Ari Lasso Reveals The Payments Obtained From Dewa's First Album 19

Ari Lasso (Instagram @ari_laso)

JAKARTA - The initial four personnel of Dewa 19, namely Ahmad Dhani, Ari Lasso, Andra Ramadhan and Wawan Juniarso, remember the moment when the album 19 was released as their first album.

In a video uploaded to the YouTube channel VIDEO LEGEND, the four initial personnel of Dewa 19 chatted with their first recording producer and friend at SMAN 2 Surabaya, Harun.

In the video, Harun asks how much money he gets from selling album 19.

Although album sales reached 150 thousand copies, a very large number for the new band produced by small labels, Dewa 19 at that time was still paid for with a flat system.

"No, it's not important (the album sale), because Dewa 19 is paid flat," said Ahmad Dhani.

Ari Lasso, who remembers the amount of payment received at that time, said that the personnel received around 40 percent of the agreed contract value.

"I remember, the amount that Harun distributed to us per person. I remember, Rp1,750 thousand," said Ari Lasso.

"I bought a mattress for my mother," continued Ari.

"I remember buying a laserdisc," said Andra Ramadhan.

Ari Lasso also recalled his image when Dewa 19's first album was released. At that time, he was not known as an artist in the capital city.

"Yes, it is popular among band children, not as an artist," said Ari Lasso.

"If we perform, there are many people asking for signatures. But if you go on the streets, no one knows, people don't have information yet," he concluded.