Awie Explained

Honorific Prefix:Yang Hormat Dato'
Honorific Suffix:DIMP
Awie
Birth Name:Ahmad Azhar bin Othman
Birth Date:24 November 1968
Birth Place: Malaysia
Occupation:Singer, musician, actor, host, producer, director
Other Names:Husin, Tok Wie
Years Active:1983–present
Spouse:
    Children:6 (including Putra Ahmad Merrah)
    Module:
    Embed:yes
    Genre:Rock kapak, hard rock, pop rock, heavy metal, glam metal, blues rock, ballad, funky
    Associated Acts:Wings, Erra Fazira Ziana Zain, Ella, M. Nasir

    Dato' Ahmad Azhar bin Othman (born 24 November 1968), better known by his stage name Awie, is a Malaysian singer, musician, and actor.[1] Awie is considered one of the greatest Malaysian vocalist of all time.

    Born in Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, Awie's music career start in 1985 with a rock band called Wings, which he became a lead vocal at age 17. Their First Studio Album Released in 1987 called Belenggu Irama that sold around 180,000 units which at the time is pretty impressive for a young newcomer and thus hit an instant fame. After Belenggu Irama, He records another four hit albums with Wings in five-year span between 1988 and 1993, while he also played flute for Metallica’s opening concert in Florida . Awie ventured into Acting and starred in Pemburu Bayang alongside the future Queen of Rock Ella in 1993. Awie then starred in many movies in the 1990s. While Wings is at the very peak of its career, Awie had a disagreement with then Wings manager Ali Bakar and left the group in 1993. As a solo artist, Awie became one of the best selling artist in Malaysia and became a millionaire in 1995.

    Awie's career slowed down in early 2000s but he still appeared in many movies - mainly comedies. He rejoined Wings to record two more albums and became one of few artist in Malaysia to record studio albums in four different decades (80s, 90s, 00s, 10s). In 2017, he has been given Knight Companion The Esteemed Order of the Crown of Pahang that carries the title Dato' by Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah.[2] Now, he is called Dato' Ahmad Azhar Bin Othman or Dato' Awie.

    Career

    Early Involvement

    At the early age of 17, Awie worked at Panggung Anniversary, Kuala Lumpur. His work enabled him to accompany several popular rock bands at the time such as Search, Bloodshed, Ella & The Boys, Sweet Charity.

    Wings

    Along with bassists Eddie, Awie co-founded the band Wings in early 1985. By Eddie who was the leader of the band, Awie was immediately appointed as the lead vocals from the beginning of the band's formation.[3] They debuted with the album Belenggu Irama. Their subsequent album Hukum Karma features successful singles "Misteri Mimpi Syakilla" (composed by J.S. Kevin) and "Taman Rashidah Utama" (written by a producer Bob Lokman). Various albums followed, including Teori Domino, Jerangkung Dalam Almari and Bazooka Penaka. A number of Wings's hits are composed by singer-songwriter M. Nasir.

    Awie left the band in 1993 after reported disagreements with Ali Bakar (Wings manager), and pursued a career as a solo artist and actor. He re-joined Wings in 2002 after lukewarm fan response to his replacements Mus (formerly from May) and Mel (a club singer). The band is still active. Their recent concert appearances and recordings include Wings Alive 2006 and Wings Live in KL 1991. On top of that, Awie had joined the band Samudera Astana.

    Solo career

    During his departure from Wings in 1993, Awie recorded his first solo album called Awie (1994) which sold around 220,000 units, a record for the highest selling album for male solo artist in Malaysia to date. Followed by couples of successful Albums such as Awie Unplugged (1995), O-Tak (1996) and Satu (1998). His compilations album Best Of Awie (1999) sold around 300,000 to 600,000 units.

    Film career

    Awie began his acting career in 1992 with the film Pemburu Bayang. Other locally-successful films followed, the more prominent ones being Bara and the Sembilu series. Recently Awie has concentrated on comedic roles.

    Personal life

    Awie was engaged to Miss Malaysia Erra Fazira, his co-star in Sembilu. Due to reported infidelity, the engagement was called off.

    Months later, he was caught by several Islamic law enforcers in a hotel room with Arni Nazira, his co-star in Nafas Cinta. Their obligated marriage produced two daughters. In October 2006, Arni Nazira filed for divorce after 8 years of marriage. The reason for the divorce was claimed to be due to Awie's marriage to Rozana Misbun in a secret ceremony in southern Thailand.

    Awie married again in 2016 to Sharifah Ladyana Syed Samsuddin at Songkhla, Thailand.[4]

    In November 2021, Awie was ordered by the Malaysian Court of Appeal to pay RM80,000 in damages for the assault and battery of ex-wife Rozana Misbun.[5]

    Filmography

    Feature films

    YearTitleRoleNotes
    1993Pemburu BayangAwieDebut film appearances
    1994Sembilu
    1995Sembilu II
    1996Tragedi Oktober
    1997MerahMerah
    1998Maria Mariana IISazali
    1999Nafas CintaAmir
    BaraAmri
    2001GetaranAwie
    2003Iskandar Karl Iskandar
    2005Sembilu 2005 Zambri
    Baik Punya Cilok Bob KP
    2006Diva PopularFaizal
    2007BraveJohn
    Zombi Kampung PisangHusin
    Sumolah Harris
    2008CuciJojo
    DuyungKordi
    Antoo Fighter: Amukan Drakulat! Drakulat Van Listerbooy
    Cinta U-TurnFaiz
    Apa Kata Hati? Sophi
    2010Andartu Terlampau... 21 Hari Mencari Suami! Aziz Al-Biruni
    Kapoww! Astromen
    Hantu Kak Limah Balik RumahHusin
    2012Baik Giller! Kimie
    Berani Punya BudakJohn
    Leftwings HimselfSpecial appearance
    2013Husin, Mon dan Jin Pakai ToncitHusin
    Bikers Kental Eddie Guardo
    Lemak Kampung SantanAbu
    2014Zombi Kilang BiskutHusin
    Dollah SuperstarDollah Rimau
    RibbitKulup (voice)Malay dubbed
    2016Warna Cinta Impian Himself
    Upin & Ipin Jeng Jeng Jeng!
    2017Lebuhraya Ke NerakaBob
    2018Hantu Kak LimahHusin
    Operasi X Belut
    2019Bikers Kental 2Eddie Guardo
    2020Rock 4: Rockers Never DaiHimself
    202110 Tips Tipu BiniBrother LoveAlso as producer
    Kampong Pisang Musikal Raya IstimewaHusin
    Kampung Latah Kena KuarantinDukun PalermoCameo appearance
    2022Seratus
    2023Didi & Friends The MovieTok Chip (voice)
    Sue-OnMat Dosa As producer
    2024RebelPak Long Biring Also as director, original idea and executive producer

    Telemovie

    YearTitleRoleTV channel
    1992Wajah Di Sebalik TiraiMokhtarTV1
    2010Buta WarnaAmri
    2013Malaikat Di Pintu"ZaiTV3
    2014Takhta 3 RatuAstro First Exclusive
    2015Aku Benci RayaAmirAstro Ria
    2016Dari Kerana MataRamziHyppTV
    2017Kalut Nak RayaBobbyAstro Warna
    2018Studio AwieHimself
    Berani Jadi PapaSani JonedAstro First Exclusive
    2021Rumah Tok WieTok WieAwesome TV

    Television series

    YearTitleRoleTV channelNotes
    2000Spanar JayaHimself NTV7Episode: "Takkan Kot... Awie"
    2006–2007Awie RecordsHimselfAstro Ria
    2018Mak Cun (Season 4)RockTV3
    Ammar & OpieTok Wie
    2021Kampung Pisang Bersiri-siriHusinAstro CitraEpisode: "Husin Kembali Bersama Zombi"
    Semanis SenyumanmuHimselfSpecial appearance
    2022Sudin dan KayaSamadAwesome TV
    Kids NowadaysJaafarAstro Ria

    Television

    YearTitle RoleTV channel
    2004Akademi Fantasia (season 2)Invited ArtistAstro Ria
    2012Maharaja Lawak Mega 2012Permanent judgeAstro Warna
    2013Tunggu SekejapHostTV3
    Maharaja Lawak Mega 2013Invited Artist To ShiroAstro Warna
    2015Juara ParodiInvited Artist
    2016Ceria PopstarPermanent judgeAstro Ceria
    3 JuaraPermanent judgeTV3
    Joras & StarInvited ArtistAstro Warna
    2017Rockanova 2017Permanent judgeAstro Prima
    AF MegastarInvited ArtistAstro Ria
    2018MeleTOPHost with Erra Fazira
    2019Maharaja Lawak Mega 2019Invited ArtistAstro Warna
    2019–2022Muzikal Lawak SuperstarPermanent judge
    2020Rumah No. 107Invited Artist
    Gegar Vaganza (Season 7)Invited ArtistAstro Ria
    2021Sumbang SuaraPermanent judgeTV3
    Havoc Nak RayaInvited Artist
    2022Mic On! (Season 2)JuryAwesome TV

    Discography

    Album studio (With Wings)

    YearTitleSales
    1987Belenggu Irama
    • Album studio
    • Released : 1987
    • Label : ASP
    180, 000 Unit
    1988Hukum Karma
    • Album studio
    • Released : 1988
    • Label : ASP
    180, 000 Unit
    1990Teori Domino
    • Album studio
    • Released : 1990
    • Label : Fly Wings & BMG
    200, 000 Unit
    1991Jerangkung Dalam Almari
    • Album studio
    • Released: 1991
    • Label: Fly Wings & BMG
    200, 000 Unit
    1993Bazooka Penaka
    • Album studio
    • Released: 1993
    • Format: Kaset
    • Label: Fly Wings & BMG
    200, 000 Unit
    2002Naga Kramat
    • Album studio
    • Released: 2002
    • Format: CD & Kaset
    • Label: BMG
    50, 000 Unit
    2014Menakluk Kosmos
    • Album studio
    • Released: 2014
    • Format: CD
    • Label: KRU Records
    15, 000 Unit

    Album solo studio

    YearTitleSales
    1994Awie
    • Album studio
    • Released: 1994
    • Format: CD, Kaset
    • Label: BMG Music
    220,000 unit
    1996O-Tak
    • Album studio
    • Released: 1996
    • Format: CD, Kaset
    • Label: BMG Music
    150, 000 unit
    1998Satu
    • Album studio
    • Released: 1998
    • Format: CD, Kaset
    • Label: BMG Music
    50, 000unit
    2000Rentap
    • Album studio
    • Released: 2000
    • Format: CD, Kaset
    • Label: BMG Music
    25, 000 unit
    2005Santai
    • Album studio
    • Released: 2005
    • Format: CD, Kaset
    • Label: EMI Music

    Notes and References

    1. Encyclopedia: Awie. Encyclopedia Metallum. metal-archives.com. 18 February 2012.
    2. https://www.bharian.com.my/node/231201 Awie dapat gelaran Dato'
    3. Web site: Cici the Musical Cast List . 18 February 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212911/http://www.cucithemusical.com/cast_crew.asp . 8 July 2011 .
    4. News: The Star . 18 February 2012 . Awie: I Have Another Wife . https://web.archive.org/web/20061106082941/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2006%2F10%2F20%2Fnation%2F15783336&sec=nation . dead . 6 November 2006 .
    5. News: The Star . 24 March 2022 . Awie ordered to pay RM80,000 to ex wife for assaulting her.