The flourishing of reggae music in Indonesia is so dynamic. Its outfits are widespread all over the nation. Started from early 1980s and pioneered by bands like ‘Abresso’ from Papua with its pop reggae accent infused with nature exoticism and Anci Larici, UB 2 from Makassar with their high influence from UB 40. By the end of 1980s and early 1990s reggae keeps growing to these days and producing famous names like Imanez, Mas Anies, Toni Q, Steven & Coconuttreez and also Ras Muhamad who’ve been contributing so much to this legacy and passion.

The guest for Kultur this time is one of reggae musicians from the eastern Indonesia, Flores. A gentleman whose real name is Coenradus Scholastika Bean Duli or well known as Conrad Good Vibration. He is one of the most vibrant artists in the scene of Jamaican music in Indonesia since releasing his two albums; “Wake Up and Live” (2014) and “Island Vibes” (2016).

As someone who comes from the eastern parts of Indonesia that are always stereotyped as backward and naïve, he has a strong concern and responsibility toward a betterment through music and culture. He keeps on infusing the grace of the culture through his authentic reggae and dancehall. He was so fluent in sharing how the musical tradition of the eastern Indonesia has a close affinity to reggae and dancehall. He opened our video call conversation and answered: 

“Generally, the music from Flores and eastern part of Indonesia is about parties and dance. Dancehall has some similarities with the music that people commonly embraced and celebrated there, despite it’s still a strange thing for the majority of them. Emotionally, music is so connected to the people,”

Conrad started his musical career when he came to Jakarta. He joined one of the reggae outfits in the country, MATAHARI. After departing from the band, he began to make a solo debut in 2010 under the name of Conrad and The Good Vibration which then became Conrad Good Vibration, a manifestation of his compromise for a personal career. He explained why he chose that name, “it gives a good vibration to many people so that they can become a good person each day.” 

Besides those two albums above, Conrad is noted to have released ‘Tribute to The Land,’ a compilation of traditional songs in VCD format in 2010, with a hit ‘Petotang’ under the name Conrad Floresman. 

When asked about the theme in most of his works, he replied that almost everything is personal. The message mainly talks about positive spirits that need to be shared, togetherness as well as rejoice. And of course, he always lifts up the sketch of socio-cultural issues from the eastern Indonesia like in one of his songs entitled ‘P.A.P.U.A.’ It is a version of Conrad to portray Papua as a woman who must have a right to be respected. He also considers Papua as his second homeland after Flores. To Kultur he explained that Papua is the “Island of Reggae!” 

Again, Conrad highlighted the spirit of reggae towards socio-political issues and that it becomes the basic foundation in this particular song. Then he added:

“It is clear enough that the message in reggae is about humanity, peace, equal rights and how to live a life peacefully with nature,” 

Kultur mentioned Conrad’s stylish appearance as a packet of his performance and he explained vigorously, “It has become a unity, it would never be enough with just singing. In the visual era, the public wants to enjoy their artist on the stage with his attractive fashion.” He also added that it’s not a must for another artist,

“but my principle, in terms of fashion, the artist must look more outstanding than the spectators.”

Not only that, he continued by concluding that reggae is a culture where fashion is one of the variables inside of it. According to him it can be a promising business. He named Ras Muhamad and Steven Coconuttreez as those who have imposed this element. 

The other side of his solo, Conrad keeps on collaborating frequently with other musicians. Among others are Radit Echoman and previously with Yohma Ragga Poli. Conrad said that he has a passion to collaborate with punk outfit in the future for the reason as he said,

“Punk has the same freedom spirit as with reggae and other subgenres of Jamaican sound that they teach people to fight injustice as well as they show them how to survive.”

He also highlighted another collaboration with the sound system culture in Indonesia that really impressed him. Generally, he concluded that in the tradition of sound system, “a singjay is required to freely express himself but in the toughest musical discipline. Sound system delivers a tight and tremendous exercise in music.” 

As one of Jamaican sound scenesters who has already stood for a decade, Conrad added that now reggae and other Jamaican sounds in Indonesia can be equated to other mainstream music. The appreciation from the society and music industry is more balanced. Reggae is not just oriented to its communities but more dynamic, even though the quality standard can be very subjective according to him. Seeing this promising progress, he continued,

“one of my dreams that I really want to fulfil is to carry reggae on tour with Conrad Good Vibration to every city in Indonesia.” 

Before the end of this interview session, Conrad gave a note on how he keeps on learning and exchanging thoughts with other reggae musicians in the country. “With ‘mas’ Tony Q I learned a lot about how to make a good approach in writing lyrics like playing with words repetition. From Ras Muhamad I learned about the deep and wide meaning of a song. While from Steven, I found interactive complaints over things through lyrics just like sharing and discussing things with a best friend.” 

Outside music, Conrad is a family man with two sons. Lately, he was seen singing with one of them. Responding to this, as a father, the man who was born in Larantuka on February 10th, 1981 confessed that he is so full of blessings in reggae. He gave amen to admit that reggae supports him financially. Towards his kids, he also confessed that he wants them to follow his footstep, however it is their right to decide. He would just remind them that “Reggae is what we live, so live it positively.” A good Vibration! Yes, a good vibration that equally though from Conrad.
(author:sam,translation:yedi)