A diva's progress

Compiled by DARYL GOH and CECIL FUNG

Datuk Sharifah Aini Syed Jaafar, born on July 2, 1953, started singing at the age of seven and had signed up with EMI in 1969 when she recorded her first single entitled Sri Dewi Malam. Dubbed the longest-staying EMI artiste, she has had at least 77 albums including compilations throughout her 35-year career with hits like Bunga Tanjung, Teratai, Ingatan Manis di Bulan September, Tiada Maaf Bagimu, Burung Pungguk and Kau Tinggi di Awan Biru. Sharifah Aini has worked with various contemporary producers like M. Nasir, Ajai, Ramli M.S and L.Y. and has even recorded with young rappers Too Phat. In 1976, she acted in her first movie entitled Hapuslah Air Mata Mu, which had a best-selling soundtrack of the same name. Among her achievements are winning the award for Best Female Singer 1978, Gold Disc Award Papita (1979), Anugerah Sri Wirama at the Anugerah Industri Muzik 2000, Best Arts Achievement Award Papita (2000) and Anugerah Emas Era 2002.  

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1. Sharifah Aini hitting the high notes in the1970s. From heartfelt ballads, lush string-laden numbers and pop classics, this Malaymusic diva practically shaped the Malaysianpop landscape during her prime. 

 
	
			
	
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2. Sharifah Aini tying the knot withentertainment mogul Ali Bakar in 1981.The couple divorced a few years later.The marriage produced a son, Ariff Ali. 

 

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3. Sharifah Aini in the studios in theearly 1980s. She carried her 1970s chartsuccess well into the next decade andbeyond. Along the way, she worked withthe cream of Malaysian music-makers,including Ahmad Nawab, Fauzi Marzuki,Johari Salleh, M. Nasir and more. 

 
	
			
	
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4. Sharifah Aini with her prestigious SriWirama Award at the Anugerah IndustriMuzik 2000 awards ceremony. Thehonorary award recognises her achieve-ments in the Malaysian music industry. 

 
	
			
	
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5. Sharifah Aini (left) with the late Malaysianpop legend Sudirman and his then wife Kay inthe 1980s. 

 

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6. Sharifah Aini goes hip hop and earns anunexpected comeback in 2001 with Too Phat.The hip hop duo and Sharifah Aini bridged thegeneration gap and collaborated on the hitsingle You, lifted from Too Phat’s albumPlan B. 

 

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