Alffy Rev is one of most under appreciated millennial content creators in Indonesia.

The 24-year old independent composer, DJ, song writer, cinematographer, and entrepreneur is one of the hardest workers that I’ve met.  

Alffy self-produces his own EDM (electronic dance music) remixes of traditional Javanese orchestra and Indonesian national songs, which have attracted the attention of Indonesian youths. He also self produces all of his music videos and other video content. Alffy’s work displays Indonesia’s finest local culture, arts and he brings a strong sense of nationalism to his work.

His interest in arts led him to study music and film formally, but he later dropped out when he decided to buy a musical instrument instead of paying his school tuition. His decision paid off. His music videos on YouTube have been viewed tens of millions of times and he was asked to produce 12 theme songs for the country’s national airline Garuda as part of their official airplane take-off and landing soundtracks. In early 2018, he played alongside the hugely popular American DJ and music producers – The Chain Smokers in a live concert in Jakarta. 

When Indonesia hosted the Asian Games in 2018 and called for musicians to submit applications to produce its theme song, Alffy instead submitted a self-produced theme song remix and a fully produced music video to accompany it, paid for with his own money. He was ultimately chosen to perform at the Asian Games closing ceremony, one of the biggest and most successful international events that Indonesia has ever hosted.

That same year, he produced a remix of the Indonesian national anthem and released it on the Independence Day. It was accompanied by a beautiful video which included various ethnicities, people wearing traditional clothes and shot in multiple exotic locations in Indonesia. However, some people were deeply upset about it, saying that his remix was degrading and disrespectful. Some even said that he violated a 2009 law which prohibits the lyrics or arrangement of the song to be modified or disrespected. He later formally apologized and removed the video from his Youtube channel despite the fact that the song was very well done and promoted Indonesian culture.

Alffy has gone on to produce video commercials, more music and regularly performs in concerts throughout Indonesia. He continues to collaborate with young artists and I’m sure that has some incredible music pieces on the way.

Check out his Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJpxfn2SxQ6NyH_lkvqitpQ/videos

Check out my podcast episode with Alffy in 2018: E25: Electronic Nationalism: http://hyperurl.co/l3d9z6 

Shawn Corrigan is the host and producer of Indonesia In-depth, Indonesia’s leading business, political and culture podcast based in Jakarta. He has spent more than a decade in Indonesia working as a political risk consultant and established Indonesia In-depth in 2017. He speaks English and Indonesian. In addition to the podcast, Indonesia In-depth provides professionals with content services, from podcasts, audio documentaries to social media content.