SINGER Ismail Izzani has consistently been experimenting with his music. From pop and R&B to rap and hip-hop, the 24-year-old songwriter and actor always makes an effort to offer a fresh sound.
According to the artiste from Selangor, his latest song, "Iman", had a significant personal meaning and a different tone compared with his previous efforts.
"This song has a hidden meaning and it depends on how the listeners interpret the message. I believe many people can relate it to their own experiences.
"We've all had a time when we were deeply in love with someone and wanted to improve ourselves from past mistakes," he said.
According to him, the song, at surface level, tells the story of a woman named Iman, who captures the heart and is liked by a young man.
But there's a deeper meaning to it and Ismail hopes that listeners will respond well to the overall sound of the track that combines Malay melodies with Afro beats.
He said he was drawn to the overall contemporary sound of the song even though it took a while for him to like it.
"The creation of this song took a long time. When I first heard the demo, I was unsure if I wanted to sing it.
"But after listening to it many times and exploring the melody, I became very excited. I felt like this song was very fresh," said Ismail, who included a special dance choreography in the song's music video.
The lyrics were written by Joe Flizzow, while Joe, SonaOne, Alexander Oghenetejiri Anidi and DeeKid composed the track.
The fresh-faced artiste, whose full name is Ismail Izzani Zainal Nazeri, is signed under Def Jam Malaysia and is gathering material for future releases.
"The recording experience was enjoyable. Joe and SonaOne helped guide me in many aspects.
"This song is one of the most challenging works I've had.
"There are many songs I want to release in the future. But for now, I want to explore different types of music, like the genre in 'Iman' or other genres," said the son of the veteran singer of the 1980s, Suliza Salam.
"Iman" can be streamed on digital platforms and its music video is available exclusively on Ismail Izzani's official YouTube channel.