Hael Husaini knows that music and image are interlinked better than most. The singer-songwriter makes scintillating, on-trend Malay pop like “Jampi” and “Haram” as well as winning live performances. His appearances at the 2017 and 2018 Anugerah Juara Lagu awards offered delicious excess with elaborate wardrobe designs and literal rain on the stage. Yet those memorably flashy appearances belie how hard he worked to launch his career, teaching to play via online tutorials before emerging via reality TV competition One in a Million in 2006. After stints in groups like Evo and Azhael followed, Hael evolved into an innovative solo star—and Malay pop is the better for it.