Ammy making a name for herself in regional dangdut scene
DANGDUT singers are often associated with Malay-speaking nations, such as Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia.
However, southern Thailand, which comprises a largely Patani Malay-speaking community, also produces dangdut singers who are popular in the region. Ammy Fara Razali, 18, from Narathiwat, is one of them.
The region’s latest dangdut star wowed the Indonesian crowd with her participation in the reality show Dangdut Academy Asia (Season 2) earlier this year.
Five or six Thai dangdut singers join the show on the Indonesian televison channel Indosiar annually, and Ammy has been the only contestant from her country to enter the top six.
An artiste under Padi Records since last year, she has been working to make a name for herself in the Malaysian music scene, with a little help from award-winning producer and composer Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Zain, also known as Pak Ngah.
“Dangdut is popular among the southern Thai-Malay community, but the country does not have a large market for it.
“So, I figured that I would need to further my singing career in Malaysia and Indonesia, which both have a big dangdut following,” said Ammy at the launch of Padi Records’ talent search, Tawau Got Talent, at Padi Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Ammy’s exposure to dangdut came very early in life. Her parents and siblings are all dangdut singers.
“My parents made sure I learnt to hum dangdut tunes when they first taught me the alphabet. I started joining dangdut singing contests for preteens when I was 12,” said the youngest in the family.
She has performed at national cultural events across Thailand, among which was her performance as part of a choir for the late Thai king’s birthday. She was only 13.
Ammy, who had her secondary education in Darun Sat Vitya Secondary School, Pattani, has five Malay albums under her belt, two comprising nasyid tracks and three featuring dikir barat songs.
“Each album has five to six tracks, all composed by Thai musicians. My first was a nasyid album, recorded when I was 14,” said Ammy, who plans to pursue a performing arts course in Malaysia.
Ammy has just released her debut single in Malaysia, a dangdut number called Yang Begini Ni. Composed by Indonesia’s Abu Nawas, it will be launched in Jakarta, Indonesia, after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“It is a catchy tune, and has a strong message for youths to refrain from spreading or listening to rumours,” she said, adding that dealing with nasty gossip was part and parcel of an artiste’s life.
Ammy had her first Malaysian concert last month in Tawau, Sabah. Organised by Padi Records, it also featured artistes Aiman Tino, Tajul and Tegar.
“My dream is to collaborate with popular Malaysian dangdut singers, such as Mas Idayu and Amelina. I grew up listening to their music and it would be great if I get to meet them.” By Dennis Chua