Winning five trophies at the 25th Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM25) has done little to change popular singer Mimi Fly’s outlook, as she remains committed to creating distinctive music rather than chasing personal accolades.
Mimi, whose real name is Shamimi Amalina Norhisham, emerged as the night’s biggest winner, taking home the Best Festive Song and Song with the Most TikTok Creations for Serumpun, Best Music Video and Best Electronic Pop/Dance Song for Temberang, as well as Best Musical Arrangement for Nara.
She stressed that winning trophies was not her priority, saying she wanted to continue inspiring others through her distinctive musical identity.
"I don’t want my achievements or failures to stop me from creating. I just want to be an artist who is ‘the one and only’, someone who is different from everyone else, rather than trying to prove who is the best among us,” she told reporters at the awards ceremony held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) over the weekend.
Sharing her experience as an independent artiste, Mimi attributed her success to the unwavering support of her small team and her mother’s prayers.
She said her career resurgence began after she met producer Bo Amir Ikram, who reignited her passion for creating music in late 2024. She subsequently set up her own management team with her manager.
"I’m not signed to any label; I am my own team. Although my team is small, they believe in me and genuinely want to see me succeed. I also believe that my mother’s constant prayers have helped me get to where I am today,” she said.
Reflecting on her career, the 39-year-old singer revealed that she had gone through difficult periods during her 18 years in the music industry, including a four-year hiatus from music after she lost her sense of direction.
"There were so many times when I tried things that did not work out, and people did not believe in me. When people said my prime time was over or that I was no longer relevant, those words affected me until I started believing that I was not good enough myself.
"However, I am grateful that I did not give up and took the opportunity to rise again. This resilience is a blessing from God,” she added.
Meanwhile Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin fulfilled expectations at the awards show after clinching the Best Song trophy, further solidifying her status as a national music icon.
Siti Nurhaliza, 47, won the category through her hit Pesanan Buat Diri, which also dominated the Best Traditional Song category.
The popular singer also won Best Female Vocal Performance for Kesuma and Best Collaboration Between Local and Foreign Artists/Songwriters for Cenderamaya.
Rising young talent Aisha Retno scored a sweet victory after being crowned winner of the Best Album category for her debut album Re.Hab. She also won Best Album Recording and Best Local English Song for O.R.B.I.T.
Meanwhile, Mawat was named the inaugural recipient of the Best Borneo Song Award, which was presented by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The victory with the song Dayang Bintang makes Mawat the first artiste to win the newly introduced category in AIM history, elevating the language, culture, and musical identity of Borneo onto the national awards stage.
The evening's highlight was the presentation of the Sri Wirama Award to rock queen Ella in recognition of her lifelong contributions to the local music industry. – Bernama
