Sweet success
Syafeek Ikhwan says after three years of trying to build his name in Malaysia, his talent is finally acknowledged abroad.
MALAYSIAN Syafeek Ikhwan, 30, “is still in shock” after being crowned grand champion in the solo category of i-SiNG World 2018 Finals held in Paris, France in late September.
“Nevertheless, I’m happy that after more than three years of trying to build my name in my own country, my talent is finally acknowledged abroad.” said Syafeek, who had only aimed for a Top 5 spot in the competition as the competitors were all great singers.
He almost quit the competition when his proposals for sponsorship from several ministries were rejected. However, he is grateful to Monspace and Kota Anggerik state assemblyman Najwan Halimi who contributed some financial assistance, as well as his followers on social media who crowdfunded him.
Syafeek rendered Frank Sinatra’s My Way in the semi-finals and Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza’s Kau Kekasihku in the finals.
He won US$2,500 (RM10,300), a trophy and an air ticket to Spain, to perform at the finals of i-SiNG World 2019.
In July this year, Syafeek was chosen to represent Malaysia in the singing competition when he emerged champion in the solo category of i-SiNG Malaysia 2018.
i-SiNG is the biggest singing competition that gathers aspiring singers from all over the world and offers them a platform to showcase their vocal talent and prowess. This year, i-SiNG featured contestants from 43 countries.
This is the second edition of i-SiNG; the first edition was held in Yangon, Myanmar last year.
Syafeek, who hails from Puncak Alam, Selangor, works as an education officer in The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). After he graduated with a degree in telecommunications engineering from Universite de Nice, France in 2010, he began to take up singing seriously.
Recording offers and other opportunities are pouring in after Shafeek’s victory.
The singer said that he was also offered to record a duet song with a Filipino singer. The head judge of i-SiNG World 2018, who is based in Spain, has offered to produce a song for Syafeek.
Syafeek won the most popular finalist award in Juara Pujaan RTM in 2015 and thereafter released his first single Tanpa Arah in the same year. His second single, Teka Teki, was released in the middle of 2016.
He is currently working on his new single in Malaysia.