After a 26-year hiatus from releasing new recordings, Malaysian music legend Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim has returned to the spotlight with a new single, Ibu Doa, much to the delight of her fans.
The comeback of the singer, affectionately known as "Ibu”, marks a new chapter for the artiste, who has been a prominent figure in the local music industry since the 1970s, producing 18 albums and more than 180 songs throughout her illustrious career.
Khadijah, 67, said the song, written entirely by Baizura Tazri and produced by Jasmine Raj Production, carries a heartfelt message about the boundless love, sacrifice and prayers of a mother that accompany her children throughout their lives.
"Baizura has known me since she was a child. She's my daughter's close friend and spent so much time at my house that she knows me very well.
"The first time I heard this song, it made me cry. From that moment, I knew I had to record it," she said at the song's launch last week.
The singer of Doa Buat Kekasih and Kupendam Sebuah Duka said Ibu Doa is rich in emotion and is intended to touch listeners' hearts, particularly in appreciating a mother's sacrifices.
"Every one of us is born from a mother's love. No matter how far we go in life, a mother's prayers remain our source of protection and strength. "I hope this song will be a tribute to all mothers and remind us to cherish their sacrifices while we still have the chance," she said.
She added that the release of Ibu Doa had originally been scheduled for an earlier date but was postponed after she was struck by severe dengue fever, which affected the quality of her vocals.
"I can still sing, but these days I'm very susceptible to coughs and colds. I don't feel I've fully recovered yet, especially with the vertigo that I'm still dealing with," she said.
To ensure the best possible recording for her fans, Khadijah said she plans to return to the studio within the next two or three days to refine several vocal sections before the song is officially released.
"But what matters most is the way we deliver a song. It has to come from the heart," said the singer, who also plans to record three more solo singles in the near future.
In a separate development, Khadijah said she is planning to record four new songs with rock legend Datuk Ramli Sarip.
"God willing, I will be sitting down with Ramli soon to discuss producing four new songs. "It is also part of our preparation for our special segment at the concert in Sabah on Nov 6," she said.
She and Ramli are scheduled to perform a special duet at the Legends Karyawan Concert, which will be held in Kuching, Sarawak, and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, this November.Throughout her career, Khadijah has received numerous prestigious accolades cementing her status as one of Malaysia's most influential female recording artistes.The single Ibu Doa is expected to be released on all major digital streaming platforms in the near future. - Bernama
