On The Cover: Hael Husaini On A Life In Repeat And In Flux

Singer-songwriter Hael Husaini embodies a seasoned prodigy, encapsulating the curiosity of a new artist blended with the expertise of a refined performer.

By LingJie Tuang

May 09, 2025

There is a palpable exuberance in the air. Fifteen years into Hael Husaini’s career, you would think that getting into hair and makeup would have lost its novelty. But Hael watches intently as the transformation happens in real-time — phone nowhere to be seen.

In the makeup chair, he contorts his posture, leaning forward with his face upright so the recording device picks up his voice better. While photoshoots and interviews are far from uncommon in his line of work as a musician, the first impression reads as warm as the musical personas he adopts for his lagu Raya. His listeners seem to agree, too, evident from the 16 million YouTube views and counting on ‘Meriah Lain Macam’, his Raya song with Nadeera released merely a month ago.

“This Raya has been the most hectic thus far, even busier than last year’s, as everyone has gone all out in the music industry. There has been a lot of fresh, new material, and I’m glad ‘Meriah Lain Macam’ was well-received,” Hael confesses. No ordinary Eid, the first day of his Raya was spent with family in Negeri Sembilan and performing for the royals of the state. “It didn’t feel like work because it was performing for my home crowd, so it was a great honour.”

T-shirt, **Superdry**; Briefs, Hael’s own

A peek at his top tracks on Spotify would reveal half of them being Raya songs. Was there a moment that felt the most surreal when interacting with his music in public? He traces an experience back to 2019, when ‘Bersyukur Seadanya’ was first released. Citing it as a last-minute project, the idea of the song becoming a new classic for the festive season did not occur until witnessing it on Buletin TV3, a major national news programme.

“I choreographed the music video myself and let my intuition take over for creative decisions, rather than overthinking it. As this was a time before TikTok, being seen on the news was a mark of going viral back then,” he recounts. The shift occurred when social media challenges became the norm, as it meant that he was able to witness how his audience interacted with his music. “With ‘Meriah Lain Macam’, seeing our fans turn our dance into a TikTok challenge was a moment of pride, especially when it extends beyond the Malay audience.”

In a saturated scene, Hael has always aimed to create music that encompasses all walks of Malaysian lives, transcending race and age. “I want all Malaysians to be able to enjoy my music, from babies to the oldest member of the family.” His secret to materialising this vision is to encapsulate the spirit of joy within lyrics and melodies in an authentic manner, allowing others to experience happiness viscerally.

Jacket, pants, all Superdry; Sneakers, **Cole Haan**

Jacket, top, all **Hermès**; Sapphire and diamond bracelet, sapphire and emerald ring, sapphire and diamond brooch, all **DeGem**

Ensuring he keeps his promises is his family, to whom he turns for a seal of approval. “My parents and children will always be the first ones to experience my work. When I see them enjoying the song, especially seeing my kids dance and sing along, I know that everyone else can enjoy it too.” In a business that is far from the regular nine-to-five, where does the role of Hael Husaini, the performer, begin and end? And how does he make way for Hael Husaini, the family man?

He begins by allowing himself a sense of grace. “No matter what I do, I always remember that I am a human being first, before anything else — and family always comes first,” he shares. He does not harbour unrealistic expectations. Instead, he works with the limitations of his time. When he is on stage, he gives his all, but once he reaches home, he leaves that baggage at the door. “At home, I get to be the best father for my kids. After work, I enjoy pampering my family and spoiling my kids — I become their maid!”

Having witnessed the changing landscape of the music industry, Hael notices the expanding job scope beyond the confines of just the recording studio and the stage. Between influencing and content creation, among other skills, Hael manages to rise up to the occasion by adopting a boundless mindset.

Jacket, shirt, all **Dolce&Gabbana**; Paraiba diamond ring, emerald and diamond bracelet, emerald and aquamarine diamond necklace, all **DeGem**

Jacket, pants, hat, all Prada; Lavender jade and diamond necklace, jade and diamond necklace, jade and diamond bangle, all **DeGem**

“I’m not Gen Z, I’m Gen Alpha,” he jokes. “Just like the proverb ‘Tuntutlah ilmu walaupun ke negeri Cina’ (seek knowledge wherever you go) I acknowledge the importance of learning and constantly growing, especially in the music scene. Last time, you would depend solely on the record label to market your music, but now it is all about engaging with the crowd yourself.” While he agrees that it takes considerable effort, he still does it to stay connected with his audience without having to depend on others.

No stranger to using style as an extension to his artistry, Hael credits the fashion industry for opening up different opportunities and educating him on the different options available. “I started off as someone who knew nothing about fashion. When I first became a singer, I did not see how fashion played a role in my performance, but engaging with the industry has allowed me to see how fashion gives my music a unique colour,” Hael says.

Recognising the ever-evolving nature of fashion, he sees himself as a canvas, putting trust in the stylists and editors who showcase a different facet of his artistry. “I don’t like to be stuck in a particular era. I started when super skinny jeans were a thing. We would go to Sungei Wang, buy them in every colour, and think we were the most fashionable people,” he reminisces. However, he experiments within limits as he understands the need to practise modesty as a Malaysian.

Jacket, t-shirt, pants, belt, all Superdry

Polo T-shirts, jeans, all **Superdry**; Sneakers, **Cole Haan**

“I want to be the boss,” he cheekily responds when asked what his vision is for the next 15 years. As music is the heart of his artistry, he aspires to take Malaysian music to its highest potential. This comes in the form of cultivating a platform and space for burgeoning talent.

“It’s not easy bringing new material into our scene, but I’d like to be the first one to blaze this path for others.” What he finds most fulfilling is seeing how the industry has grown to be more accepting towards different forms of creativity. “‘Jampi’ was controversial when it was first released. Everyone was wondering what it was, and why the song was titled that way. But in due time, they warmed up to it. Whenever someone brings something new, it’s an opportunity for me to learn from them as well.”

Emerald and aquamarine diamond necklace, **DeGem**

As the interview draws to a close, it was time for a key takeaway. What would Hael Husaini like his kids to learn from this interview when they stumble upon this 10 years later? He pauses to ponder.

“My secret is that when I do music, I do it for the younger generation. When my management asks, I tell them I simply want to be part of their childhood. Songs like ‘Kelentang-Kelentong’ were enjoyed by kids a year old, and I want to be a part of their lives even 20 years from now.” Legacy, then, means playing a monumental part in his wide-spanning audiences’ lives — in ways that will outlive his own physical presence.