Yaziz Hassan - The Musical Prodigy

Lighting His Own Candle: Yaziz Hassan (far right) believed the importance of true success stands behind parents' blessings and own determination to work hard despite the naysayers. (PHOTO: Norhakim Azmi)

They say, be fearless in the pursuit of what keeps your soul on fire, and Mr Muhammad Yaziz bin Muhammad Hassan, 43, is the definition of fearless. Indeed, the road to success is long and winding.

After his National Service in 1993, Mr Yaziz found it difficult to get a job, especially after he did not even complete the bare minimum of his education for an ‘N’/’ O’ level certificate. He swallowed his pride to provide for himself with the $5 his mother provided him daily for three months while he struggled to get back on his own two feet. With the little money he saved overtime, he bought his first Rebana (a traditional Malay tambourine) to kick start his musical journey.

​ “My instrument was $300, but my first paid performance was merely $30!” he recalled with a laugh, still in disbelief by how much he had achieved today. “There’s so many kids out there who possess unimaginable talent, but many parents are quick to shut them down. They rescue too quickly.” 

Mr Yaziz added that not allowing their children to experience risks is one of the most crippling parenting behaviors that keep youths from growing into leaders. ​ Mocked and ridiculed by many for his interests, Mr Yaziz was put to a down-low when his relatives discriminated his idea to turn music into a professional career. He, however, was determined to prove them wrong by making the insults his fuels to keep the flame of determination burning as he pursue traditional music further single-handedly.

“I am grateful i had a supportive family who always had my back and believed in me when nobody else did. They never tried to change who I am and gave me unconditional support, physically, emotionally and financially. I would not have made it without them.”

With his determination, he managed to form Nadi Singapura in 2011. The band’s name which meant ‘The Pulse of Singapore’ is a group made up of many young aspiring, impartial musos who believed in uplifting their traditional drums and percussions like no other. Working together with his partner, co-founder Riduan Zalani, their goal is to inculcate a different approach on these malay archipelago drums to add a new breath of freshness to their presentation with the profound rhythm and harmony.

Like Family: Muhammad Syafiq (far right, in glasses) and his Nadi Singapura team before their Chingay 2017 performance. (PHOTO: Nurul Farahin)

The band filled with ambitious performers who had started small has now been rapidly evolving, performing all around the world and winning many prestigious awards and titles like Chingay 2016 Grand Champion - Perkasa Titian Warisan (The Mighty Bridge of Heritage), Chingay 2015 Best Contingent Display (with less than 300 Participants) and President's Gold Cup Award 2014. For Mr Yaziz, success is a two-way formula: personal hard work and your parents’ blessings. He emphasizes a need for supportive parents in his student's’ musical interests.

Yaziz Hassan is the choreographer and producer of the music beats for Nadi Singapura's performance and national cheer at Chingay 2017.

When asked if there are any of Mr Yaziz’s advices that resonates with him, student performer Muhammad Shafiq, 19 said: “He always made it a point to meet our parents before officially taking us as a member to make sure our parents are ready to give their full support and blessing. He always remind us to not be like him. Be better than him. One day, when we’ve built a greater name than Yaziz Hassan, he’ll be proud, because that means he have done his  job well.”

​Nadi Singapura is the only percussion group in Singapore who is recipient of the National Arts Council’s Major Grant for the period from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2019 to continue its sustenance.

This article was pitched to the People's Association and was among the Top 5 selected features.