Taufik Batisah is a household name in Singapore’s entertainment scene, known for his soulful vocals and charisma. Rising to fame as the first-ever winner of Singapore Idol in 2004, he has since established himself as a versatile artist with multiple award-winning albums, including Blessings and All Because of You. Beyond music, Taufik has expanded his repertoire to include acting and entrepreneurship, earning admiration for his dedication to the arts and his contributions to Malay music.
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Last December, Taufik stepped into a new role as a judge for Kaki Nyanyi, Mediacorp’s latest Malay reality singing competition. The show brings together 24 aspiring musicians in a unique format that emphasizes collaboration and creativity, with contestants reimagining songs and crafting hybrid performances. As part of a star-studded judging panel, Taufik aims to nurture the next generation of local talent, offering guidance and insights shaped by his own journey in the entertainment industry.
Taufik also stars as Irfan in the drama Provocative, that premiered on 6 January. In this suspenseful and heartwarming series, he plays a successful property agent navigating family dynamics while supporting his wife Nadrah, portrayed by Adlina Adil. With these projects, Taufik continues to showcase his multifaceted talents, balancing his passion for music, acting, and mentoring with ease. We gained deeper insights into his experience as a judge and his acting role, while he also shared his future plans for 2025.
Kaki Nyanyi
How do you think Kaki Nyanyi will influence Singapore’s music landscape, particularly for the Malay music scene?
Kaki Nyanyi has the potential to be a game-changer for the Malay music scene in Singapore. Traditionally, the Malay music scene here has had limited visibility. But with a show like this, we can really provide a platform for our young local musicians to be seen and, most importantly, be heard. The format of the show allows for a deeper exploration of the contestants’ musicality and it shows that they are not just singers. I believe that regardless of the outcome, if they win or lose, the experiences and the skillsets that the contestants have gained from the show will elevate the quality of our local music culture. I’m excited to see how Kaki Nyanyi can push the boundaries of what’s possible and encourage more people to embrace Malay music in all its forms.
What are the most important qualities you’re looking for in the contestants, and why are those qualities significant in today’s music industry?
In today’s music industry, it’s not just about the voice. It’s about how authentic you are. The qualities I’m looking for are raw passion, originality, and the ability to connect emotionally with the audience. We live in a time when people crave authenticity over perfection. If you can communicate your story through your music, you can truly stand out. A contestant should have a clear sense of their own identity because in this oversaturated digital world, people want to hear real stories and voices that resonate. Technical ability is important, but heart and soul are what make a lasting impression.
Kaki Nyanyi emphasizes collaboration. From your experience, how do you balance individuality with group cohesion in a performance?
As a performer, I’ve learned that collaboration is key to creating something truly special. In any group performance, the challenge is maintaining your individuality while supporting the whole. For example, when I’m performing in a group, I focus on my own strengths – my vocal tone, my stage presence. But it is very important for me to also listen to my collaborators. Harmony, both vocally and energetically, is essential. The goal isn’t just to stand out, but to complement each other and build something that’s bigger than the sum of its parts. That’s the essence of any great performance, balancing between standing out and blending in. In the context of Kaki Nyanyi, it’s about creating an environment where contestants can still be true to their unique styles but also be open to learning from each other and growing together.
Elimination is a part of any competition. What’s one time in your career when you faced a major setback, and how did you grow from it?
There were many setbacks in my career. Many people don’t understand the pressure of winning Singapore Idol and being a musician in a very small country. There’s always this sense of expectation, not just from my fans but also from myself. I thought that after winning, everything would be smooth sailing. But in reality, the pressure to stay relevant and constantly top myself was overwhelming. There were many periods when I felt a bit lost, unsure of what direction to take next especially when I wasn’t getting the kind of response I expected from some of my new music or projects. What I learned was that success isn’t linear. Sometimes, you have to take a step back, reflect, regroup and find your path again. I started writing more, collaborating with others, diversifying my artistry and looking at my music from a fresh perspective. It was humbling, but ultimately it made me stronger and more focused on what really mattered, making music that I like.
Provocative
Irfan is a successful property agent, but what do you think his biggest personal flaw is, and how did you work to portray that in your performance?
Irfan’s biggest flaw is his arrogance and the way he uses his success as a shield. He’s confident to the point of being dismissive, especially when it comes to his personal relationships. He believes his professional success should accord him certain privileges and that sense of entitlement leads him to making decisions that hurt those around him. To portray this, I had to tap into his insecurities. Beneath his bravado, Irfan is vulnerable, and his pride masks the fear of failure. I tried to show that duality, his confident exterior versus the fragile interior. It was a challenge, but it was also one of the most rewarding parts of playing Irfan.
Provocative tackles betrayal, redemption, and deceit. What do you think is the most important moral question the show raises?
The most important moral question is whether redemption is possible after a deep betrayal. Can someone truly change and make amends for the harm they’ve caused? The show doesn’t provide easy answers. It’s about exploring human flaws, how we justify our actions, and whether there’s a way back from betrayal. For Irfan, the question becomes: Can he rebuild trust after losing it? And as viewers, we’re left to ask ourselves if we can truly forgive someone who has wronged us, and what it takes for that one’s redemption to feel real.
This isn’t your first acting role, but Provocative has a unique, intense tone. How was the experience different from your past acting projects?
Playing Irfan in Provocative is definitely the most intense role I’ve taken on to date. In past roles, I’ve had characters that were more straightforward or light-hearted. But Irfan is complex, with layers of conflict and emotional depth that really forced me to push my limits. The tone of the show also sets it apart. Every scene had to be carefully crafted to reflect the tension between characters. It was a different kind of challenge, but I enjoyed the complexity and depth of the character.
How has your acting approach evolved over the years, and what new challenges did Provocative bring to the table?
Over the years, I’ve become more comfortable in letting go of my inhibitions and really diving into the emotional core of my characters. Early on, I was focused on delivering the lines, but now I focus more on the subtext, the emotions that lie beneath the dialogue. Provocative brought a whole new level of complexity because Irfan is so morally ambiguous. It was a challenge to make him both relatable and flawed without making him a villain. I had to show that he’s capable of change, even if he doesn’t fully understand it himself. This role forced me to dig deeper than ever before, and I think it’s made me a stronger, more nuanced actor.
