Ning Baizura (born Ning Baizura binti Sheikh Hamzah on 28 June 1975 in Kajang, Malaysia), also known as Ning, is a Malaysian pop and R&B singer who records and sings in several different languages, including Bahasa Malaysia and English. She was born in Kajang, Malaysia from Arab Malay and Javanese parents.
Childhood
Ning started singing professionally at the age of six by recording radio and television jingles and began formal studies in voice at the age of nine under the renowned Indonesian opera linguist and soprano Siti Chairani for five years. In that time, she also sang with the National Choir at the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan, and was offered a full scholarship in music at the prestigious Vienna Conservatoire, which she turned down). At the age of 16, Ning had won the ‘Best Artiste Development’ award at the prestigious Voice of Asia Competition.
Career
Ning crossed over into the commercial scene in 1992 and became a recording artiste under various international labels (Sony, BMG, AMS Records Japan, and currently Warner Music Group), where she recorded within the genres of pop and R&B. Her discography includes nine full studio albums (two of which are full English albums), as well as numerous compilations. Ning has also won various industry awards and prizes, and has performed in the UK, Italy, France, China, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Monte Carlo, Monaco.
