THE limelight has been evading singer-songwriter Imran Ajmain for seven years.

The former Singapore Idol contestant (he and good friend Taufik Batisah signed up at the same time) has finally released his debut album Dengan Secara Kebetulan (By Pure Coincidence).

The 25-year-old is popular in the local hip-hop community as the director of the two-year-old Beats Society.

The organisation promotes awareness of hip-hop music here.

Imran admitted in an interview with The New Paper that he never thought he would cut a Malay album.

'I started singing in Malay only over the past two years. I had always pictured myself as an English singer,' he said.

The opportunity came when he was invited to sing at an event organised by Sungguh Hot, an online Malay entertainment portal.

'I translated an English song, Love, by American hip-hop artist Musiq Soulchild into Malay. After that came more opportunities to perform,' said Imran, who is of Malay and Dutch-Indonesian heritage.

Jems Promotions offered to record his debut album, which will be released in mid-September.

The first single Sudah Tu Sudah (Enough) has already hit No 8 on the Ria charts this week.

Imran co-wrote some of the songs on the album with Taufik.

In an earlier interview with The New Paper, Taufik said that Imran was writing several tracks for his upcoming Malay-English album.

Imran's song, Cinta (Love), will also be featured in Malaysian singer Anuar Zain's new album.

'That song has come a full circle for me. Six years ago, I wrote this song for an album that didn't work out.

'Then Anuar Zain picked it up and my friends in Malaysia tell me that every time he sings it, he mentions my name. I am excited about that.'

Not too bad for a guy who was kicked out of the top 45 during the first season of Singapore Idol.

'I sang Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (by Elton John and George Michael). No one remembered me because I didn't get that much screen time. Thank goodness!' said the former Siglap Secondary School student.

But Imran wasn't crushed. 'I was not upset. I know I am not meant to be in Idol.'

He didn't join the second season of Idol because he 'wouldn't be able to record this album'.

Yet, he confessed he was relieved to be in the limelight finally.

'I wanted to do an album for a long time. I either sang for free or at events which had no publicity.'

Still, he admitted that having his picture in the newspapers is something that takes getting used to.

'It's weird having the makciks (Malay for aunties) stare at me.'