In this fast-paced digital era where celebrities struggle to sustain a career that lasts even two years, Sheila Majid has gone on to remain relevant and revered to this day. Photos: Handout
The name Sheila Majid has been part of our zeitgeist for as long as we can remember.
An icon from the 1980s, Datuk Sheila Majid has continued to captivate fans throughout the years.
Her music is timeless and transcends age.
Fans, young and old alike, have grown up with her melodies and still find themselves moved by them today.
Take her iconic track Sinaran, for example.
That 1986 song – which Sheila says she has performed “thousands of times” – remains one of the most popular songs in Malaysian pop culture, alongside classics such as P. Ramlee’s Getaran Jiwa, Sudirman’s Balik Kampung and Search’s Isabella.
It’s like a rite of passage – every music fan in Malaysia knows Sinaran.
The jazz queen held several fan meetings at malls around Klang Valley back in January 1990, which attracted a large crowd. — Photos: Filepic
This year marks a milestone for the diminutive diva – Sheila is celebrating her 40th year in the music industry.
In this fast-paced digital era where celebrities struggle to sustain a career that lasts even two years, Sheila has gone on to remain relevant and revered to this day.
The 60-year-old singer will happily tell you that every weekend in July, she was booked for corporate shows – and she still gets invited to perform at various music festivals in Indonesia.
Sheila, as you can see, is far from done with music.
In fact, she has something up her sleeve – a new single to celebrate her 40th year in music followed by a mega concert in November.
These are special gifts to the fans who have stuck by her throughout the years.
“Without them, I wouldn’t be here,” the Kuala Lumpur-born says.
The single Moving On is her first new track in three years.
StarLifestyle meets up with Sheila for a chat prior to the Aug 1 release of the single.
When we tell her we were taken aback by the sonic direction of Moving On, Sheila responds with a knowing smile.
“When people think of a Sheila Majid song, it’s usually a ballad, or something about heartbreak, right?” she offers.
Sheila receives a gold disc for her second album 'Emosi', which was released in October 1986 and contains the classic hits Sinaran and Antara Anyer Dan Jakarta.
So, for this commemorative single, she decided to flip the script.
“I wanted to do something different. Something people wouldn’t expect from me,” she says of her decision to release the disco-tinged Moving On.
Yes, you read that right: Sheila Majid’s new single is a shimmering bop – one that tips its hat to the 1980s, an era she still holds close to heart.
“I am an ’80s child. I grew up in the ’80s, I even started my career in the ’80s,” says Sheila, who released three albums between 1985 and 1988 – Dimensi Baru, Emosi and Warna.
As this is her first time working with Universal Music, managing director Kim Lim suggested that Sheila try something out of the box – collaborating with a foreign producer.
Keen to keep moving forward and never too old to learn, Sheila was game.
She met up with acclaimed South Korean producer Hyuk Shin – who has crafted hits for artistes such as Justin Bieber, Girls’ Generation and Super Junior – to work on the single.
Sheila Majid flanked by Universal Music managing director Kim Lim (left) and music producer Hyuk Shin. Photo: GLENN GUAN/The Star
Always prepared, always professional, Sheila came with ideas of her own.
“Creatively, I wanted something club- friendly, something DJs could remix.
“A dance number that fans could really feel and move to,” she says.
In a strange twist of fate, Sheila found herself with a new legion of fans during the pandemic.
The younger generation started to discover her music, specifically her older catalogue, when DJs would remix her songs at music festivals.
Her new single is a nod to these Gen Z listeners, while still honouring her loyal longtime fans.
Moving On features a familiar disco beat (think Diana Ross, Donna Summer – two disco queens Sheila cites as inspirations), but is presented in a fresh, exciting and modern way.
“What’s been amazing is seeing a new generation, these young people connect with my music.
“I didn’t plan for it. Suddenly they’re listening, enjoying, relating.
“Alhamdulillah. That makes me happy,” she says.
Sheila admits it still feels surreal whenever she’s invited to perform at music festivals in Indonesia.
“I’ll be standing there, looking at the poster of all the artistes performing... everyone’s young and new, and then there’s me, this aunty, also featured on the lineup,” she says with a laugh.
She adds that even her school-going children, who never thought of her more than their mum, think she’s cool now that their classmates have started recognising her.
That’s Sheila for you: funny, warm, and disarmingly candid.
The singer is married to former Gersang member Acis.
In our lengthy interview, and again at subsequent media events, she regales you with stories and often has you in stitches with her take on life.
This effortless demeanour is a testament to her years in the music business – an industry she’s devoted more than half her life to.
Her passion for the craft remains as strong as ever. To Sheila, music isn’t just a job; it’s a calling.
“This talent I have, it’s a gift from Allah,” she says.
“I believe music shouldn’t just entertain – it should offer something meaningful: reflection, learning, inspiration.”
In this wide-ranging interview, culled from several conversations, the beloved songstress looks back on her four decades in the industry – and where she’s headed next.
Interviews have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Forty years in the industry. Now, that is an amazing feat. How does that feel?
To be honest, I’m just thankful. I still remember asking my dad for permission if I could be a singer (all those years ago).
And now, to still be doing this after four decades, it feels surreal.
I’ve learned so much over the years.
All the experiences – collaborations, performances, connecting with fans – they’ve shaped me.
It’s been a journey that I’m proud of.
Sheila Majid has four children. In this 1994 file pic, she’s seen with daughter Wan Khaleeda.
Do you ever feel tired after so many years in the spotlight?
Of course I do. But because I love what I do, it never feels like a chore.
These days, I still sing to earn a living but I’m not constantly in the public eye – and I’m OK with that.
Bring us back to the time when you had to ask your father’s permission to pursue a singing career. Surely he was protective, especially since you were the youngest of eight, and you had just completed SPM.
I had to strategise. I had to be smart about it – to find a way to earn not just his permission but his restu (blessing) as well.
I knew if I asked him outright, the answer would’ve been a definite no.
There was a 50-year gap between my dad and me. Everyone before me went to university, and suddenly the youngest wants to sing?
For him, anything to do with the entertainment industry felt shady.
In a strange twist of fate, Sheila Majid found herself with a new legion of fans during the pandemic.
Did he manage to see your success?
Before he passed away in 1996, he followed me on work trips to Indonesia and Japan, and he saw for himself that my intention was simply to sing.
Your new single, Moving On, is quite a refreshing change from what we normally expect of you. Why did you choose the disco genre?
Back in the 1980s, when I was starting out, everyone was into disco.
So for my 40th anniversary, I thought – why not bring that beat back?
What inspired this decision?
After the MCO, I noticed I had a growing Gen Z fan base.
A big part of that came from Sinaran being remixed and played at clubs and festivals. That exposure led many younger listeners to discover my older songs.
Creatively, I wanted to step away from just doing ballads.
People often associate me with that, and even now when I say I’m looking for new songs, songwriters usually send me ballads for consideration.
But how many ballads can you sing at a concert? I needed something fresh, danceable and something that could connect with both the younger and older crowd.
The message in the song is also different from your past works.
The message is simple: don’t dwell on negativity. Believe in yourself, and move on.
It speaks to the pressures young people face today, especially on social media, where everyone has a camera and an opinion.
One negative comment is all it takes to bring one down, even though it’s from a total stranger.
What is your take on social media then?
I only read comments on my own posts. I ignore the rest.
I mean, would you go up to a bunch of strangers on the street and ask for their opinions? Then why let strangers online affect you?
If someone says I’m ugly, so what? My husband thinks I’m beautiful, my kids love me, that’s enough. If I have a problem, I talk to God, not the public.
My new song is to tell young people not to get caught up in social media likes and comments.
So, Moving On is an uplifting anthem.
To me, music is art. It should do more than entertain. It should teach, uplift and make people feel something.
Another major shift for you with this single is you chose to work with a foreign producer, someone who is not familiar with your work.
I deliberately wanted to collaborate with someone who had no knowledge about me or my music.
With Shin, the Korean producer, it started from zero.
Sheila Majid has always managed to bring all Malaysians, regardless of their races, together at her sold-out concerts.
I met up with him, we spoke and I shared what musical direction I wanted and the message I wanted to convey.
We completed everything in two days.
It was my first time working this way, and I truly enjoyed the process.
Does this mark the beginning of a larger project?
Honestly, I don’t know.
At 60, my priorities have shifted. I’m just happy doing what I love. I don’t have a five- or 10-year plan anymore.
As long as I have food on the table, good health and my kids are OK, that’s enough.
When you first started out, all those years ago in 1985, did you ever think you’d last this long?
I had no idea.
You know, when I asked my father if I could be a singer, all I wanted was to hear my voice on a cassette.
That was the extent of my ambition back then.
I never thought, “I’m going to be a superstar”, or had some grand plan. Never.
Everything just fell into place for me. – Additional reporting by Mumtaj Begum
Sheila Majid 40 Years In Music concert will be held at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur on Nov 8. Tickets are priced between RM268 and RM768 and available at ticket2u.com.my/sheilamajid40.
