REVOLUTIONISING MUSIC: Superstar Hevance band with Hanifah (second right) and Iskandar (third right) after being crowned as champion in AJARR 2011.
SIBU: Hevance band with their hit song ‘Aku Nemu’, was crowned the champion in ‘Lagu Terbaik Anugerah Juara Rentak Ruai’ (AJARR) 2011 held at the Civic Centre here recently.
An energetic performance by Hevance portrayed their ultramodern music as well as a revolution in their musical concept, prompting judges to put them on top of the list.
The group’s victory in modern freestyle or rock had already been anticipated in the early stage of the singing contest by Iban artistes’ observers and music industry enthusiasts.
This was because the concept of the group’s music matched the theme of AJARR, ‘Revolusi Muzik Kemaya Hari’ (Revolution of Contemporary Music) in comparision with other finalists.
Hevance had also secured the Best Song award after Masterpiece band, who was the champion last year.
Being the winner, the band walked home with RM5,000 cash and a trophy.
Melissa Francis won the Popular Song category after more than 21,000 fans voted on her song, ‘Mutus Ati’, via SMSes.
Excitement surged in the hall when deejay Freddy and Ijau called out Melissa’s name as the winner for the category. She received RM3,000 cash and a trophy.
Second placing went to Lucy M, with her song, ‘Buya Bepangan’. She received RM2,000 and a trophy.
Rickie Andrewson’s song, ‘Engkerecam Cuka’ was placed third, and he walked home with RM1,500 and a trophy.
Melissa Francis also won the Best Vocal AJARR 2011 when her voice dazzled five judges namely Iskandar Bujang, Jerry Kamit, Jackson Dana, Jimmy Adit and Nai Dinamik.
She took home another RM2,000 and a trophy.
Another band, Ethnic Transmission (ET) depicting ‘anti-establishment’ music, won the Best Performance. Their appearance with vocalist, Kent, from Masterpiece band shocked the audience and created speculations among fans.
Without its prime vocalist, Macmillan Jua Lungan this time, a question mark rose among the band’s fans, leading to the speculation that the band would break up and a new name be sought. Ethnic received RM2,000 and a trophy.
Special recognition was accorded to Alon Lupeng and Jackson Dana for their contributions to the Iban music industry.
Jackson Dana is an experienced composer in the industry.
Kristal Harta Sdn Bhd (Cats FM) director Datin Hanifah Taib Alsree presented prizes to the winners.
Also present was Cats FM manager Mohd Iskandar Mohd Nawawi.
Cats FM hosted the singing contest while The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo were the official media.
A total of 12 popular Iban songs vied for title during the contest.
The finalists songs were ‘Mengkang Dikenang Dalam Ati’ by Rolisawati, ‘Dara Jala Pisit’ (Wendy), ‘Engkerecam Cuka’ (Rickie Andrewson), ‘Buya Bepangan’ (Lucy M), ‘Pulai Pengunjung’ (Ethnic Transmission), ‘Rachun Dalam Pengerindu’ (Inochi Austin), ‘Aku Nemu’ (Hevance), ‘Merindang Ati Ti Balat Sunyi’ (Betty), ‘Mutus Ati’ (Melissa Francis), ‘Nadai Andau Duri Melintang’ (James Jacob), ‘Panjai Begulai’ (Clemence Joy’s) and ‘Bekayuh Langkan’ (Jennorino Jeraki).