Knowing Interpolation, The Techniques Used By Whisnu Santika In Yalla Habibi's Song

Whisnu Santika (doc. Ist)

JAKARTA - The creation of music has many techniques, one of which is interpolation, where songwriters will combine the melody or lyrics of existing songs into new compositions.

The application of interpolation is commonplace for songwriters. Big names such as The Beatles to Taylor Swift have also released songs that use this technique.

But unfortunately, this technique is not really understood by listeners. Not even a few who equate interpolation with plagiarism. This misunderstanding occurred in Whisnu Santika's latest single entitled Yalla Habibi.

The assumption is that the plagiarism had time to finish Whisnu because the song was considered similar to Arkadeyan's Iag Bari (Yababa), Ciocxis Fanfare, and Grossomodoo.

However, Whisnu emphasized that the song was the result of creative exploration based on interpolation and not plagiarism. He and the management team have communicated directly and taken care of the legality of the song's copyright to Fanfare Ciocturlia through Piranha Records 'publicist of the band.

"I did adopt elements from Iag Bari (Yababa), but not to plagiarize. Instead, I want to celebrate world music with a touch of Indobounce which is my identity," Whisnu said in his statement, Tuesday, October 14.

After all, 'Yalla Habibi' is not Whisnu Santika's first work using interpolation. He once performed similar techniques for Sahara, Mambo Jambo, Tequilla, to Yummy.

Interpolation is also not the same as sampling techniques, which buy and use original recording pieces from other songs. Interpolation actually repeats fragments of melodies and lyrics with new arrangements and is re-recorded.

"Interpolation is different from sampling. If sampling uses the original recording ( master use in the label), the interpolation recreates its work with the desired new version after obtaining a license from the creator. This is not just a stamp, but a form of legal creativity," said music curator Dimas Ario.

Furthermore, Dimas emphasized that interpolation is not only another way of making songs, but also a creative strategy to introduce old works to new listeners.

"With interpolation, musicians can give new lives to previous works, without losing respect for their creators," he added.

In line with that, music observer and founder of Wara Musika, Dzulfikri Putra Malawi, highlighted that this is also part of business management for labels or publicizers.

"If the sample is used from the master record, then take care of the license to the label. Because there is a fee for licensing related rights and creator rights," said Dzulfikri. But if the interpolation of this song is related to the creator directly via the publisher or the management of the songwriter concerned.

This confirms that music is fluid and inspires each other. The main challenge is how songwriters, if they deliberately interpolate songs, must be done legally. That way, the public can understand the creative process and judge it wisely.