Hael Husaini flies high among the stars as a Malaysian music icon

Fresh off the launch of his first ever album ‘Antonim Pt. 1’, Hael Husaini continues to ride the stardom spaceship as a music icon. The ‘Diam’ singer joins us as Lifestyle Asia KL’s Digital Cover star for May 2024.

Rustling leaves, wet grass and the drumming of rain reel in a melancholic echo on one fine afternoon at Botanica+Co in Bamboo Hills. But Hael Husaini, who’s used to bringing the thunder wherever he goes, isn’t fazed at all. The Malaysian star continues to be one with the elements as he joins us on set for the LSA Digital Cover shoot. The eagerness to go — the fiery gaze — is a true sight to behold.

Hael Husaini is someone that really needs no introduction, especially right here in Malaysia. After all, he’s the star, he’s the moment. While I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him at industry events throughout the past two years or so, today’s much-anticipated situation is considered the first time I get to actually speak to him.

There’s a certain charisma that seems to ooze effortlessly out of Hael. Dressed only in a simple black t-shirt and slacks ensemble, the 36-year-old ‘Jampi’ artist is ready to seize the day no matter what comes his way. And that, he definitely did.

The Negeri Sembilan-born singer has come a long way since winning ‘Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL)’ in 2017 with ‘Jampi’. A former photographer and videographer himself, Hael looks at things with vivid focus. His success repeated in 2018 when ‘Haram’, a song he sang with fellow music icon Dayang Nurfaizah, took the top spot at the ’33rd Anugerah Juara Lagu’.

His songwriting and composing skills were also showcased — with songs he wrote for Siti Nordiana & Jaclyn Victor (‘Nisan Cinta’) as well as Wany Hasrita & Dato’ Jamal Abdillah (‘Belenggu Rindu’) among others.

Soft spoken yet overflowing with power when he sings, there’s no denying of Hael’s place among the stars. Whether he’s Ishaak in ‘My Famous Ex-Boyfriend’ or ‘Brokoli’ in Season Three of ‘The Masked Singer Malaysia’, the artist carries a glistening load of sparkles with everything he does.

Today’s experience with him is no different. Be it in a brown checkered Prada knit top or a grey Dior relaxed suit, Hael knows what works for him. He delivers the Haelstorm, if you will.

The road to stardom

Speaking to Hael among the earthy tones of Botanica+Co, I notice the calmness and composure in his voice. It’s a sign of someone filled with gratitude and appreciation — of someone in a state of confidence. But, things weren’t always bright and easy; crediting his past as motivation to keep pushing.

“Just do it and be proud of yourself,” he expresses a message to the old him with intention. Whatever challenges arise, Hael looks to music. He continues: “At the end of the day, music makes me feel different. I always rasa benda tu dalam diri I. When I hear music or when I hear others singing, I always feel like I belong in music too. No matter what I do, I know music will always be there for me. It’s like my soulmate”.

Using songwriting as a form of expression, Hael lets his lyrics and melodies encapsulate his stories. “You’re sharing a story and that’s the best part of writing songs for me”, he quips.

It is also because of his knack for writing and composing that brought him to where he is today. A place on the pedestal, the echelon of the industry. Looking back with fondness in his eyes, Hael says that his hit song ‘Jampi’ was actually written to be sung by other singers.

“I tried to give this song to others but I ended up singing the song. Miracles happen,” he adds. Well, we all know what happened next. ‘Jampi’ went on to become Hael’s breakout moment. A debut to remember for a lifetime.

The smile on his face, the twinkle in his eyes — allude to a sense of pride. Since then, so much has changed for Hael. Not only has he been on ‘Anugerah Juara Lagu’ a few more times (both as a singer and as a producer), he has also gone on to acting and releasing his first ever album. Oh, and of course, working with the legendary Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza? Checked!

From hit songs such as ‘Haram’ and ‘Hari Ini’ to ‘Lara’ and ‘Bintang’, there’s no denying the star qualities he possesses. Of course, Hael remains humble through all the glory.

“You need to have patience and to work hard. Don’t stop believing”, he urges.

On to the next one

Earlier this year, Hael celebrated an all-new career milestone. He released his first ever album on 5 January called ‘Antonim’. This launch marked the latest achievement in his already majestic chapter as a musician. A maverick in the most positive sense, Hael had an idea in mind.

“At first when I released ‘Antonim Pt. 1’, I decided to separate the tracks to make it six and six”, he starts. With ‘Diam’ as his title track, Hael was surprised by the reception he received for ‘Antonim Pt. 1’.

He mentions with pride and the biggest smile: “The first one was mind blowing because of the support and everything that happened. It went to number one on iTunes”. The first part of the album currently has more than three million streams on Spotify alone and according to Hael, it’s “definitely one of my biggest successes this year”.

The songs in the EP are reflections of the singer’s stage in life. Whether it’s ‘Usia’, ‘Kejora’, ‘Hero’ or ‘Sama Seperti Dulu’, maturity runs with prevalence.

“Now I know what I’m doing and what my fans love. I love giving them surprises,” says Hael.

Later this year, Hael will be unveiling the second part of ‘Antonim’ — a drop that we are all anticipating. While no official date is given, we know that something electrifying is about to happen.

What is that, you asked? Well, the great news is that the icon himself will be hosting his first ever concert some time in September 2024. “It’s going to be amazing because it’s my first baby,” he conveys. The grin on his face lit up with joy.

Haunting vocals, brilliant songs and enchanting personality; the creative sure has what it takes to make things work. After all, his repertoire (so far) is clear enough.

All eyes on the world stage

Throughout his career, Hael has worked with some of the best in the industry. The list of names range from Dayang Nurfaizah and Cakra Khan to Jacyln Victor and Nabila Razali. He aims to go shoot beyond the stars; with goals of collaborating with even more producers and composers.

“There are so many people I admire and would love to work with,” he asserts. He names ‘Why Don’t You Stay’ and ‘Fade’ singer Jeff Satur as an artist he has been listening to. “He’s very good and he knows what he’s doing,” conveys Hael. As a fan of the Thai singer myself, I definitely agree. Just imagine a collaboration between these two powerhouses.

In addition, Hael adds that he has been listening to Korean-Canadian group PRYVT. The duo made their debut in August 2023 and has since released songs such as ‘if it’s not you’ and ‘tell me, will we survive?’.

When it comes to the future, the star understands his goals. And they do not just stop right here in Malaysia. In fact, Hael has intentions of bringing Malaysian music to the global stage.

“Berangan itu percuma, kan?”, he daydreams. He acknowledges the potential of highlighting Malaysian music internationally — adding, “there are many unique instruments in Malaysia and they need to be known. I will do my best to introduce the cultural sounds of Malaysia to the world”. Let’s just say that that’s a ‘Hajat’ that may very well come true one day.

In 2024, Hael released his first ever album called ‘Antonim’ — divided into two parts.

Does that mean we can expect the likes of serunai, sape and kompang in Hael’s upcoming music? We’ll just have to wait to find out! Either way, his ambitions (albeit massive) are apparent. Easier said than done, perseverance is key and that’s a notion Hael understands immensely.

Known as someone who isn’t afraid to step out of his comfort zone, the artist isn’t easily phased. Take his bold fashion choices, for instance. It’s all about trying for Hael. “Tak salah untuk try something yang baru”, he mentions.

For Hael, there’s a tremendous connection between music and fashion. “I started as someone who did not know anything about fashion. I was like, seorang dari desa yang datang ke bandar, wondering what this all was. Since then, I started exploring and I have amazing people around to teach me about fashion,” says Hael.

He tells me that one of his proudest achievements so far is being at Paris Fashion Week for Pharrell Williams’ first ever Louis Vuitton show. He even discloses: “I saw Beyonce right in front of my eyes!”. Fast forward to the present, Hael has been a coveted name at various fashion occasions — from the recent grand opening of the Omega boutique in The Exchange TRX to being in Bali for the BOSS House.

Undoubtedly, Hael has so much more to offer in the coming years. Whether it’s songwriting or performing on the stage, the star is here to show why he belongs at the top.

“I just want to be remembered as Hael Husaini. I don’t ask for more. Just remember me as the one and only Hael Husaini,” he voices. And with that, we witness the ‘Bintang’ continue to grow.

editor-in-chief & creative direction MARTIN TEO | words RONN TAN | graphic design JOYCE LIM | photography ERIC CHOW of BLINK STUDIO | videography FION KOH | hair CODY CHUA | makeup SHIYO JOO | styling ISAAC CHONG | styling assistant MANDY SEAH | wardrobe BURBERRY, DIOR, MOSCHINO, PRADA | location BOTANICA & CO, BAMBOO HILLS

Find out more about HAEL HUSAINI in the latest issue of LSA Digital Cover Vol. 020 HERE.

Note:

The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.