Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin has emerged as the leading nominee for the 25th Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM25), securing 14 nominations across a range of categories.
The National Songstress' nominations span traditional music, festive songs, international collaborations and technical aspects of music production, reflecting her versatility and enduring presence in the local music scene.
In the main categories, she is nominated for Best Female Vocal for the song Kesuma, while her album Gema Bumantara earned nominations for Best Album and Best Album Recording.
Siti's dominance also extends to the Best Traditional Song category, where four of her works -- Kesuma, Rencong, Hujung Bumi and Pesanan Buat Diri -- are nominated.
For the Best Collaboration Between Local Artiste/Songwriter and International Artiste/Songwriter category, three of her songs -- Cenderamaya, Kumbang Bunga and Jenjang Cinta -- made the shortlist.
In addition, Pesanan Buat Diri is nominated for Best Musical Arrangement in Malaysia and Best Song Recording, the latter also featuring Kesuma, while Raya Nak Ke Mana? is nominated for Best Festive Song.
Singer Aisha Retno is the closest contender with six nominations, followed by Hael Husaini and Mimifly, who received five nominations each.
Meanwhile, AIM Organising Committee Chairman Rosmin Hashim said 135 nominees have advanced to the final stage across 32 categories, following the submission of about 600 entries.
He said the judging process this time was led by composer Mohd Faizal Maas, better known as Ajai, and independently audited to ensure transparency.
"The Silver Jubilee edition also introduces two new categories, namely Best Borneo Song and Best Festive Song, while the Best Malay-Language Song Performed by an International Artiste category has been dropped due to limited participation,” he said at a media conference on the prestigious awards here yesterday.
He said this year's event also received RM1.95mil in funding, comprising RM950,000 from the Ministry of Communications' Digital Content Fund (DKD) through MyCreative Ventures and RM1mil through the Tourism Event Grant from the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts.
Scheduled to take place on Sept 26, the AIM25 grand finale will be held in Sarawak for the first time, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). – Bernama
