Qadeem Zieman Introduces “Pesona” After Open-Heart Surgery, The Divo as Romancer
PRESS RELEASE
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian singer-songwriter Qadeem Zieman, 22, presents “Pesona,”
a jazz-infused single that reflects on charm, authenticity, and the power of
quiet confidence — marking a defining moment in his artistic evolution.
Written by Qadeem and composed by respected producer Rosli Ahmad, Pesona
— meaning “charm” or “allure” in Malay — explores attraction not
as something performative, but as a philosophy of something instinctive and
effortless.
The song was conceived during a pivotal chapter in Qadeem’s life. In August,
he underwent open-heart surgery and spent 42 days in the hospital,
a period that forced stillness, vulnerability, and heightened emotional
awareness. During his recovery, he encountered several people, including a
relative, who attempted to flirt with him. Yet none held his attention.
Qadeem, who admits he is drawn to people who do not try too hard, found
such behaviour suffocating rather than endearing.
“When someone tries too hard, you feel it immediately,” he says. “It’s loud. It fills the
room. And it leaves no space to breathe.”
It was during this time that he recalled a story shared by an old friend
of his late mother, award-winning celebrity journalist Zieman, about the late diva’s
extraordinary presence. He was told that Zieman captivated effortlessly,
without display or persuasion.
“She didn’t have to prove anything,” Qadeem recalls. “Her voice was soft, her presence
calm — and yet everyone noticed her.”
“I kept thinking, why can’t they be more like that?” says the divo who embodies his
parents’ magnetism, yet he finds it hard to find anyone to make his match.
That thought became the emotional backbone of Pesona. Qadeem wrote
the lyrics and sent them to Rosli Ahmad with a clear request
“I wanted romance, sensuality, merged into the violins.” Says the poetic romancer
A Jazz Artist Returning to His Roots
Though Pesona marks Qadeem’s first official jazz release, music
has been central to his life since early childhood. He began singing at the age
of six, first performing at the lobby of Hotel Singgahsana, where
early exposure to live audiences shaped his confidence and vocal identity.
He also worked as a model from the age of four until recently,
stepping away to rest following his surgery. Qadeem does not plan to return to
modelling, but has been repeatedly coaxed and offered roles in films and
television dramas.
“If I act, it has to feel honest,” he says. “Romance and comedy interest me — but not
if they’re predictable.”
Musically, Qadeem grew up immersed in classic jazz and vocal standards,
listening to Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Julio
Iglesias, Shirley Bassey, and other greats whose work emphasised phrasing,
elegance, and emotional control. Although he later experimented with mainstream
Malay pop, including his debut single “Pada Malam” (2020), those genres
never fully reflected his artistic instincts.
Personal works, such as an Italian-language single, Strade Separate
(Separate Roads), recorded after a breakup in 2023, and “Haruskah Hati
Merindu,” written for his father, reaffirmed his desire to return to jazz
and classical influences.
“When I listened back, I realised — this is where my voice and emotions
belong,” he says.
With “Pesona,” Qadeem Zieman claims his place as a modern divo — a romancer who no longer needs to raise his voice.
About Qadeem Zieman
Beyond music, Qadeem Zieman is also a poet and journalist, and was
recognised for his creative and humanitarian work with the Outstanding
Creator of the Year 2024 honour. His multidisciplinary background informs
his songwriting, which prioritises narrative, emotional restraint, and lyrical
precision.
His late mother was an acclaimed lyricist of the 1980s and 1990s,
a legacy that continues to shape his respect for language and storytelling.
“My mother told me that every word is a prayer,” Qadeem says. “So, I’m more careful
with them.”
He is currently working toward an upcoming EP/album, featuring
jazz- and classical-influenced compositions written over the years.
“Pesona” is now available on all major digital streaming platforms.
