Exclusive Rijja Abbas Rises Again After Crumbling Into Dust Grains

Rijja Abbas (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga)

JAKARTA - In 2011, the song Butiran Debu, sung by Rumor Band, became a popular song and was sung throughout the country. Unfortunately, that success was not followed by the success of the band. Vocalist Rijja Abbas's feud with his producer was brought to the realm of law by lawyer Farhat Abbas.

Rijja actually just wants his rights to be fulfilled. Want to get part of the sweat. However, it turns out that legal issues have hampered his steps. In fact, his enmity with Farhat Abbas had made him sink.

For a long time, no news was heard, Rijja admitted that he was desperate. "So far, we have survived in the midst of a pandemic, with corona everywhere, to make a living. It's really minimal. Got out of the entertainment world. Anyway, looking for a way to survive until now," said Rijja during an exclusive chat with VOI Editor, Friday, March 5, in the Tebet area, South Jakarta.

Rijja, who now chooses to go solo, admits that he is tired when he is reminded of his feud with lawyer Farhat Abbas. Moreover, until now the legal case has yet to come to a close.

"Now the ending of the case for me is fine, it's not sustainable yet. I had a chance to say when I saw the photo of the lawyer. Thank you. Thanks to him, I was known by people, and my job was singing everywhere. I reached the regions," he said.

Rijja wanted to move on from the case. Close old wounds and focus back on his music career as a solo. "Already tired of fighting, I am even grateful. There are two possibilities for how this case will end, the first is just like this, the second is a reconciliation. That's all," he said.

When asked to give a message to Farhat Abbas, Rijja admitted that he was blank. His mind immediately found it hard to focus. "Always be healthy, and hopefully you can get a fortune. When discussing lawyers, I blank sometimes. Stay healthy, hopefully, there will be a lot of jobs," he said.

Not wanting to continue to be immersed in problems, Rijja Abbas has released a new song entitled 'Jodoh yang Kutunggu' in December 2020. This song has over one million views on YouTube.

It seems that many people miss the golden voice of this singer from Makassar. Getting up and standing, Rijja admitted that he was ready to return to wrestle with the world of music.

"Here is my passion, a hobby that can produce. I am driven by the spirit of my parents, where people can be successful if they are consistent with what they want to achieve. I return to music. Hopefully, I will consistently produce works," he hoped.

Not to be grandiose, when releasing a new song, Rijja wanted to break the "One Hit Wonder" stigma attached to him. He got this nickname because after the song Butiran Debu made his name known, Rijja seemed to be lost in the earth. There are no new works that remind him of this sweet voice.

"I don't want to be known only as a one-hit-wonder, to be famous with only one work in 2011. Now I think about how to survive, work slowly so that I can continue to produce works," he said.

When he decided to return to his career in music, Rijja Abbas did not want to be half-hearted. Together with the team, Rijja looked for loopholes to raise his name again. One of them is with 'social climbing' along with Dimas 'Ahmad' Ramadhan who is currently popular as Raffi Ahmad's twin.

Rijja took Dimas as the video clip model. He realized that a bridge was needed so that his work could be enjoyed by all groups. Especially young people today.

"Initially we were told that Dimas Ahmad might be the model for the video clip. But when he wanted to shoot, he went on vacation to Sumba with Raffi Ahmad. We didn't think so," he said.

However, like the song Jodoh yang Kutunggu, Dimas is indeed matched with Rijja. "On H-1 he told me that he wanted to come. Frankly, we weren't so sure. If there was no plan B, Rijja would be the star of the clip. I didn't know when he was going to shoot, at 8 a.m. he'd come," said the father of one child.

Considered as "social-climbing" to Dimas, who was currently popular, Rijja did not mind. "If you say the social-climbing, it is really the social-climbing, just the social-climbing for something good. Could be in one video clip with Dimas is something good. He said this is his first job to become a video clip star. After with Rijja, there are several artists who use him, Dimas is the first. It gives me encouragement," he said.

Admittedly, Dimas's presence has indeed become a magnet for his new song. The proof is, on the YouTube channel, the song has been commented on by Dimas fans. As a result, it can get more than one million views. It is different from other Rijja songs which were not popular.

"Actually, I also released a single after Butiran Debu, but it's not my luck yet. Until yesterday's song was heard by many people again. Hopefully, we can consistently make songs, release singles, listen to the public," he hoped.

Not wanting to fall asleep again, Rijja admitted that he was preparing a new song which was a sequel to the Jodoh yang Kutunggu. "After Jodoh yang Kutunggu, two months after release, there is already one million views. God willing, there will be a sequel, whether Dimas will be engaged or taaruf. If possible, Dimas will be the clip model, Alhamdulillah, if not, it is the story that should be sustainable. Hopefully, the song can be a prayer for those who are waiting for a soulmate," he explained.

Like making a promise to yourself, Rijja Abbas is now more mature. Slowly but surely arranging his career dreams in the music world.

"If every musician dreams of having an album, the bonus is that many people listen to it, generate income, the most important thing is to be able to relate to people who listen to the song," he hoped.

"With the current digital era, it might have a very strong impact on leading us to digital. Pandemic also makes sales only a sustainable digital platform, unable to sing in front of many people. So rely on digital, release singles. If an album comes out right now it's a bit difficult. Maybe after a few singles come out, they will be combined into the album," he said.

Realizing that the digital world allows everyone to compose songs in a short time, Rijja faces new challenges. "Every day, new songs appear. So his dream is not to be grandiose, to be able to create works that many people hear. That's all," he said.

One of the new things that keep him growing is trying to become a coach for new singers. He learned from experience recording songs.

"Actually, it's really exciting, because before Rijja jumped behind the scenes I was directed with big artists. I learned a lot from them. Alhamdulillah, I was also trusted to direct the vocals of new singers. I'm glad this is a new challenge for Rijja," he explained.

Then what challenges does Rijja dream of in the future? "I want to sing with Ms. Rossa because the character has a strong voice. Hopefully, I can duet with Ms. Rossa," he hoped.

How sure is Rijja Abbas able to achieve his dreams? As sure as he can survive with his family. Support from parents, wife, and children is a great injection of motivation for him.

"Parents are life motivation. Rijja wants to make his parents, wife, and children to be happy," he said.

Getting married to Rahmi Eka in January 2020 was a big decision that changed his life. "It's really changed. Now from waking up, I immediately think, what am I doing today. How can I get a fortune for my wife and children? The most important thing is that my wife and children need to be fulfilled. Big prayer, I can survive in the world of music. Please pray and support for my future," concluded Rijja Abbas.

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