Exclusive, Felika Stephani Relies on Social Media to Create Her Work

JAKARTA - The existence of social media has changed a lot of work in the music industry. Before the emergence of platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube, it was difficult to imagine creating work and being widely known.

The important role of social media can be seen from what happened to Felika Stephani, a young woman who dreamed of becoming widely known as a singer.

Growing up in a quiet town in Magelang, Central Java, Felika, who is currently 23 years old, once went viral on TikTok with her song entitled Jangan Lagi (2022). The song written by Pika Iskandar was inspired by Felika's experience of heartbreak.

"Indeed, when I first started my career, I joined a modeling and public speaking agency. There I started uploading photos of me as a model. At first it was on Instagram, then I just started covering songs for fun in 2017. Finally, during Covid, I happened to be in a relationship with someone and engagement failed, so I finally made the song (Jangan Lagi)," said Felika Stephani when visiting the VOI office in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, some time ago.

“Previously, what was just fun and a hobby has now become serious. Because it turns out people like my work," she continued.

According to Felika, social media is important because many people use it. Social media contains many things, from knowledge to things that are considered unimportant.

“From me personally, social media is important, not just for singers. Maybe there is no one out there who doesn't use social media, surely everyone does. Because all knowledge, even interesting and uninteresting things, is all there. We can look for everything on social media," said Felika.

The name Felika may still be unfamiliar in the music industry. We haven't seen her name on the music festival line-up in Jakarta. However, not on social media, some of the works she presented through interesting content managed to attract the attention of millions of netizens.

Felika also talked about how her experience at a gig was not as good as she imagined. She must try hard to introduce herself to audiences who don't know her well. One thing is certain, she is here to entertain the audience. With an attractive and entertaining appearance, she is sure that she will be increasingly known.

“Surely (many people don't know). If I'm performing, there will definitely be a lot of people, there will definitely be talk like that. But I thought it was just to entertain them, I didn't think about whether people knew me or not. The important thing is that they are happy. It's called a stage to entertain," said Felika.

One of the special treatments that is usually applied on stage, Felika always tries to interact with the audience. The reason is, she also admits that she enjoys getting to know lots of people.

"On stages I perform several songs, of course, usually eight songs. Maybe in the middle I'll do something like a challenge. For example, they come forward and we'll chat," she said.

Felika does not deny that she hopes to join a music label. However, currently making music via social media is the best way she can do.

"If that's the case (to join a music label) I'll just leave it to God, the important thing is that I just do it happily. The important thing is to do it happily, but on the other hand there is also hope, because without hope you won't be able to be enthusiastic about the future," she said.

Ignore Netizens' Negative Comments

One of the challenges of creating work via social media is that it is often underestimated. Felika had to face a lot of ridicule from netizens.

"To be honest, people around me probably hate me, but I just don't think I should think about it. People think, some people like it and some don't, that's normal. I also don't like people, but the important thing is not to take it personally," said Felika.

“Maybe someone will say how come you can laugh in front of the camera but not behind it. Sometimes I'm tired too, getting to the point of being tired is normal. I don't have support from those around me, that's okay, the important thing is that I can be strong on my own feet," she continued.

Felika told how netizens' critics that don't know the context sometimes make things worse. She once experienced a position that was not good enough because her relationship with her ex had to end, and netizens' comments made things worse.

“Life is definitely not smooth, there are definitely phases where a person can be happy, sad, rise and fall. There I also experienced drops and also sad things. Maybe it's not good. But there I also got a lot of experience," she said.

Through what she has experienced, Felika hopes to be able to inspire many people. Even though the ridicule comes continuously, there is no reason not to work. For her, consistency is something absolute.

“Maybe I was wrong to think about things like that, but now I want to inspire people. When we fall, we fall, maybe it's only temporary, but we still have a long way to go," she said.

“I really want to remain consistent with everything I have pursued. Because without consistency and responsibility for everyone, it won't run smoothly."

Felika also hopes that other people who experience the same thing, who are struggling to create work via social media, will continue without worrying about netizens' negative comments.

“That's your right (to not like it). Sometimes there may be people around you who support it and some who don't. That's okay, your right too. But here I want to say that if you experience this, it's okay, the important thing is to be patient, the important thing is to have a vision and mission," said Felika Stephani.

"Lastly, I say don't let it make you drop. In the future, just stay enthusiastic, don't worry about what people say. Show the people who hate you that you can do it," she concluded.