from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore in 1978.

Active in theatre and songwriting during his teenage years, he had always wanted to excel in music and create truly Malaysian songs with profound lyrics and multi-cultural melodies. Through sheer hard work and a highly disciplined lifestyle, the productive Nasir has over the years, created some of the country’s best Malay songs, for many recording artistes such as the Alleycats, Search, Wings, Ella, Ziana Zain, Hattan, Spider, Misha Omar and Asmawi (Mawi) Ani.

Nasir is the man behind the hit songs Hingga Akhir Nanti, Sekuntum Mawar Merah (Alleycats), Fantasia Bulan Madu, Nur Nilam Sari (Search), Sejati (Wings), Aku Dah Bosan (Amy), Istana Menanti (Rahim Maarof), Mahligai Syahdu (Hattan), Senja Nan Merah (Awie and Ziana Zain), Kekasih Awal Dan Akhir, Ghazal Untuk Rabiah, Sandarkan Pada Kenangan (Jamal Abdillah), Cinta Sakti (Def Gab C), Cinta Dewa Dewi (Spider), Aduh Saliha, Angan Dan Sedar (Mawi) and Nafas Cahaya (Misha Omar).

The notable compositions he has performed include Mustika, Mentera Semerah Padi, Tanya Sama Itu Hud-Hud, Satu Hari Di Hari Raya, Andalusia and Srikandi Cintaku.

One of his closest collaborators in music was the late lyricist Rosli Khamis or Loloq.

Nasir’s debut film was Kembara Seniman Jalanan. He also acted in Fenomena, Selubung, Simfoni Duniaku, Merah (which he directed), Perempuan Melayu Terakhir, Puteri Gunung Ledang and most recently Magika.

In 2001, he did voiceover work for the animated film Putih with top actress Erra Fazira. His notable television dramas include Hambali Seorang Jeneral and Salam Taj Mahal.

Nasir, who has close to 30 albums, was the principal of Akademi Fantasia’s third season in 2005 and discovered its champion Mawi.

He has won numerous music awards which include Anugerah Juara Lagu, Anugerah Industri Muzik and MACP Top Composer (2002-2007).

Nasir is the owner of music production house Luncai Emas Sdn Bhd.