Nominated With Wijaya 80 At AMI Awards, Vanessa Zee: It's An Honor To Be One Category With Senior

Vanessa Zee (Ivan Two Men/VOI)

JAKARTA - Six names must compete for the Best Newcomers category at the 2025 Indonesian Music Awards (AMI). They are Fajar Noor, Faris Adam, Prince Poetiray, Vanessa Zee, Wijaya 80, and Zainul Basyar.

Although the category is intended for those who have just debuted for the past year, in fact there are two names containing old players', namely Wijaya 80 and Zainul Basyar.

Wijaya 80 yang debut dengan single Seharusnya Aku pada Agustus 2024 Meski disebut sebagai unit baru, namun terdirikan personel yang sudah lama berkarier di industri musik nasional. Ardhito Pramono (vokal, keytar) bahkan pertama kali meraih nominasi AMI Awards pertamanya pada tahun 2018.

Meanwhile, Zainul Basyar, who was nominated for the first time for the AMI Awards, is the release event for the Rising Star Indonesia Dangdut in 2022. He even came out as the winner for the newcomer category at the 2023 Indonesian Dangdut Award event.

With the presence of two old players, Vanessa Zee, who debuted through a single 'Don't Understand' last June, after graduating from Indonesian Idol, did not see it as a problem.

The 21-year-old singer does not want to see the names in the same category as competitors. Instead, he sees it as an honor.

"I don't look at all the nominations that fall into the same category as me as competitors. No. But it's an honor for me to be one of the same categories that has become a senior in the music world," Vanessa said when met at Senayan, Central Jakarta some time ago.

Moreover, Vanessa sees the AMI Awards as an award for Indonesian musicians, and not as an event to compete.

"And to be able to get an award, known as the best newcomer along with seniors, it must be an honor for me, and I don't see it as competition," he added.

However, the Batak-blooded singer did not deny hope of being able to bring home the trophy.

"Obviously we hope to win. Because it will definitely be an honor and a big award for me who has just entered the music industry," said Vanessa.

More than just an achievement, he emphasized that his success in being nominated for the AMI Awards was the fulfillment of his childhood ambitions. Even so, he emphasized that winning was not the main goal.

"And this is also my dream since I was little, of course I will be given a big and prestigious award," said Vanessa.

"Wining or not winning doesn't matter. With Vanessa's name in one of the nominations at AMI, I am very grateful and one of the great awards for you," he concluded.