Come May 9, Fauziah Latiff will stage her first solo concert – a momentous milestone marking four decades in music for the 55-year-old.
And the singer – whose full name is Siti Fauziah Sheikh Abdul Latiff – can’t wait to be with her fans that night, many of whom grew up with her music.
“I am excited to see their faces and their smiles ... the night is theirs too,” Fauziah told StarLifestyle.
“I hope we can be together and make some great memories.”
The journey to this moment has been a long time coming for both Fauziah and her fans.
Despite being asked to stage a solo concert 10 years ago, the humble artiste was unsure of taking that final step as she felt there were many moving parts, beyond just the artiste.
“You have to think about the production, the creativity of it all, the team and the music.
“They all play very important roles. It’s not just about me ... they are the backbone of the show,” said Fauziah, who is fondly known as Kak Jee.
What finally convinced her was the realisation that she has weathered many ups and downs throughout her career – and that this is the time to embrace the challenge and make 4 Decades Fauziah Latiff Live In Concert a reality, for herself and the fans.
At the upcoming concert, fans can expect to hear more than 20 songs of not only her hits but evergreen favourites from other Malaysian artistes.
Some of Fauziah’s biggest hits include Dia, Dari Kaki Tangga Ke Menara, Aku Sebutir Pasir, Sekali Ini Saja, Teratai Layu Di Tasik Madu, Setia Ku Korbankan and Menanti Di Ambang Syurga.
As a teenager, Fauziah loved to sing.
While still in school, the Perak-born artiste – who grew up in Penang and Selangor, and studied at Sekolah Menengah Tengku Ampuan Jemaah in Port Klang – was encouraged to take part in school performances.
Her father, who recognised her interest in music, was supportive and even guided her as her career expanded outside of school.
“I’m always thankful to my late father and the people who supported me then,” said the twice-divorced Fauziah, who is mum to two sons.
It was because of her father that she nabbed her first professional performance – a friend of her father’s introduced her to the legendary composer Datuk S. Atan.
Recalling the first meeting with the late S. Atan at the now defunct theme park Mimaland, Fauziah said it took an unexpected turn when he told her to perform two songs that very night.
The then-15-year-old Fauziah and her father scrambled to find a dress and prepare for the performance.
“I sang two of Francissca Peter’s songs,” said Fauziah of her unplanned debut.
A year later, in 1987, at 16, she made her official debut at a charity concert at Stadium Merdeka, where she met Koo Chong Teng, who ran the record label Happy Records.
“Mr Koo offered me a place at Happy Records and that’s where my journey began.
“I met many wonderful people – producers, songwriters, lyricists, choreographers, dancers and musicians – and I’m grateful for everything they taught me,” she said.
“Those experiences shaped how I understand stage performance and creativity today.”
According to her, the turning point in her career came after her second album, Kau Merubah Segalanya (1989), which gave her opportunities to appear on television and perform for a wider audiences.
One of them was when she sang Terima Kasih Teman – a song she wrote – from the album while competing in the Juara Pesta Pujaan Kingsway.
She emerged as the champion in the competition.
In 1993, she notched another major achievement when she won Anugerah Juara Lagu with Teratai Layu Di Tasik Madu.
These achievements reinforced her belief that one must keep working hard to truly understand artistry.
“It may look easy on stage, but it’s not,” said Fauziah, who has released 11 studio albums.
On sustaining a 40-year career and staying relevant, the hitmaker said: “You have to keep exploring art and performance – just keep going, with Allah’s permission, and keep learning.”
Beyond music, Fauziah has also branched into acting and was, at one point, known as the “nice judge” on the reality competition Malaysian Idol.
In our conversation, she reflected on how her priorities have shifted with age, and the importance of appreciating what she has and living in the present.
The Q&A has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Is there one song you never get tired of performing? What makes it special?
The song Cinta, which I wrote – both the lyrics and melody. It’s about life.
It’s a song I dedicate to my two children. It means a lot to me.
Do any of your songs carry a different meaning for you now compared to when you first recorded them?
Not really. As a singer, you appreciate the song and the person who wrote it, and you deliver it.
It’s a responsibility to understand what you are conveying and just hope for the best.
You’ve been selective about releasing new music. What would a new song need to have for you to release it?
(Laughs) It has to suit my voice now, and most importantly, it must have soul.
Whether it’s a slow pop song or something faster, I’m open – as long as it has soul.
How would you describe your music taste, and which artistes do you enjoy listening to?
I’m still quite old school, but I do follow current music sometimes.
There are many talented performers like Mimi Fly and Aisha Retno.
I also admire Misha Omar, Shila Amzah, Jaclyn Victor and Liza Hanim, among others.
And of course our legends – Ziana Zain, Kak Ramlah Ram and Datuk (Seri) Siti Nurhaliza – because they all have great music.
How do you balance singing and acting, and which takes priority for you?
Music is still my priority. With acting, I still have so much to discover.
What they share is that both require patience, time and understanding.
What keeps you going, especially during moments of doubt?
You fight to live and to do what you love.
What keeps me going is my mother – it’s an amanah (responsibility).
You’ve kept a relatively low profile in recent years. Is there a reason?
As you get older, your priorities change – you look at how you divide and balance your needs.
I come from a small family. After my father passed away, my priorities shifted.
Now it’s about taking care of my mother.
What has caring for your mother meant to you personally?
Everyone has love and responsibility, and now it’s my turn to look after my mother.
I thank Allah for giving me that chance and for the lessons that come with it.
You’ve spoken about focusing on positivity. Why is that important?
Life is too short – you have to appreciate what you have. You adapt and try to stay positive.
To be honest, I’m still trying as well.
What comes after the concert?
There are a few upcoming projects, but it depends on the situation.
I just hope for the best – for myself and for everyone in these trying time ... we must all practise patience.
May Allah protect us all and bring better days ahead.
4 Decades Fauziah Latiff: Live In Concert is staged at Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 9. Tickets are available from RM299 to RM6,999 at www.ticket2u.com.my.
