Ismail Izzani

Putting all your trust in your own musical instincts is daunting, but for Ismail Izzani it was a risk worth taking. After debuting with slow-burning ballad “Sabar” in 2017, the following year’s self-penned “Save Me” was a 180-degree turn: seeing him strut well-choreographed steps to a more upbeat slice of R&B, drawing K-pop comparisons. But all it actually showed was an artist’s restless desire to fulfil his potential as an all-round pop performer. And Izzani (born in 2000) has continued to perfect his repertoire and become a serious hit-maker—with buckets of irresistible boyish charm to boot.