Mohamad Nasir bin Mohamed Sam (born 4 July 1957) is a Singaporean born poet, singer-songwriter, composer, producer, actor and film director also known as a Sifu in the Malaysian music industry.
Early life M. Nasir was born on July 4, 1957, in Bukit Panjang, Singapore. He is the fourth of nine siblings. His father, Mohamed Sam, came from Pagoh, Muar in Johor and emigrated to Singapore as he was employed as a firefighter with the Singapore Civil Defence Force, whilst his mother is a Singaporean Malay.
After Singapore was expelled from the Malaysian Federation in 1965, his family obtained Singaporean citizenship and began his early education at both Bukit Panjang Primary School as well as the Bukit Panjang Government High School until finishing his GCE O-Level exams. After studying at the Boys Town Vocational Institute, he attended the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and graduated with a diploma in Western painting in 1978.
Career
M. Nasir had been deeply exposed to music not only through listening to the radio but also through his elder brother who had brought him purchased records of bands such as Bob Dylan, Queen, Al Stewart and Led Zeppelin while they were growing up in Singapore in the 1960s and 1970s.
He was roped into music making in 1978 when a friend of his Wan Ibrahim, then executive producer of PolyGram Singapore, invited him to write song lyrics for the band Alleycats, who were rising in popularity at that time.
Nasir decided to venture into singing, releasing his debut album Untuk Pencinta Seni under the name of Mohamad M.N. in 1979, which ended up being a flop. He moved on to form the folk rock act Kembara in 1981 with A. Ali, S. Sahlan and siblings Abby and Eddie Ali. The Ali siblings however left the group in its infancy due to disagreements on picking the band's genre.
Kembara released their own self-titled debut album, which became a commercial success with 25,000 copies sold. The band went on to release six albums and before disbanding in late 1985.
After Kembara disbanded, Nasir went solo again. In 1989, he released his second solo album, S.O.L.O. under PMC/BMG. This was his first solo album in 10 years since Untuk Pencinta Seni (1979) and the first to be registered under his present name. He went on record five more solo albums – namely Saudagar Mimpi (1992), Canggung Mendonan (1993), Srikandi Cintaku (1999), Phoenix Bangkit (2001) and Sang Pencinta (2006), all of which became commercial successes. Though Nasir announced that he will release an 8th studio album, it did not materialise.
He also dabbles in the art of painting, particularly abstract art. He has conducted several exhibitions on his canvas works; the first being Tanda in 2014 and Tanda II in 2015, both in Shah Alam.
Personal life Nasir moved with his family to Malaysia in 1982, where he became a naturalised citizen in 1990.
He married Junainah Johari (born 1962), who was the lead singer of Ideal Sisters, Singapore's earliest girl group on September 12, 1980. Their relationship – from which they have five children namely Ilham, Yasin, Hidayat, Syafi'i and Nurnilam Sari – lasted until Junainah's death on 8 August 1998 due to asthma. Nasir's second marriage not long after in 2000 was with actress Marlia Musa (born 1969), a native of Johor Bahru, and they both have a daughter named Suci Musalmah.
His children are also involved in music making: Ilham, Yasin and Hidayat make up the band Pitahati while Syafi'i is a member of the psychedelic rock band Ramayan.
His father, Mohamed Sam (born 1925), died on 28 January 2021 due to natural causes at the age of 96. Nasir was unable to return to Singapore to attend his father's funeral due to COVID-19 restrictions. This was followed by his mother, Aesah Yahya (born 1933) who died on 26 March 2023 at the age of 90, also due to natural causes and old age.
Partial discography With Kembara Kembara (1981) Perjuangan (1982) Generasi Ku (1983) Seniman Jalanan (1984) 1404 Hijrah (1984) Duit (1985) Lagu-Lagu Dari Filem Kembara Seniman Jalanan (1986)
Solo albums Untuk Pencinta Seni (1979) Irama M. Nasir – instrumental LP (1982) S.O.L.O. (1989) Saudagar Mimpi (1992) Canggung Mendonan (1993) Srikandi Cintaku (1999) Phoenix Bangkit (2001) Sang Pencinta (2006)
Duet album(s) Dia Ibuku – with Yunizar Hussein (1981)
Compilation albums Best Of Kembara (2001) Best of M. Nasir Dengan Kembara (2001)
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1986 Kembara Seniman Jalanan Bujang Also as writer and composer Balik Kampung Album Producer 1990 Fenomena Azlan 1992 Selubung Kamal 1993 Balada Desa 1994 Simfoni Duniaku Iskandar 1996 Merah Hassan Also as director and co-writer 1999 Perempuan Melayu Terakhir Stage Actor 2001 Putih Prince Aftus Voice only 2004 Puteri Gunung Ledang Hang Tuah 2010 Magika Naga Tasik Chini (the Chini Lake Dragon) 2014 Yasmine Datuk Raja Nan Hitam Brunei movie 2017 Tombiruo: Penunggu Rimba Tan Sri Berham 2022 Rajawali Komang 2023 Imam Haji Mihad 2025 Ejen Ali: The Movie 2 Cero Voice only
Television Year Title Role TV channel Notes 2005 Akademi Fantasia (season 3) Himself (Principal) Astro Ria Reality TV show 2017–2021 Omar & Hana Atuk Astro Ceria 2019-2025 Sepahtu Reunion Live Cameo/Guest Artist Astro Warna
Television series Year Title Role TV channel 2000 Salam Taj Mahal Master Ji TV3 2018 Dosa: Sacred Sin Latif Astro First Exclusive 2023 Special Force: Anarchy Umar Disney+ Hotstar
Awards and achievements YearAwardCategoryNominee(s) and recipient(s)Results1984Malaysia Film FestivalBest Song"Sandarkan Kepada Kenangan" – from the movie Azura1990Malaysia Film FestivalBest SongIstana MenantiBest Original Film ScoreFenomena1994Anugerah Juara LaguBest Irama Malaysia Song"Bonda"Best Pop Rock Song"Tanya Sama Itu Hudhud"Best PerformanceOverall Best Song of the YearMalaysian Video AwardsSilver Award"Mentera Semerah Padi"1995Anugerah Bintang PopularMost Popular Artiste1997Anugerah Skrin TV3Best FilmMerah2001Anugerah Planet MuzikPopular Male ArtisteBest Male ArtisteBest AlbumPhoenix BangkitAnugerah Bintang PopularMost Popular Male SingerAnugerah Industri MuzikBest Male Vocal PerformanceSrikandi CintakuBest Rock Album ProducerAKU – by Amy Search2002Anugerah Indusri MuzikWIRAMA Award – honorary award for great contributions towards the Malaysian music Industry2012Angerah Juara LaguBest SongAwan Nano – performed by Hafiz
Other honours 1994: Awarded the Ahli Mangku Negara (A.M.N.) by the then-Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman. 2001: Awarded the Ahli Mahkota Pahang (A.M.P) by the Sultan of Pahang, Ahmad Shah. 2012: Awarded the ‘Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang’ by the Sultan of Pahang, which grants the title of "Dato'". 2014: Conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Creative Industries Management) by Universiti Utara Malaysia. 2022: Conferred the Honorary Doctorate in Performance by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.
References
External links
M. Nasir & Luncai Emas Official Website Muzik Nusantara – Hamlau Musicmoz.org Prahara Seni