Artiste Profile
Nor Zila Aminuddin, known as Ella®, is a celebrated Malaysian singer and songwriter, often referred to as the “Ratu Rock” (Queen of Rock) for her groundbreaking role in a male-dominated industry. She began her career in 1987 as the frontwoman of Ella & The Boys before launching a successful solo career in 1988. Ella’s iconic look—long black hair, jeans, and boots—embodies rock chic.
Key milestones in her career include:
- Singing the official song for the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
- Setting records for album sales and being the first Malaysian artist to record an album in the U.S.
- Performing at the 2010 “Help the Tiger” concert in Russia.
- Receiving various awards, including the Music Legend Award in 2013 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
- Serving as an ambassador for Malaysia’s National Association for the Prevention of Drugs (PEMADAM) in 2018.
In 2023, she celebrated 35 years in music with two sold-out concerts in Kuala Lumpur, setting a record for ticket sales. Ella is recognized as the all-time best-selling female artist in Malaysia and enjoys a strong fanbase across Southeast Asia, continuing to influence and inspire generations.
STUDIO ALBUM
1987 Ella & The Boys
1988 Anak Merdeka
1989 Pengemis Cinta
1990 Puteri Kota (3 x Platinum)
1990 Identiti
1992 Ella 30110 (5 x Platinum)
1994 Ella USA (6 x Platinum)
1999 El
2001 Ilham Bicara
2003 Simbiosis
2007 Rama-Rama
2017 Peace.Love.Rindu
COMPILATION/REMIX/LIVE ALBUM
1985 Battle Of The Bands (Ella & The Boys)
1986 Battle Of The Bands – Round 2 (Ella & The Boys)
1991 Koleksi Terbaik
1992 Kesal
1993 Dua Insan Bercinta
1993 Unggul
1993 Ella 100% Remix
1995 Ella 8494
1996 Demi Ella
1997 Reflexi
2000 Diva Metal
2002 Puteri Rock
2005 A Journey Beyond… the very best of Ella
2005 Ratu Rock
2007 Kasih
2009 Greatest Hits
SINGLES
1997 Jalan Ke Sisimu
1998 Aku (OST Silat Lagenda)
1998 Lagenda 25
1998 Standing In The Eyes Of The World
2000 Baldu Biru (duet with Awie)
2005 Teruja (OST Gol & Gincu)
2005 Percaya Diriku (OST Gol & Gincu)
2012 Menyanyilah La La La
2013 Sayang (Duet with Shae)
2013 Mereka Yang Di Depan Kita
2013 Permaisuri (Duet with Ajai)
2013 Chinta Dulu Kala (Duet with Azlan Typewritter)
2014 Risalah Cinta (Duet with Anji)
2015 Raya Ini Ada Dia
2015 Istimewah
CONCERT/LIVE PERFORMANCES
Concert
1986 Konsert Battle Of The Bands di Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur
1986 Konsert Battle Of The Bands jelajah Malaysia
1986 Konsert Terbuka Ella & The Boys di Panggung Anniversari, Kuala Lumpur
1987 Konsert Ella & The Boys di Stadium Indra Mulia, Ipoh, Perak
1989 Konsert Kotaraya bersama artis-artis rock di Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur
1989 Konsert Seni & Suara bersama Ramli Sarip & Lefthanded di Stadium Negara, Singapura
1989 Konsert Rock Salem bersama MAY & BPR di Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur
1990 Konsert Revolusi Salem jelajah Malaysia, bersama Search & Wings
1993 Konsert Hari Valentine Bersama Ella di Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur
1993 Konsert jelajah Malaysia – ELLA 30110
1993 Konsert Solo Ella di Stadium Tertutup, Singapura
1994 Konsert jelajah Malaysia – ELLA USA
1995 Konsert jelajah Malaysia – ELLA 8494
1995 Konsert Ella Ten Years di Rooftop, Sungei Wang Plaza, Kuala Lumpur
1996 Konsert jelajah Malaysia – Demi Ella
1999 Konsert Pop Orkestra DBKL bersama Ella dan Fauziah Latiff di Auditorium DBKL, Kuala Lumpur
1999 Konsert Mega Peter Stuyvesant ’99 di Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
2002 Konsert mini “Aku, Myself and Ella“ – Hard Rock Café, Saloma Bistro & Planet Hollywood, Kuala Lumpur
2002 Konsert Aku, Myself & Ella – Amphitheatre, Jerudong Park, Brunei
2003 Konsert Mini Sunday Nite Live Bersama Ella – Planet Hollywood, Kuala Lumpur
2006 Konsert Triple Mega Malindo di Bukit Kiara Country & Resort, Kuala Lumpur
2007 Konsert Mini Sunday Nite Live with Ella – Planet Hollywood, Kuala Lumpur
2007 Konsert Rock Live! – Esplanade, Singapura
2009 Konsert Mini Ella – ‘People & Places With Powershot’ – The Mist Club, Kuala Lumpur
2010 Konsert Ella bersama Orkestra Simfoni Kebangsaan – Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur
2010 Konsert Red On Black (bersama Search & Wings) – Stadium Darul Makmur, Kuantan
2012 Konsert Awie & Ella – Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur
2012 Konsert Ella & Awie – The Max Pavilion, Singapura
2013 Konsert “MPO Rocks” bersama Man Kidal dan Mus May – Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS
2014 Konsert Mini ‘This is Rockin Sunday with ELLA’ – Hard Rock Café, Kuala Lumpur
2016 Konsert Ella 2016, Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam, Selangor.
2017 Konsert ELLA – Kembara Ratu Rock – Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapura.
2017 Konsert Ella ‘Live’ With The MPO – A Rock Queen’s Journey di Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS
2019 Konsert Ella Unplugged in Kuala Lumpur – Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur
2019 Konsert Mini “Love Raya Bersama Ella“ – Muslim Delight, Singapore
2019 Konsert Haus Boom Music 2019 with Hujan, Bunkface etc. – Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
2020 Konsert Kembara Kita – Ramli Sarip & Ella di Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur.
2022 Konsert Muzik Lagenda at Victoria Theatre, Singapore.
2023 Rockl4sik In Concert with Search, Gersang & Majesty at Esplanade Concert hall, Singapura.
2023 Konsert Jilid Akhir: Ella Puteri Kota di Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur.
2023 Konsert Jilid Akhir: Ella Puteri Kota di The Star Theatre, Singapura.
2023 Konsert Jilid Akhir: Ella Puteri Kota di SPICE Arena, Pulau Pinang.
2024 Konsert Jilid Akhir: Ella Puteri Kota di Sabah International Convention Centre, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
2024 Konsert Jilid Rockestra Ella: Rockers Juga Manusia di Plenary Hall, KL Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
2024 Konsert Jilid Akhir Rockestra Ella: Rockers Juga Manusia di The Star Theater, Singapura.
The Iconic Rockqueen Singer
Career Highlight
1990 Participated in the 19th Song Festival Tokyo at Nakino Sun Plaza, Tokyo, Japan
1990 Participated in the ASEAN Music Scene held by Monichi Broadcasting Tokyo in PWTC, Kuala Lumpur.
1991 Participated in ASEAN Pop Music Festival in Jogjakarta, Indonesia.
1991 Malaysia’s first video album – Ella Mood.
1992 Participated in Asian Music Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia.
1992 Contested in the International Pop Music & Song Contest in Kazakhstan.
1993 Performed in two (2) special concerts in conjunction with Asian Sound Wave Festival in Tokyo, Japan.
1993 Layar Impian was Listed in MTV Asia chart for 15 weeks in a row.
1994 The first Malaysian singer to record an album entirely in the United States of America for album USA.
1998 Chosen to sing “Standing in the Eyes of the World“ composed by Wah Idris and David Gates, as the official song for the 16th Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
1999 Recorded “World Without Your Love” composed by Richard Marx and “Pedih” composed by Jascha Richter of Michael Learns To Rock for album El.
1999 Work closely with Slash from Guns N’ Roses who played on the track “Bayangan” in album El.
2010 Performed in “Help the Tiger” All-Star Concert at Mikhailovsky Theatre in conjunction with the International Tiger Conservation Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia.
2012 Winner of TV3’s talent search Mentor 6 with her protégé Caroline.
2013 Received the Music Legend Award at the Top Asia Corporate Ball 2013 by the renown Top 10 of Asia magazine.
2014 ELLA was chosen by Tourism Malaysia to sing the song, ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’ as the theme song for Visit Malaysia Year 2014.
2015 First runner up of TV3’s talent search Mentor Legend with her protégé Aina.
2016 Ella’s first large scale concert after 20 years, “Konsert Ella 2016” at Stadium Malawati Shah Alam, successfully drew in a massive 8,000 strong crowd.
2017 Ella’s first solo concert in Singapore after 20 years, “ELLA – Kembara Ratu Rock” at Esplanade, Singapore, successfully sold out of seats.
2017 Ella’s two-night sold out concerts at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, “Ella ‘Live’ With The MPO – A Rock Queen’s Journey” was not only her first solo concert with MPO at DFP but also made history as the first ever solo concert by a rock artist at the prestigious hall.
2023 Ella’s two-night sold out concerts at Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur drew a massive 20,000 strong crowd which makes her the only local singer that can sell out concert 2 nights in a row at the most sought after concert venue in Malaysia.
Awards & Recognitions
1987 Dubbed as Malaysia’s Queen of Rock
1991 Triple Platinum Plaque for Puteri Kota album sold more than 190,000 units in Malaysia.
1993 5 x Platinum Plaque for 30110 album sold more than 250,000 units in Malaysia.
1993 Most Popular Female Singer in Anugerah Bintang Popular 1993.
1995 6 x Platinum Plaque for 30110 album sold more than 300,000 units in Malaysia.
2001 Listed in the Malaysia Book of Records as Malaysia’s First Artist With the Highest Number of Sold Albums and Malaysia’s First Artist to Record a Full Album in the United States.
2010 Conferred an honorary award “Pingat Setia Mahkota Pahang” (S.M.P) by Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang.
2012 Listed in the Malaysia Book of Records as Malaysia’s First Queen of Rock.
2016 Listed in the Malaysia Book of Records for the successful flash mob gimmick comprising 115 musicians and singers leading up to Konsert Ella 2016 as the Most Number of Musicians Performing at A Press Conference.
2017 Received ‘ANUGERAH KHAS PENCAPAIAN SEPANJANG HAYAT’ (Lifetime Achievement Award) at the Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian (ABPBH) 2016 for her contribution in the Malaysian music industry.
2017 Received recognition as “ASEAN MOST RECOGNISED BRAND in Leading Performance Artist of the Year” at the ASEAN Outstanding Business Award 2017.
2017 Received Anugerah Khas Planet Muzik (Planet Music Special Award) at the Anugerah Planet Muzik (APM) 2017 in recognition of her three-decade long music career.
2018 Being named as ‘IKON PEMADAM’, an ambassador for Malaysia’s National Association for the Prevention of Drugs (PEMADAM).
2018 Received recognition as ‘THE CELEBRITY ICON’ at The BrandLaureate Grandmaster Brand ICON Leadership Awards 2018 held by Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF).
2018 Received recognition as ‘NONA LEGEND AWARD’ at Nona Superwoman Award 2020 held by Nona Magazine.
2023 Listed in the Malaysia Book of Records for the ‘Most Concert Tickets Sold Out: 10,000 Tickets in 24 Hours’ in connection with her successful two-night sold out concerts Konsert Jilid Akhir: Ella Puteri Kota held on 10 & 11th of June, 2023 at the Malaysia’s most sought after concert venue, Axiata Arena Kuala Lumpur.
2023 Listed in the Singapore Book of Records for the `Most Tickets Sold For A Malaysian Performer in 2 Hours’ in connection with her with her successful two-night sold out concerts Konsert Jilid Akhir: Ella Puteri Kota held on on August 17th & 18th, 2023 at the Star Theatre, Singapore.
BRAND COLLABORATIONS
2022
A Year-Long Collaboration with Malaysia’s Leading Health & Beauty Brand
An exciting year-long partnership with MAMADIL promotes their signature product, Women Love Advance, a wellness essential designed to empower women.
2020
One-Year Collaboration with Malaysia’s Premier Muslimah Fashion Brand
An exclusive one-year partnership with SABELLA to enhance brand visibility and celebrate modest fashion.
Previous Years
1988
1989
1993
