Afgan (singer)

Afgan
Afgan in 2021
Born
Afgansyah Reza

(1989-05-27) 27 May 1989 (age 35)
Jakarta, Indonesia
Alma materMonash University Malaysia (BE)
Occupations
Years active2007–present
Musical career
Genres
Labels
  • Wanna B Music Production
  • Keci Music Production
  • Trinity Optima Production
  • Hits Records
  • Empire

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

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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][4] He is the second of four children of Loyd Yahya and Lola Purnama.[3]

He has a Bachelor's in Economics from Monash University.[3]

Career

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Afgan's career started when he and a group of friends decided to record a private album at Wanna B Instant Recording Studio. Impressed by his singing, the producers at the studio offered him a contract..[3] 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.[3]

In 2009, he made his first foray into acting when he appeared in the film Bukan Cinta Biasa [id] with Olivia Jensen[3] and he also sang the title track for the film's soundtrack. In 2010 he appeared in the film Cinta 2 Hati [id] and performed on the film's soundtrack.[5]

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".[8]

On May 26, 2024, Afgan performed with Bebi Romeo at the Java Jazz Festival 2024.[9]

Recognition and awards

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Afgan won the Best Solo Male Vocalist Award for the song at the 2009 Anugerah Musik Indonesia.[3]

He was named one of "10 Indonesian hip hop and R&B artists to check out right now" by HipHopDX in June 2022.[8]

Discography

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Afgan performing in 2013

Studio albums

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Title Album details
Confession No.1
The One
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

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Title EP details
Bersihkan Dirimu
AIR
(with Isyana Sarasvati and Rendy Pandugo [id])
  • Released: 26 April 2019
  • Label: Sony Music Indonesia, Trinity Optima Production
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

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

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Note
2009 Bukan Cinta Biasa Himself Guest star
2010 Cinta 2 Hati Alfa Lead role
2013 Refrain Nata Lead role

Television

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Year Title Role Note Network
2008 OB (Office Boy) Himself Guest star RCTI
2008–2012 Doa Berbuka Puasa Himself SCTV
2014 Rising Star Indonesia (season 1) Himself Guest Judge; only appear in Top 5 RCTI
2015 X Factor Indonesia Himself Judge

References

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  1. ^ Boon, Sim Wie. "A symphony of style and sound: Afgan's journey so far". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  2. ^ True, Chris. "Afgan | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Kuswandini, Dian (7 May 2009). "Afgan Syah Reza: Rich in luck and talent". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  4. ^ "Afgan Bikin Terobosan dalam Keluarga" [Afgan's breakthrough in his family] (in Indonesian). Kompas. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  5. ^ a b Niken Prathivi; Irawaty Wardani (23 November 2011). "Games end, RI champion". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  6. ^ "DEKADE: Afgan To Launch 10th Anniversary Concert In KL This November". Hype Malaysia. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  7. ^ Peters, Daniel (26 March 2021). "Afgan announces his new album, 'Wallflower'". NME. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  8. ^ a b Guanzon, Sofia (15 June 2022). "10 Indonesian hip hop and R&B artists to check out right now". HipHopDX. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Bebi Romeo And Afgan Make History At The 2024 Java Jazz Festival Stage". VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Afgan Siap Rilis Album dan Gelar Konser di 2018" [Afgan is ready to release album and hold concerts in 2018]. Viva (in Indonesian). 17 December 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  11. ^ Ryan Maulana; Dwi Oktaviane (13 February 2013). "Afgan Luncurkan Album 'L1ve To Love, Love To L1ve'" [Afgan releases 'L1ve To Love, Love To L1ve' album]. Tempo (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  12. ^ Iswara, Ninda (10 August 2016). "Album Baru Afgan – Sides Siap Rilis Hari Ini" [Afgan's new album, 'Sides', is ready to be released today]. Tribun News (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  13. ^ Utomo, Debby (23 December 2016). "Afgan Gandeng Yonder Music Rilis Live Session Bertajuk Sides" [Afgan collaborates with Yonder Music to release 'Sides' live session]. Provoke! Online (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  14. ^ "Indonesian singer Afgan releases reflective single 'Shallow Water' – listen". Indonesian singer Afgan releases reflective single ‘Shallow Water’ – listen | Bandwagon | Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
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