Razzi Rahman & Irfan Khairi

"Razzi Rahman and Irfan Khairi sing about moving on in life in their new album.
DENNIS CHUA finds out more..."

MUSIC fans best remember Razzi Rahman for his haunting rendition of the hit song, Syakila, back in 1992. This song was the theme of a film screened the same year, starring Razzi’s fellow Kelantanese entertainers Rahim Maarof, Kuza and Aishah.

The number, composed by M. Nasir, was part of Razzi’s first album Cerpen, which was also produced by Nasir. It was a finalist in Anugerah Juara Lagu 1992. Razzi subsequently came up with his second album Ke Dasar Cinta Mu produced by Zul Mahat in 1995.

And last Dec 28, he released a self-titled third album, co-produced with motivational speaker and author Irfan Khairi. The album contains two songs written and composed by Irfan — Kerana and Voices — and Razzi’s own composition, Misteri. The other songs, Akustik Sepi and Kekuatan, were written and composed by musician Kyo.

Razzi, has also re-recorded Syakila with a more rock-oriented sound. He says: “This is my first album with an English song. Voices is a tribute to the people of Palestine, and a message that Malaysians should always count their blessings.”

Irfan, who provides backing vocals and plays the guitar, says: “It’s our first collaboration, and more will come.”

Kota Baru-born Razzi was formerly a Malaysia Airlines employee. In 1991 he won the airlines’ Bakat Mas contest and subsequently launched Cerpen, produced by Denoris Records. Besides Syakila, the album also spawned Rambulan Keriangan, a hit song penned by S. Amin Shahab. “Syakila was also sung by Rahim,” he says.

From 1995 to 2000, Razzi dabbled in acting and appeared in the films, Merah (with Nasir, Ziana Zain and Awie) and Sama Tak Serupa (with Aznil Nawawi). He also starred in Astro television series Pendekar with Nasir Bilal Khan. “I called it quits in acting as I was more into singing,” he says.

Since 2000, Razzi has been running a herbal products business in his hometown with his sister, Dr Siti Zawiah Rahman. “I decided to go into business because it is also my passion. Besides, it gives me greater financial strength,” he says. “But I’ll never give up singing since it’s my first love.” Razzi is also a writer of motivational books. He has penned two to date — Kamus Cinta and 101 Nota Mencari Cinta.

Irfan who comes from Kuala Kangsar, said he learned to play the guitar during his days in Sekolah Menengah Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. The multimedia design graduate from Staffordshire University in Britain shares a common interest in music with Razzi. “We are both fans of Nasir, Amy Search, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and Faizal Tahir,” he says. We’ve known each other for three years, after Razzi showed up at one of my business seminars.”

Irfan has managed his own internet marketing company Irfan Khairi Sdn Bhd since 2005. He describes himself as a business and motivation guru and has held seminars in most of the country’s universities for the last five years. “I teach wannabe entrepreneurs how to start their own online businesses and my seminars are held weekly,” he says.

He has written five books on business and motivation — Secrets Of Internet Millionaires Revealed, Nota Perniagaan, Soal Jawab Perniagaan Internet, Nota Motivasi and Mentor Jutawan. “I decided to make music because it helps attract youths to my seminars. I believe in being informal and accessible, and making music is one way to reach out to youngsters,” he says.

Razzi and Irfan first promoted their songs on the Internet. “The response was really good. So we decided to cut an album,” Irfan says. “Our songs are all about determination, moving on in life and facing adversity,” he adds.

Razzi and Irfan move on