KUALA LUMPUR: Singer Amir Masdi, 27, said his early years in the music industry were "very tough."
Amir, who joined the industry after winning the 13th and final season of reality talent show Akademi Fantasia in 2016, had to sing in showcases without receiving payments, and even slept in the recording studio so as not to make his parents worried.
"After Akademi Fantasia 13, I sang at many venues, but in many instances the organisers did not pay me.
"As a result, whenever I visited my parents, I said 'yes' if they asked if I received payments. I had to pretend that everything was okay, I did not want them to worry," he said in a news report yesterday.
"I chose to sleep in the studio to make my parents think that I was working long hours . Actually, this was my way of 'avoiding' their questions."
Amir took such hardship stoically, and spent time in the studio learning about music production, composing and songwriting.
"Hardship builds me up as a singer. Nothing comes easy, every journey to success is a hard-fought battle," he said.
Amir released his self-titled debut album last year, and entered the finals of Anugerah Juara Lagu 35 and 37 with the songs Kau Sakiti and Debu respectively.
Debu is a duet with award-winning singer Dayang Nurfaizah.
Amir's musical mentor is veteran singer Datuk Sheikh Abdullah Sheikh Ahmad or Dato Shake who served as the principal of Akademi Fantasia 13.
