Afgan (singer) explained

Afgan
Birth Name:Afgansyah Reza
Birth Date:27 May 1989
Birth Place:Jakarta, Indonesia
Years Active:2007–present
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Afgansyah Reza (born 27 May 1989), better known by his mononym Afgan, is an Indonesian singer and actor, known for his pop and R&B songs.[1]

Early life and education

Afgansyah Reza was born on 27 May 1989[2] in Jakarta, into a Muslim musical family of Minangkabau origin, although he never had any vocal training.[3] He is the second of four children of Loyd Yahya and Lola Purnama.

He has a Bachelor's in Economics from Monash University.

Career

Reza's career began when he and a few friends decided to record a private album at Wanna B Instant Recording Studio. The producers at the studio offered him a contract when they heard him sing.[4] His first album, Confession No.1, was a mix of jazz, pop, and R&B influences and included tracks, such as "Terima Kasih Cinta", "Klise", "Sadis", and "Tanpa Batas Waktu". A music video for the song "Terima Kasih Cinta" was produced by Thalita Latief and directed by Jose Purnomo.[4]

In 2009, he made his first foray into acting when he appeared in the film with Olivia Jensen[4] and he also sang the title track for the film's soundtrack. In 2010 he appeared in the film and performed on the film's soundtrack.

His second album, The One, was released in January 2010. In 2011, he performed the theme song at the Southeast Asian Games.[5]

He released the album Live to Love in 2013, followed by Sides in 2016 and Dekade in 2018. In November 2018, Afgan celebrated 10 years in the music industry by kicking off his "Dekade" concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia followed by another concert in Jakarta in September 2019. Both concerts were sold out.[6]

In 2020, Afgan, together with Raisa, released the single "Tunjukkan" five years after their first collaboration. Afgan had just released a new single on 6 February 2021, called "I'm Sorry". His first global album Wallflower, containing 10 tracks, was released on 9 April 2021.[7]

In 2022 he moved away from pop music to embrace a more R&B style, with tracks such as "So Wrong But So Right" and "Ku Dengannya Kau Dengan Dia".

On May 26, 2024, Afgan performed with Bebi Romeo at the Java Jazz Festival 2024.[8]

Recognition and awards

See main article: List of awards and nominations received by Afgan. Afgan won the Best Solo Male Vocalist Award for the song at the 2009 Anugerah Musik Indonesia.[4]

He was named one of "10 Indonesian hip hop and R&B artists to check out right now" by HipHopDX in June 2022.[9]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum details
Confession No.1
The One
  • Released: 1 April 2010
  • Label:
  • Formats: CD, digital download
L1ve to Love, Love to L1ve
  • Released: 13 February 2013[11]
  • Label: Trinity Optima Production
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Sides
  • Released: 10 August 2016[12] [13]
  • Label: Trinity Optima Production
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Extended plays

TitleEP details
Bersihkan Dirimu
AIR
  • Released: 26 April 2019
  • Label: Sony Music Indonesia, Trinity Optima Production
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

TitleYearProducer(s)LabelAlbum
"Terima Kasih Cinta"2008Mario KacangConfession No.1
"Sadis"Bebi Romeo
"Pada-Mu Kubersujud"Bersihkan Dirimu
"Bukan Cinta Biasa"2009The One
"Wajahmu Mengalihkan Duniaku"Bemby Noor
"Pencari JalanMu"Fajar PJ Maringka
"Cinta 2 Hati"2010Mario Kacang
"Dia Dia Dia"Bemby Noor
"Bawalah Cintaku"Bebi Romeo
"Dalam Mihrab Cinta"OST Dalam Mihrab Cinta
"Panah Asmara"2011TohpatiThe One
"Kembali"Trinity Optima Production
"Bunga Terakhir"2012Bebi RomeoMega MusicBebi Romeo Mega Hits
"Pesan Cinta"Afgan,
Inu (Numata),
Nino (RAN)
Trinity Optima ProductionL1ve to Love, Love to L1ve
"Jodoh Pasti Bertemu"2013Bemby Noor
"Sabar"Bebi Romeo
"Katakan Tidak"2014Alam Urbach
"Ku Mohon"Bemby Noor
"Untukmu Aku Bertahan"David Kurnia AlbertL1ve to Love, Love to L1ve
"Kamu yang Ku Tunggu"
(featuring Rossa)
Alam UrbachLove, Life & Music
"Knock Me Out"2015Taufik BatisahTrinity Optima ProductionSides
"Percayalah"
(featuring Raisa)
Afgan, Raisa, Adrian Rahmat, KitutTrinity Optima Production,
Juni Records
"Kunci Hati"2016Afgan,
Inu (Numata)
Trinity Optima Production
“Jalan Terus”Alam Urbach
"Kau dengannya Ku dengan Dia"2017Afgan, Rian (D'Masiv)
"X"
(featuring SonaOne)
Afgan, SonaOne, Mhala (Numata)
"Heaven"
(featuring Isyana Sarasvati & Rendy Pandugo)
2018Afgan, Isyana Sarasvati, Rendy PandugoSony Music Entertainment Indonesia, Trinity Optima ProductionDekade
"Be Alright"Asian Games 2018: Energy of Asia
"Shallow Water"2024[14]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNote
2009Bukan Cinta BiasaHimselfGuest star
2010Cinta 2 HatiAlfaLead role
2013RefrainNataLead role

Television

YearTitleRoleNoteNetwork
2008OB (Office Boy)HimselfGuest starRCTI
2008–2012Doa Berbuka PuasaHimselfSCTV
2014Rising Star Indonesia (season 1)HimselfGuest Judge; only appear in Top 5RCTI
2015X Factor IndonesiaHimselfJudge

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Boon . Sim Wie . A symphony of style and sound: Afgan’s journey so far . 2024-05-31 . Tatler Asia . en.
  2. Web site: Afgan Biography & History. AllMusic. Chris. True. 9 January 2018.
  3. Web site: Afgan Bikin Terobosan dalam Keluarga. Afgan's breakthrough in his family. Kompas. 19 January 2010. 1 June 2012. id.
  4. News: Kuswandini. Dian. Afgan Syah Reza: Rich in luck and talent. 1 June 2012. The Jakarta Post. 7 May 2009. subscription.
  5. News: Games end, RI champion. 1 June 2012. The Jakarta Post. 23 November 2011. Niken Prathivi. Irawaty Wardani.
  6. Web site: 2018-09-24 . DEKADE: Afgan To Launch 10th Anniversary Concert In KL This November . 2022-10-17 . Hype Malaysia . en-US.
  7. Web site: Peters . Daniel . 2021-03-26 . Afgan announces his new album, 'Wallflower' . 2022-10-17 . NME . en.
  8. Web site: Bebi Romeo And Afgan Make History At The 2024 Java Jazz Festival Stage . 2024-05-31 . VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan . en.
  9. Web site: Guanzon . Sofia . 10 Indonesian hip hop and R&B artists to check out right now . HipHopDX . 15 June 2022 . 14 August 2023.
  10. Web site: Afgan Siap Rilis Album dan Gelar Konser di 2018. Afgan is ready to release album and hold concerts in 2018. Viva. id. 17 December 2017. 9 January 2018.
  11. Web site: Afgan Luncurkan Album 'L1ve To Love, Love To L1ve'. Afgan releases 'L1ve To Love, Love To L1ve' album. Tempo. id. Ryan Maulana. Dwi Oktaviane. 13 February 2013. 9 January 2018.
  12. Web site: Album Baru Afgan – Sides Siap Rilis Hari Ini. Afgan's new album, 'Sides', is ready to be released today. Tribun News. id. Ninda. Iswara. 10 August 2016. 9 January 2018.
  13. Web site: Afgan Gandeng Yonder Music Rilis Live Session Bertajuk Sides. Afgan collaborates with Yonder Music to release 'Sides' live session. Provoke! Online. id. Debby. Utomo. 23 December 2016. 9 January 2018. 9 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180109121851/http://www.provoke-online.com/index.php/lifestyle/event-agenda/7305-afgan-gandeng-yonder-music-rilis-live-session-bertajuk-sides. dead.
  14. Web site: 2024-02-05 . Indonesian singer Afgan releases reflective single ‘Shallow Water’ – listen . 2024-05-31 . Indonesian singer Afgan releases reflective single ‘Shallow Water’ – listen Bandwagon Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia. . en.