JAKARTA - Benyamin Sueb is a legendary Indonesian artist. In the world map of entertainment in the country, Benyamin is known as a versatile artist. Apart from actors, Benyamin is known as a complete musician.
With a touch of the typical Betawi Gambang Kromong, Benyamin sang a song. That's not all. Benyamin has tried all forms of music genres. The character of the song which is what it is, is witty, and eccentric has a deep impression. Moreover, every song is often filled with moral messages, especially about the face of Jakarta. That is why Benyamin is nicknamed "the culprit."
Music, for Benyamin who was born in Kampung Utan Panjang, Kemayoran, March 5, 1939, is nothing new. The man who is familiarly called Bang Ben lives in a family of artists. That's what made Bang Ben familiar with music since he was a child.
Bang Ben's talent in music was even seen when he formed a musical group whose musical instruments were made of used goods - oil drums, biscuit cans, medicine boxes - with his brothers. Shortly after that Bang Ben joined the Melody Ria music group.
Bang Ben's talent is getting more and more honed. Written by Ludhy Cahyana and Muhlis Suhaeri in the book Benyamin S: Muka Kampung Rezeki Kota (2005), long before making Betawi music as an identity, this versatile artist played with Indonesian jazz specialists, including Jack Lesmana and Bill Saragih.
At that time, Bang Ben performed every day in various places in the capital. Bang Ben even served at the legendary Jakarta hotel which is now gone, Des Indes. We have discussed more details about Des Indes in the article "Romance of Des Indes as the Best Hotel in the Eastern Hemisphere".
Flying hours at that time made Bang Ben more familiar with many western and Dutch pop songs. However, it did not last long. President Soekarno's ban on the song “ngak-ngik-ngok” in 1965 was a turning point for Bang Ben in his music. Bang Ben, who initially rarely brought Indonesian songs, finally turned his mind. He also sang keroncong songs, even though the visitors didn't really like him.
“Ben's search for a form of artistic expression that suits him never ends with a particular musical color. On the one hand, he is very concerned about developments in society. But on the other hand, he also doesn't want to be dragged down by the flow, talking about all kinds of music that are currently in the market, such as pop songs. What's more, Indonesian pop music at that time according to him from day to day had no more footing, "said Wahyuni in the book Kompor Mleduk Benyamin S (2007).
After that Bang Ben repeatedly spurred creativity. Bang Ben then chose Betawi music, gambang Kromong. Not the usual gambang Kromong standard. Bang Ben assimilates it with western musical instruments.
Like a tit for tat, his steps to assimilate Gambang Kromong have made Betawi art go up in class through his song, Nonton Bioskop. The song sung by artist Bing Slamet in 1968 then opened the way for Bang Ben's existence in the Indonesian music scene.
"If there was no Bung Karno prohibition, I might not have become a singer of Betawi songs," said Bang Ben.
All-around musician
Along the way, Bang Ben's image as a Betawi artist has become increasingly famous. Bang Ben didn't seem tempted to sing the song, other than with Betawi style and songs. Betawi cultural observer, Masykur Isnan said, perhaps the rhythm played by Bang Ben was rock music, but the lyrics were still Betawi.
The same thing happened when he delivered a Malay rhythmic song. The style is still Betawi. So creative, Bang Ben is known to be active in incorporating other musical elements - blues, soul, funk, rock, rap, and keroncong - into his version of Gambang Kromong songs, without even losing the identity of Benjamin.
Masykur Isnan added that there was nothing taboo about music assimilation for Bang Ben. All hit. People who hear the song of Benjamin will feel liberated. As a result, supporters of the Betawi language and the Kromong gambang have increased. Betawi culture has become known throughout Indonesia, even the world.
“Bang Ben is a legend. He is also an honest, smart, spontaneous, and genius musician in Indonesia. His musicality is high and capable. This is evidenced by his ability to play many genres. His foresight in seeing the market made his work so easily accepted by the public. Another thing that made it special was that Bang Ben was able to bring the Betawi Gambang Kromong art to class and was liked by the public. Of course the achievement in this field of music is not easy, and only he (Betawi son) is capable, "Masykur Isnan said to VOI, Tuesday, March 9.
The formulation that made Bang Ben's humorous songs quickly received the audience was no less interesting. Bang Ben writing ideas can be obtained from anywhere. From depictions of everyday realities to popular issues that developed in his day. The nuance can be seen from the roughness of the lyrics and the rhythm that is played.
Then, those who listen will feel Bang Ben's songs so honestly convey the reality. Coincidentally, Bang Ben's other musical genres seem to be matched by this distinct Betawi culture.
"By relying on fair points in the songs, Benyamin then tried to leave a little moral message. With his spontaneous style, he tries to flirt with everyday unequal realities. In a betel chalk from Muka Kampung Rezeki Kota, Remy Sylado writes, Bang Ben's songs are a social overview of Jakarta: jago kampung, ondel ondel, melting stove, pickpocket, celebrity, and others, "wrote Nurdin Kalim in his writing in Tempo Magazine entitled Portrait of Benjamin as It Is (2005).
We have reviewed in more detail the moral messages in Benyamin Sueb's songs in the article "Benyamin Sueb's Witty Criticism on Nafsu Pembangunan".
In the aftermath, Benyamin's success began to inspire many other Betawi young generations. They work without limits but are anti-Betawi identity. Some of them followed the accent, yangblak, to Bang Ben's song when they appeared on stage. However, it is difficult to match the popularity and existence of the chattering owner "Engineer."
"Benyamin, who during his life had incubated about 70 record albums, also performed duets with many artists, including Rossy, Rita Zahara, Lilies Suryani, Ida Royani, Inneke Kusumawati, Herina Effendi, Bing Slamet, Eddy Sud, Eus Dadiah, Maryantje Mantauw, and many. again. Anyone will not deny that Benyamin Sueb the Culprit is a true entertainer. Benyamın is not really hot, just like the song he wrote, Si Jampang. " written in the book Musisiku (2008).
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