In celebration of Kultur 2nd anniversary as well as Indonesia 77th Independence day we  compiled a list of reggae songs from the 1980s. Those songs will give a glimpse of the music’s appearance in each decade. 

Jamaican popular music of ska, rocksteady and reggae emerged in 1960s urban Jamaica and it took about ten years to reach Indonesia. Two renowned group bands in the 1970s like Koes Ploes and Black Brothers had already infused this Jamaican flavor into their music composition. These two groups were well known to have experimented with wider musical genres like rock n roll, rock, disco, ‘keroncong,’ Malay pop, folks and even ska and reggae.      

Yon Koeswoyo’s rhythm guitar brought forth ska in Koes Plus songs like ‘dheg dheg plas’ (1969) and ‘O Kasihan’ (1976). Whereas Black Brothers had a reggae nuance in their 1977 song hit ‘Hilang.’ After living abroad in 1979 they produced more reggae songs. ‘Sajojo’ is their most well-known reggae song in Indonesia. Music observers in South Pacific even credited Black Brothers, a band from Papua, Indonesia as the forerunner of reggae music in Melanesian countries like PNG, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.   

Other than those two bands mentioned above, there is also Masanies Saichu, a reggae veteran. In an interview with Kultur he claimed to have played reggae in the 1970s even though it hadn’t become his main choice. There hadn’t been any single musician or band that consistently played reggae in those days.

By the 1980s some bands like Abresso, Black Company, Asian Roots, and Roots Rock Reggae had regularly played reggae in clubs and cafes around Blok M, Jakarta. However, those bands were still doing covers mostly. But actually Jimmy Ignacio, the lead vocalist of Black Company and Asian Roots, had a single entitled ‘Salsa I Sabor.’ He later collaborated with Fariz RM. 

The first ever reggae song in the country was ‘Dansa Reggae’ by Melky Goeslaw in 1983. The song was later covered by Nola Tilaar, a female pop singer, and successfully became a hit.

In 1985 Arie Wibowo and his band, Bill & Brod made another reggae hit ‘Madu Racun.’ It is still a legendary song in Indonesia. There was also Gombloh, an eccentric singer with songs like ‘Kugadaikan Cintaku’ and ‘Apel’ (1986). 

The 1990s was a springtime for reggae in Indonesia. It was marked by many infusions of reggae into the islands’ mainstream music. The vibration of reggae was often found in the composition of pop artists like Fariz R.M, Farid Hardja, Doel Sumbang as well as ‘dangdut’ disco by Yopie Latul, Lilis Karlina and friends. The most peculiar experiment was a blend of ‘keroncong’ (local music) and reggae by Rama Aipama, the Jimmy Cliff of Indonesia.

There were also some bands and musicians who had decided to choose reggae as their main identity like Tony Q Rastafara, Imanez, Anci Larici & UB2, Batavia Reggae, and also Tyo Mally. Some of their hits are Rambut Gimbal, Anak Pantai, Samalona, Nona Manis, Susi, Calon Mertua and Apa Kabar.

Reggae had a long hiatus from late 1990s to early 2000 but the organic grass roots fans remained strong. Reggae had a great comeback in 2005 with Steven n Coconuttreez. The band’s song hit, ‘Welcome to My Paradise’ from their album ‘The Other Side’ successfully ruled the entire islands. 

This revival sealed a place for reggae in Indonesia since that time and brought forth some reggae veterans and undergrounders like Masanies Saichu, Tony Q, Joesay Sasak, Emilio Siregar, and Conrad. Steven Coconuttreez became the patron for many reggae bands and musicians. 

Reggae keeps moving forward. The massive growth of technology of information and communication makes it much easier for musicians to freely and independently create music and song without being dictated by major labels. The music came with various flavors. One of them is dancehall. The forerunner of dancehall in Indonesia is Ras Muhamad. He has successfully made an international breakthrough like what he tells in his song ‘Pistol Parabellum.’ 

He brought newness which enriched the catalogue of reggae in Indonesia. In the development of music, reggae now spread evenly throughout the nation with many styles and characteristics. Reggae is always evolving and adapting. It triggers a revolution within an individual and a community. Hopefully reggae will keep on vibrating continuously to bring love, prosperity, peace, and unity. Happy 2nd anniversary to Kultur.media and happy 77th independence day to our beloved nation, Indonesia.  

(Yedi)