Exclusive! Didi Mahardika Loyally Accompanying Cita Rahayu Makes Music According to Her Identity

JAKARTA - At the end of 2022, VOI had a conversation with Cita Citata who decided to change her name to Cita Rahayu. The decisions that were made occurred along with the changes in life that Cita wanted to do, including making music.

Besides Cita Rahayu, Didi Mahardika's name is often mentioned. Their closeness since a few years ago has drawn great attention, not infrequently even towards negative news. However, as if against the world together, they seem relaxed in their relationship.

Recently, Didi and Cita compactly uploaded their wedding moments in 2022. They also explained Cita's change of name to Cita Rahayu and the music projects they would work on together.

“Indeed, Cita (Rahayu) used to be stuck in dangdut, in my opinion. Because she doesn't like dangdut either," said Didi Mahardika when asked directly.

"From the way she sings in dangdut, I don't think it's proper, so she's showing her true identity. For me, I help make the process of Cita's song, I am accompanying her, "Didi said again.

Maybe many are asking who Didi Mahardika really was, that he could work on Cita Rahayu's music. Didi Mahardika himself has been fond of music since the 90s. His name was even included in one of the best DJs according to local media in 2009.

Didi, who is more familiar with electro music, finds it easy to explore other music. He also supports his wife's musical desires without wanting to restrain her even though he admits that dangdut is not Cita's music.

“The desire to leave Dangdut doesn't mean that she already hates it or anything like that. No. Only she chose this genre because it is more comfortable. For me, I just follow what she dream of. I just follow it," said Didi Mahardika.

Speaking of genre, Didi Mahardika is not grandiose in producing the pop genre for Cita Rahayu. Now the two of them are also focusing on developing a music studio called 45 Movement.

"God willing, maybe this year we will be able to release a song with a contemporary pop theme. The right choice is to bring Cita from a production point of view. The ideals are more suitable for now, I think it's okay to be expelled this year in the midst of politics," said Didi.

Didi, who is currently preoccupied with politics, feels that his life is changing for the better. He, who was once married, feels that there are many things that are developing for the better and all of this cannot be separated from Cita Rahayu's presence in his life.

"Because both are connecting. Music can work, and with the previous one, I can't connect to politics. There may be a feeling of being constrained by the previous partner. Just relaxing. Now it's more like what it is, maybe in the past it was so protective," said Didi explaining the changes in his life.

Didi Mahardika's support for Cita Rahayu

Cita Rahayu, who is beside Didi Mahardika, said that her husband was a figure who always supported her. Because they have been friends for a long time, they already know each other, including music.

“There was never any ordering or asking or coercing. I want to be myself, he helps me to be me. Mostly give advice then the solution, it turns out to be a good idea on its own. For the name, it was my own will and he said Rahayu was good, it would be nice to start something with my own identity," said Cita Citata.

The creation of 45 Movement music studio was also created not only to meet musical needs but so that musicians could own the copyright of their songs.

"It's not a label so many musicians come and the knowledge I get is from here. So if I'm surrounded by good people and immersed in music, I can deepen my experience and want to do something," said Cita.

Together with Didi Mahardika, Cita Rahayu feels that she has learned a lot about other points of view. The figure of Didi who is considered very knowledgeable makes Cita have many discussions with her husband in discussing many things.

"While diving, drinking water. Having a husband, a teacher, a mentor in the household, and music, it's like a best friend as it is, so there's nothing to hide, it's not made up. We live around the conversation, actually, it's light, and the concept is from the music we make," said Cita.

“Initially, I might have been called anti-politic because there was a lot of input and news on TV or online, I thought that most of politics had a lot of lies. When I met Mas Didi, I felt there were differences, political perspectives, idealism, in my opinion, as a companion, I am obliged to accompany for the sake of social justice for the community," she said.

Cita Rahayu also brought about a change in the character of Didi Mahardika, who had so far chosen to remain silent in the midst of negative news about him.

"From the wife's side, I feel sad because of the bad news about my husband, because my husband is the person who (does) not want to be confronted, so when there is bad news, he just keeps quiet," said Cita.

“I always say evil still wins if we don't act. I myself can not force the will. We want to control people so they think of us positively, we can't, but like it or not, as a public figure we have to tell people if we are married," he said.

Currently, both of them are enjoying their marriage which is still as old as corn. On the other hand, they are also developing a music studio which will also become the place where the new Cita Rahayu genre begins,

“The 45 movement is a place where musicians can prosper. That is our dream," said Cita Rahayu.