English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare once said in one of his poems, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
These statements mean that some people are born great and don’t have to work for it; others work hard and find greatness, while a third group is given the opportunity to be great in a surprising manner.
In Roziena Ixzy’s case, the gift of singing flows seamlessly through her veins – an inherent trait woven into the very fabric of her being.
Popularly known as Roxy Ixzy, the 26-year-old emerged as Bintang RTM 2024 champion after captivating judges and audiences with her mesmerising voice and undeniable talent.
The Bidayuh lady from Kampung Bratan, Padawan is eager to give back to her community for its unwavering support throughout the competition.
In an exclusive interview with New Sarawak Tribune, Roxy talked about her humble beginnings, her family’s musical influence and important moments that have shaped her journey as an artiste.
NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE: What was growing up in a musically inclined family like?
ROXY: Music has always been a big part of our family’s activities.My father is a Bidayuh singer, my mother enjoys participating in singing competitions and my siblings have a knack for singing, too. I did not plan to pursue a career in singing because it was just a fun hobby for me. We often have karaoke session at home and sing together as a family.
How did your journey for Bintang RTM begin?
Honestly, it all started unexpectedly when I went for an RTM talent audition at Vivacity Megamall in September last year. In fact, I did not even know there was an audition going on because I was there with my siblings for an outing. When we were going down the escalator, a lady approached me and asked if I wanted to audition. When I saw others auditioning, I thought, “why not give it a try?”. I registered, took some photos, picked a song, and ended up on stage. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and I just went with the flow.
Were you nervous?
No, I was quite excited because everything happened so spontaneously. I had set a goal for myself that I should step out of my comfort zone and try something new in 2024 – the audition paved the way for me.
Did you face any challenges during the competition?
To be honest, I am not a very confident person even though the video contents on my TikTok would suggest otherwise. My voice range is low, and I cannot hit high notes like the others. So, I had to work on tweaking musical and vocal arrangement to suit my range of lower notes. This process involved working closely with the music director and it was quite challenging considering the tight time frame we had. The window for this process was short because we must perform every Saturday. After Saturday’s performance, we only had Sunday to work on this and meet the deadline. Monday to Friday before each performance were dedicated to rehearsals.
What are the lessons you have learned that you will bring forward with you?
One of the important things that I have learned is how to make a song my own through tweaking the musical and vocal arrangement. This is something I enjoy because it makes the song and my performance different. I have also learned the importance of understanding the song’s lyrics so that I can connect with the song. This connection enables me to deliver the song to greater heights and this is reflected in my overall performance. Besides the numerous lessons learned, I have also made many friends whom I cherish.
Did your parents offer any words of advice that motivated you?
Throughout my journey, my family members have been incredibly supportive. They travelled to Kuala Lumpur to show their support which meant a lot to me. It put me at ease seeing familiar faces in the audience. While my parents didn’t offer specific advice regarding music, my mother always emphasised the importance of humility in my journey as an artiste. She encouraged me to remain true to myself while staying humble even amidst success. Similarly, my dad takes great pride in my artistic endeavours and consistently reminds me not to forget my roots and family despite the busyness of life.
NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE: As a big fan of the legendary Dayang Nurfaizah, what was it like meeting your idol in real life?
Dayang was one of the invited guest judges during the competition and meeting her was a dream come true. She’s as stunning in person as she is on stage. In fact, she selected me as her favourite performer of the night, and this was a great honour for me. Although I only managed to have a brief conversation with her, she encouraged me to stay true to myself. It was a surreal fangirling moment, but sadly I did not get the chance to take pictures with her.
NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE: Looking ahead, do you envision any opportunities for collaboration with Dayang?
Absolutely, that will be incredible. Picture this – a Sarawak Day concert featuring Dayang Nurfaizah alongside Roxy Ixzy. It’s a dream scenario, one that I hold dear and want to make a reality. Another aspiration of mine is to co-create or collaborate on a song with Dayang. The prospect of crafting a fresh track with Malaysia’s queen of R&B is exciting, and I am hopeful for the chance to make it happen in the future.
What do you hope to achieve locally and internationally for your career?
Well, I have some plans in mind. For starters, I would like to focus on giving back to the Bidayuh community which has been incredibly supportive. So, our priority is to make an impact locally, starting with the Bidayuh community before venturing into other platforms. In fact, we have a homecoming concert planned for April. Looking at the international stage, I would like to break into the Indonesian market because the R&B music industry is thriving there.
Lastly, can you share some words of wisdom to Sarawakians who aspire to be singers?
If you dream of becoming an artiste, just go for it! Don’t hold back – believe in yourself, be confident and pursue your passions. Personally, I have found inspiration and learnt from the YouTube videos. I practise singing by exploring different vocal ranges, working on pronunciation, and even practising facial expressions. So, if you are aspiring to be an artiste, too, do not hesitate to explore resources like YouTube and dedicate time to practise and improve.
