Owwie combined multiple music genres in her debut single titled ‘Dhemit.’ Owwie’s decision to blend several music genres was not merely to add excitement, but also as a form of freedom of expression as a musician.
“I incorporated elements of hip-hop, K-pop, reggae, and, since I’m from Sidoarjo, East Java, I didn’t want to eliminate my cultural identity by including the originality of Indonesian music, which is Dangdut in this song,” said Owwie. “I believe we can be cool with modernization, but let’s not forget our cultural identity,” she added.
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Now, why did Owwie choose ‘Dhemit,’ which means ‘Ghost’ in the Indonesian language, as his debut song? Surely, she had thought about this too. The word ‘Dhemit’ is taken from a Javanese proverb, ‘Dhemit ora ndulit, Setan ora doyan,’ which translates to ‘The devil doesn’t disturb, the devil doesn’t crave.’ It can also be interpreted that if someone who possesses wealth cannot control themselves, they will be more inclined and potentially indulge in sin.
“What I wrote is actually an honest reflection of the situation I am facing as an immigrant in the capital city. There are many messages I embedded in the lyrics, with the hope that those messages will serve as reminders for me and many others that everyone has the right to pursue their dreams and succeed, even if they come from a rural area,” she shared. In the making of this single, Owwie also collaborated with Daniel Ardi Kridaningtyas as the song’s writer, Boni Paputungan, also known as Astagah Bonie, as the producer, songwriter, and composer, and DJ Slide in the mixing and mastering process.
With the release of the single ‘Dhemit,’ Owwie also hopes that Indonesian music enthusiasts won’t forget their traditional culture. She believes it’s alright to follow modern trends, but never forget one’s own culture. “My hope is that this song can inspire everyone to remain true to themselves and never forget where they come from,” Owwie concluded. Let’s welcome the newcomer in the Indonesian music industry, Owwie, with his captivating debut single ‘Dhemit,’ which is already available on the country’s radios and all digital streaming platforms.
