Known as Malaysia’s King of Swing, Sharizan – who won the Best New Male Artiste award at the 1997 Anugerah Industri Muzik – has never truly stepped away from the spotlight.
“After more than 30 years, I’m still part of the industry. I’ve not disappeared, just shifted behind the scenes. Even so, singing will always be my first love. As long as there’s an opportunity, I’ll continue working,” he told Bernama recently.
Although he does not perform on stage much these days, Sharizan – who rose to fame with the song “I Am No King” – continues to do voiceover work, hosting, and corporate performances.
“When it’s not the season for singing, I take on other jobs that are still within the industry. As artistes, we must be adaptable,” the 51-year-old added.
“The entertainment world changes fast; if you disappear for a while, people might forget you. That’s why I stay active. I also use social media platforms to stay connected with my fans,” said Sharizan, who has lent his voice to major brands including Mercedes-Benz and Malaysia Airlines.
Sharizan still receives many invitations to sing and was even offered to join “Gegar Vaganza”, a popular music reality show. However, he turned it down due to time constraints and personal principles.
“That show requires a lot of commitment, and since I work independently, taking a long break would affect my other projects. Not every artiste needs to enter competitions to stay relevant. I want to stay relevant through my own work,” he explained.
After more than a decade without releasing new songs, Sharizan recently premiered a fresh single titled “Setiap Detik”, part of the “Inspirasi 2025” project, a collaboration with composer and producer Helen Yap.
Produced with the support of MyCreative Ventures and the communications ministry, the project also features an English version titled “The Only One”.
“This song isn’t just about love, it’s about appreciating every moment in life. It’s an uplifting piece, and I hope listeners can feel its positive energy,” Sharizan said.
For him, both versions of the song represent his unwavering spirit to remain relevant in an industry filled with young, emerging talents.
“The competition today is healthy. I’m happy to see so many talented new artistes. As a veteran, I need to keep learning and find new ways to stay connected with listeners,” he concluded.