Bingkai Karya – The realities of life sometimes take us further away from ourselves, making us forget the small joys that once filled our hearts. However, that passion never truly disappears. Sometimes, we just need to pause for a moment, step away from our routines, and check in with ourselves. Through her latest single, “Apa Kabar”, singer-songwriter Radhini explores this theme, encouraging us to take a break from the busyness of life and have a conversation with ourselves.
“Apa Kabar” was create from Radhini’s personal struggles over the past few years. Daily routines, family responsibilities, and demanding work gradually distanced her from herself.
“In recent years, I felt like something was missing—like a piece of my life’s puzzle had disappeared. It turned out to be music. That missing piece was music. When I returned to it, I felt the sparks in my life reignite,” Radhini shared.
“Apa Kabar” marks Radhini’s return to the music industry, following her last release, Lelah, in 2018. She initially wrote the song in 2020, but it wasn’t fully completed until 2024. The production was led by the S/EEK team, consisting of Marco Steffiano, Kitut Sinjingo, Josh Kunze, and Jessilardus Mates, with Barsena serving as vocal director. More than just a comeback, “Apa Kabar” represents Radhini’s musical exploration and transformation, paving the way for her upcoming mini-album set to release this year.
“Apa Kabar” showcases Radhini’s sensitivity to the personal struggles of adulthood. The song captures these emotions and presents them in a lighthearted pop tune without sounding preachy. Her music serves as a companion for listeners navigating their daily lives.
“In the chorus, I wrote, ‘Tak sempatkah kau tanya hati nurani, apa kabar hari ini, lelahkah dirimu merindu, menunggu.’What I wanted to say is that sometimes, all we need to do is ask ourselves, ‘How are you?’—but we often forget. I truly believe everyone has gone through a phase where they forget to check in with themselves,” Radhini explained.
Musically, this 3-minute-and-11-second track delivers an R&B-infused pop sound with deep soul elements. S/EEK, known as one of Indonesia’s top production teams, masterfully crafted a mid-tempo groove centered around bass, rhythm, and Radhini’s emotional vocals, creating a laid-back anthem.
An interesting fact about the song’s production is that Radhini was battling typhoid just two days before the recording session. However, on the day of the vocal recording, her passion for music gave her an unexpected boost of energy. She suddenly felt better and was able to complete the session successfully.
“It was like I miraculously recovered just in time for the recording. But once everything was done, I started feeling sick again. It was as if my excitement for music acted as medicine,” Radhini laughed.
When it comes to expectations, Radhini sees this musical journey as a genuine expression of her emotions rather than a pursuit of numbers or popularity. More than anything, she hopes her music resonates with listeners, helping them navigate their own life experiences.
Radhini began her solo music career with the release of “Kebebasan” in 2014. Prior to that, she was widely recognized as a backing vocalist for some of Indonesia’s biggest acts, including Maliq & D’Essentials, RAN, and Sandhy Sondoro. In 2017, she released her debut full-length album, Awal, collaborating with notable musicians such as Rishanda Singgih, Ifa Fachir, Jevin Julian, Abenk Alter, and Yovie Widianto.
In 2018, Radhini released two singles—FLY, a collaboration with rapper Ramengvrl, and “Lelah”, produced by Marco Steffiano.
Beyond music, Radhini’s talents and creative personality, as well as her passion for beauty, fashion, and lifestyle, have led her to explore various roles in the creative and media industries. She has worked as a radio broadcaster and, over the past five years, has successfully built a career as a podcaster for RAPOT.
“I have no grand ambitions with this comeback after six years. I simply want to release my music again, to be Radhini the singer-songwriter once more. This is my way of finding myself again, and I hope it can also help others,” she expressed.
“Apa Kabar” will be available on all digital streaming platforms starting January 24, 2025. A lyric video will also be released on Radhini Aprilya’s YouTube channel.
