For a local rock legend who’s sold upwards of 65,000 albums throughout his 40-year career, Hanafie Warren is remarkably lowkey about his impact on the Malay music scene in Singapore.
Across an hour-long interview, the 71-year-old shrugs off questions about legacy, influence and critical acclaim – not because he’s cagey, but because the shaggy maned rocker genuinely believes that his success was buoyed by the roar of the Lion City’s music industry circa the rocking ’80s.
"And I am eternally grateful for that opportunity to share my music with the community."
Though those days are now long behind us, the rock-and-roller will be bringing his heartfelt vocals to the stage once again for Hanafie Warren: Reflections in Sound, happening one night only on August 24 at the Esplanade Recital Studio.
The local icon is backed up by an intergenerational musical tour de force by way of guitarist Addy Cradle — a 50-year-old who, like Hanafie, has been rocking since his teenage years — and his own flesh and blood, Hafidz, whose talents include musical arrangement and composition, outside of playing the keyboard, piano, and drums.
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Hanafie Warren’s journey
Almost everyone familiar with the Malay rock community knows that Hanafie Warren got his big break in the ’70s with his band The Unwanted.
But before that, Hanafie was just a regular schoolkid living in the former Kampung Lorong Charmar (along today’s Upper Bukit Timah Road).
He spent most of his childhood huddled around an old cassette player with a bunch of friends (which included members of Sweet Charity, another popular Malay rock band), craning his ears to catch the lyrics and melodies of the era’s hits.
His favourites then: “Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Bad Company”, he reveals.
"And after you listen many, many times, you start to understand the words and really hear the feelings behind the music."
The lack of a formal music education did little to slow Hanafie’s roll. During his time with The Unwanted, the rocker performed to enthusiastic crowds across Singapore and Malaysia, the latter of which was undergoing its own rock renaissance.
"The crowd, they'd just go crazy when we played, screaming and shouting. There were no mobile phones to record the concerts, so everyone was so focused on what's happening on the stage."
(We have to agree that smartphone addiction is a real issue these days.)
After producing three albums with the five-piece rock band, Hanafie graduated to a solo career in 1986, where he would go on to put out hit songs like Terperangkap Dalam Sinaran (Trapped in the Light), Masih Ada Rindu (There is Still Longing), and Penyesalan (Regret).
Hanafie’s ninth and most recent album Riwayatku (My Legacy) was produced in 2015 together with his son Hafidz – then going by the name Fifi Leong – and four other musicians in their 20s. It featured his characteristic vocals alongside new-age synth and electronic beats, and was generally well received.
First father and son act
The upcoming concert at the Esplanade will be the first time Hanafie and Hafidz share the stage.
In a way, Hafidz is almost the perfect complement to his stoic father. He is gregarious and effusive in his praise, never allowing his dad to downplay his own achievements.
“Talk about the countries you’ve been to,” he prods, to which Hanafie replies, “Oh, yes, I’ve gotten to travel to Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and of course Malaysia as a part of my journey with music.”
Hafidz, like his father, took to music since he was just a child – though that might’ve been due to some subliminal messaging.
However, unlike his father, Hafidz received classical training, specifically with the grand piano, during his childhood.
The formal lessons were a stark contrast to Hanafie’s own free-spirited musical guidance.
Hanafie Warren: Music scene a shadow of its former glory
Hanafie’s insistence that his son gets “a proper certificate” points to his sentiments about the rock scene of Singapore today.
"There is no need to come to a concert when you can listen to it at home any time you want."
He also feels that some of the most popular hits today lack the genuine emotional oomph of the oldies.
For the most part, Hanafie is largely content with the impact he made on local Malay rock. Instead of jostling with younger musicians, he’d rather just sit back, relax, and enjoy retirement with a new pastime – fishing.
But if you want a taste of Hanafie Warren at his full rockin’ glory, he will be bringing back the heat at the Esplanade in August. Expect his greatest hits, along with covers of other iconic ballads from that era.
In case you’re looking for more high-voltage rock hits from the ’80s and ’90s, local band Rock Rosettes will also be performing on 22 August 2025. Find out more here.
Hanafie Warren: Reflections in Sound takes place 24 August 2025 for one night only. Find out more here.
