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WHO would have thought that a very simple melody could change a literally unknown group into a household name among Malaysian music scene? Samseng is the song, and Ahli Fiqir is the name of the group.

Just when you thought rap in Bahasa Melayu is not as attractive as it is in its native America, Ahli Fiqir manages to change the perception. The group has proven that you do not have to rap in English to be noticed. It has also proven that it is possible to do it in Bahasa Melayu without sounding pretentious.

"Unbelievable combination ....something special had arrived....long awaited breath of freshness and make me proud to be a part of this most beloved culture" - Shiekh Haikal (Emcee, Actor, Comedian)

Less than a year ago, when the group made its major stage debut in Kuala Lumpur at the Malay Mail Big Walk in front of thousands at Dataran Merdeka, not many people could figure out who the members of the group were.

Where were they from? Which label were they signed to? At that point, keen eyes and ears knew something was about to happen to the group which was then merely perceived as a Singaporean outfit trying to break it into the Malaysian music scene.

The song Ahli Fiqir performed at Dataran Merdeka, Samseng, months later became such a hit, played almost continuously on almost all radio stations repeatedly. Still, despite the overwhelming response from the Malaysian listeners, Ahli Fiqir remained a big mystery.

Samseng continued to capture the imagination of many, including Ahli Fiqir home country Singapore as well as among hip-hop fans in Indonesia. As the song "ravaged" the airwaves, the story of Ahli Fiqir also began to unravel.

The group initially comprised three members - Fadali Mohd Darif or Daly (ahlifiqir), Samsolnahar Sibengat (Samsol the tukangkata) and Noor Hidayati Mohamed Yusop (Dayat, aka Mawar Berduri).

Later on, as they started to expand their musical horizon, another member joined. He is Indonesian turntablist Ceza Mutyara (now dj cza), who has somehow added a little more depth to Ahli Fiqir's sound, with his unique techniques.

"AhliFiqir will be an important milestone in the Malaysian, even Asian, hip-hop scene, ushering in a new age" - Ahmad Izham Omar (Songwriter, Musician, 8tv's CEO)

While Samseng seems like a simple tune, the meaning is not, and the credentials each member brings into the group is not as, well, that simple too. Daly, for instance is not just a youngster who came into the hip hop scene by accident.

Prior to Ahli Fiqir, he was already known in Singapore as one of the movers of the "dikir" music scene. Yes, he plays the rebana too, and Daly is also the lead vocalist and a trainer of sort for several dikir groups in the republic.

He had also been one of the regular judges for many of the "dikir tournaments" and competition.

However, it was not enough for Daly. His gift to form rhymes from words soon turned into more poetic projects with a purpose.

After all, with messages and ideas that he had always wanted to share through his wit and talent, he needed to move on. So, he turned to a genre that offers similarity in concept – rap and hip-hop.

In this new medium, Daly began to develop his rapid fire rap style with easy to understand words, and to top that, he proved to be pretty charismatic on stage too.

"Powerful…poetic…will take Aian hip-hop to the next level… and the world is ready for them" – Mizznina (Emcee, Radio DJ)

In 2002, for the first time, he set up a hip hop group, to what is now known as Ahli Fiqir.

Musically, he has really grown. His other notable projects include Too Phat's Alhamdulillah. He also performed the popular track with Too Phat at Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2003. He is also part Aci-Aci Buka Pintu, a song which is included in an album recorded by fellow Singaporean Lynn.

The next member in Ahli Fiqir is tukang kata Samsol, an expert in modern and classic Malay language. Like Daly, he was also involved in dikir projects that led him to more sophisticated and progressive music styles.

His poetry and words are pretty "individual" and personal, and his main aim now is to alleviate his art to another level and meld it with the more modern and experimental hip hop sound. Samsol wants his message to be heard in a more refined and artistic way – whenever possible that is.

Supplying the supple female voice is Dayat, who is rather versatile in her singing. Having her in the group somehow "softens" that structural feel of Ahli Fiqir. Imagine Daly's rapid fire "sermon" on top of Samsol poetic words, intertwined with Dayat's seductive yet strong voice. In short, Dayat is the melody of the group.

Completing the quartet is Ceza, a Medan-born guy who decided to become a turntablist after bumping into a dj in the streets of Camden, England.

Ceza has been on the scene for quite a while, performing with the likes of Teh Tarik Crew and KLg Sqwad. He was also part of various competitions including Extravaganza Vestax 2003 and 2004.

Utilising eastern influences and sounds in his work certainly augurs well with the overall Ahli Fiqir soundscape, and that makes Ceza pretty important in the growth of the group.

"Rap with Attitude! Ahli fiqir salah satu hip-hop next big thing in Asia, why? Flow yang unik! & they got their own style!! Bukti kalau mereka bunya ciri khas!!! 2 thumbs up!! " - DJ Anca (105 KISS FM MEDAN)

Now, after the success of Samseng, Ahli Fiqir is going to hit the Malaysian listeners yet again with another unique sound via its new single, Angguk-Angguk Geleng-Geleng. This is a collaboration between Ahli Fiqir and two other hip hop enthusiasts Syaheed and Qumran.

Qumran, who is also among the collaborators in projects by hip-hop bands like Too Phat and Teh Tarik Crew, is also at the helm of Ahli Fiqir full album, Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah, which will be out soon.

"Styles from 3 nations merging to take hip hop to another direction" – DJ Tbone (Turntablist, Club/ Touring DJ)

The album, produced by Powder Records and distributed by Warner Music, is expected to "surprise" and titillate music lovers in Malaysia with its unique blend of traditional Malay sounds and urban contemporary music.

Can Ahli Fiqir pull it off? Well, the success of Samseng said it all. The ball, as they say, is now in the listener's court…

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