Productive MCO
ALTHOUGH 18-year-old Yazmin Aziz (pic) wrote the R&B track Heart & Soul two years ago, the Malaysian artiste never got the chance to release it as a single.
On July 24, Heart & Soul became available on digital platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.
The Help University student – whose dad is Filipino and mum is Malaysian – got to revisit the song when the movement control order was enforced back in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It was about that time too that Kris Lawrence reached out to me to do a collaboration,” recalled Yazmin of the Filipino American singer-songwriter’s participation.
Lawrence then introduced Yazmin to Jayr, who is behind the independent record label Homeworkz Records.
Together, they worked on Heart & Soul from March to April, along with Libyan producer, Debani.
“It was all done remotely, with me recording it at home in Kuala Lumpur, Debani producing the track in Libya, and Jayr and Kris Lawrence working on the distribution and promotion from the Philippines,” shared Yazmin, who had released a Malay track, Lihatlah ,in2018.
She shared that the lyrics, inspired by a previous relationship, convey her heartfelt emotions when she was in love.
In a press statement, she shared: “Heart & Soul is perfect as a dedication song to your other half especially at weddings and anniversaries.”
The teenager first gained fame when she represented Malaysia in a number of singing competitions such as the World Championship of Performing Arts in California, United States; the Global Pinoy Singing Idol in the Philippines; as well as the World Karaoke Championship in Tokyo, Japan.
Yazmin also took part in the Virtual World Championship Of Performing Arts 2020, held from July 24 to Aug 1, where she was awarded a silver medal for her effort.
“I am deeply grateful and honoured that I am able to collaborate with internationally renowned producer and artistes Jayr and Kris Lawrence, for my first English single,” she said of Heart & Soul.
“It may have taken two years since I wrote the song’s lyrics and melody, but it’s worth the wait. I hope Heart & Soul will be well received by music lovers in Malaysia and around the world.”