Jakarta, IO – Dhani Ahmad Prasetyo, more familiarly known as “Ahmad Dhani”, is a founder of Indonesian legendary band Dewa 19. His works are known to all lovers of Indonesian music, since the 1990’s. He started to showcase his musical talents to the world in 1986, when he recruited classmates Andra Junaidi, Erwin Prasetya, and Wawan Juniarso as members of his band when they were still students at the National Middle School 6 in Surabaya.
After having started his musical career as a rocker, Dhani briefly dipped into jazz and renamed his band “Downbeat”. With the band, he won several competitions, including the East Java Teen Jazz Festival in 1990, with Dhani himself winning the “Best Keyboardist” title at the time. However, he returned to his rock roots under Dewa 19 by recruiting Ari Lasso as their vocalist in the same year.
Dewa 19 moved to Jakarta in 1991, in search for a record label, finally signing a contract with Team Records after multiple rejections. The band went on to create hits like “Kangen” (“Missing You”) and “Kita Tidak Sedang Bercinta Lagi” (“We’re Not Loving Each Other Anymore”). They also won the Best New Band/ Best-Selling Album awards in 1993.
Dewa 19’s ride across the ages is far from being smooth. For example, they had to change personnel several times, such as when Elfonda “Once” Mekel replaced Ari Lasso as the band’s vocalist in 1999. Yet they survived, and their music remains a proud part of Indonesia’s modern music history.
Dhani is far from being complacent with Dewa 19’s success. He continues to develop his creativity by expanding from musician to musical producer. Eventually, he created his own label, Republik Cinta Management (“RCM”), to manage the bands he created – Mahadewa, Mahadewi, The Rock, T.R.I.A.D, The Virgin, and The Lucky Laki, the heritage band comprising of his three talented sons.