Unloading The Dark Side Of The Indonesian Music Industry, Anji Manji Drags Agnez Mo's Name To Lyodra

Anji Manji (Instagram @duniamanji)

JAKARTA - Agnez Mo is now a public conversation. This is because Agnez has to pay royalties for the song "Bilang Saja" which was performed at several of her concerts. As a songwriter, Ari Bias did this because Agnez had no good faith in giving royalties.

In the midst of Agnez's case, Anji Manji spoke up. Not only Agnez, he also dragged Lyodra, Fatin and Happy Asmara singers.

Through an upload he shared on his personal Instagram account, Anji expressed his concern that he had been saving on the dark side of the Indonesian music industry.

He highlighted the problems that have been going on for years, especially in the relationship between singers and songwriters, which he said were often ignored and did not get serious attention from Indonesian music industry players.

"It's been a few years since I wanted to reveal this story. But it feels like it's the right time now. This is no longer a matter of the Ari Bias and Agnez Mo cases, but even further," Anji wrote in an Instagram account upload @duniamanji, quoted by VOI on Saturday, February 8.

According to Anji, the root of this problem stems from an assumption that slowly develops into a habit in the music industry.

Many think that a singer does not need to ask permission from songwriters before performing their songs. This assumption, which continues to be left without any clear education or policy changes, has finally become an inherent and difficult habit to change.

According to him, this habit also creates a domino effect that has a broad impact on the music ecosystem in Indonesia, especially in terms of awards for copyright and songwriter royalties.

To clarify his concerns, the singer of the song Dia shared a screenshot containing his conversation with Denny Chasmala, a musician and songwriter who has given birth to many hits. One of the songs is entitled "Hopeless You Don't Separate", which Lyodra recently performed in an event.

In the conversation, Denny conveyed his mixed feelings to Anji. On the one hand, he felt proud because the song was still appreciated and sung by a generation of talented young singers like Lyodra. But on the other hand, he also felt sad and disappointed because Lyodra herself did not seem to know herself as the songwriter.

"I'm happy to see Lyodra and the band is really good. But there is a question, does Lyodra know me or not? But it's okay not to know, it's normal for people to go back to stage," Denny wrote to Anji in the conversation.

He then added that what was even sad was the uncertainty over the royalty rights he should have received as a songwriter.

"Those who are sad are the royalties of performing rights, what do I get? Hahaha, fate. Maybe the song is the sustenance of the singers," he continued in a tone that reflected the handover.

In his upload, Anji emphasized that in this case, he did not blame Lyodra at all. According to him, the main mistake lies in habits that have lasted for years and have never been systematically corrected.

This is not an individual error, but a system that has been formed in the Indonesian music industry and continues without any significant changes.

In addition to the Denny Chasmala case, Anji also highlighted the similar problems experienced by Freddy, the songwriter of "He". The song was popularized by Anji himself before finally being sung by Fatin Shidqia.

However, according to Freddy, until now he has never interacted, spoken, or met Fatin in person, even though the singer has performed her songs on various occasions.

It didn't stop there, Anji also mentioned the songwriter "Rungkad". Vicky Prasetyo, who had experienced similar problems related to permission and copyright with dangdut singer Happy Asmara.

From the various conversations and cases he expressed, Anji concluded that currently there is an urgent need to change old habits that harm songwriters.

According to him, singers should start asking for permission officially to songwriters before presenting their works, as a form of appreciation for the copyright and business that has been carried out by music composers.

"It's definitely a bit difficult to accept when old HABITs have to be broken down," Anji emphasized in his upload.

At the end of her statement, the ex-husband of Wina Natalia apologized to those who might feel offended or uncomfortable with her upload.

"I just want the music ecosystem in Indonesia to be better and bring even goodness to all the perpetrators." he concluded.