Afgan Takes Control
Indonesian rising act Afgan always keeps himself grounded. Looking at fame and fortune as mere parts of a ‘job,’ the singer keeps his focus on becoming a better friend to himself, his loved ones, and his fans through music
The heart behind the star
There are people that you just want to befriend the moment you meet them for the first time. Perhaps it’s how they gaze at you as they listen to you speak. Or, it’s how they reply to your thoughts, reflecting on every word they want to say. Maybe it’s that sweet smile or sheepish chuckle that breaks the ice, making your first conversation with them feel like a familiar catchup with a good friend.
Indonesian singer and songwriter Afgansyah Reza, more commonly known as Afgan, is one such person. In our video interview, he responded to our questions earnestly, speaking with the grace of a professional, but with the warmth of a confidante. It seemed that Afgan enjoyed the photoshoot in Jakarta so much that he invited the VMAN Southeast Asia team to go for a night out after the shoot concluded. It’s not the most unusual thing to happen, but given the musician’s busy schedule and stature—he’s Indonesia’s pop and R&B royalty, with 5.1 million followers on Instagram alone and 17 years’ experience in the business—it was cool of him to extend an invitation.
“I can say that I’m a good person, though I really can’t say many good things about myself [in this interview] because that would be weird,” he laughs when asked to describe himself. He introspects further: “I’m a music lover. I’m passionate about mental health, and I try to heal people through music and art. I’m a family guy, and I can say that I’m a good friend.”
His introspection summarizes his creative process and how he keeps his well-being in check. “In this business, I’ve learned to take breaks in between and check what is ‘real,’ because sometimes you get lost in what’s ‘real’ and what’s not,” the musician shares. “The glamorous life and performing in front of thousands of people are part of my job. My ‘reality’ is that I’m my parent’s son. I’m a best friend to others.”
Creating music
Afgan allows vulnerability to be an empowering force in his music. “I talk about things that people can relate to, like owning and acknowledging insecurities, or facing fear and loneliness. I tackle these because my goal is for my fans to feel that they’re not alone. That they have a friend.”
He has reached out to his fans through several styles of music. He’s done ballads, Indonesian pop and R&B, and most recently, English pop and R&B. He is spontaneous with music: on certain days, he’ll go for an 80s retro sound; on other days he’ll go rock or jazz. But one thing remains constant: honesty. “My music depends on my mood, but I think the most important thing is the honesty in the studio. After that, you create the songs. Then, you build the worlds and visuals,” he shares. “That whole process is interesting for me, because after creating the universe [around these songs,] you then create the shows.”
His latest English mini-album, Sonder, is a good example of this process. Its name describes the feeling of realizing that the people around us are leading lives that are as vivid and complex as one’s own. As such, Sonder delves into deeply personal matters, like confronting heartbreak, trauma, or insecurity. Afgan considers it one of his most mature works to date.
That said, the album has its upbeat moments. Escape is a fun, summery song that captures the vibe of spending blissful moments with friends in paradise, away from the stresses of daily life. Afgan shot the music video in Bali, and he invited Korean-American rapper Jessi to add some flavor to the track. In the same album, Afgan also collaborated with Vietnamese-American independent artist thuy for Criminal (Over You).
“It feels good to be part of the Asian movement, and I’m happy to see and be part of that in my own way,” he notes. Afgan has also previously collaborated with global multi-hyphenate artist Jackson Wang for the song M.I.A. “I’m just happy I get to collaborate with artists like thuy, Jessi, and Jackson. I feel like they’re all superstars, and for them to be in the same song with me is an honor.”
“These collaborations started with friendship—meeting them backstage, staying in touch, and building that trust, until we get to work together.” But as a Southeast Asian man, he adds a little bit of love for his homeland and his fellow SEA musicians. “When I listen to Southeast Asian artists, I feel a sense of pride because we come from the same region. So, I always give my support to them.”
Read the full cover story in the pages of VMAN SEA 01: now available for purchase!
Photography BJ Pascual
Creative direction Vince Uy
Fashion Rex Atienza
Grooming Bhiemo Shaliem
Production design Brynna Eclesia Christiandy and Tiffany Djohan
Art direction Mike Miguel
Fashion associate Corven Uy
Photography assistant Richard Detita
Special thanks Nurani Amalia, Mark Bonifacio, and Cat Lazarra (Empire)
