Dewa 19

Dewa 19 is a legendary Indonesian rock band from Surabaya, East Java. Led by singer-songwriter Ahmad Dhani, the group is considered one of the greatest rock bands in Indonesian popular music history. They are often mentioned alongside other major groups like God Bless and Slank. The band was officially formed in 1986. While they experienced various lineup changes and a period of disbandment, they reunited in 2019 for comeback shows. Today, the band functions with a unique structure that utilizes multiple guest vocalists.

The band's musical identity is built on a diverse range of sounds. They blend rock with many different genres, including jazz, folk, funk, glam metal, and hard rock. They also incorporate elements of power pop, psychedelic music, and ballads. This wide variety of styles has allowed them to create many different types of hits. For example, their 1995 album, Terbaik-Terbaik, is highly regarded for its creative pop rock concept. This album even earned a spot on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 150 best Indonesian albums of all time. Their music is performed using standard rock instruments like keyboards, guitars, bass, and drums.

One of the most interesting parts of Dewa 19 is how they handle lead singers. In the current lineup, there is no permanent lead vocalist. Instead, the band features a rotating group of guest singers for their performances. These vocalists include Ari Lasso and Once Mekel, who were both former members of the band. They are also joined by Virzha and Marcello Tahitoe. Depending on the specific show, the band may feature just one vocalist, or they may have up to four singers on stage at the same time. This flexibility allows them to bring different energy and styles to every concert.

The history of the band began with four students from SMAN 2 Surabaya. The name "Dewa" was originally an acronym using the first letters of the founding members' names: Dhani, Erwin, Wawan, and Andra. In the Indonesian language, the word "Dewa" also means "god" or "deity." Initially, the group practiced in a university dormitory at Airlangga University. They later changed their name to Down Beat before eventually becoming Dewa 19 when the members were 19 years old. To find better recording opportunities, the group eventually moved from Surabaya to Jakarta.

Dewa 19 has achieved massive commercial success throughout their career. Their fifth album, Bintang Lima, is a major milestone. It sold over 1.7 million copies in Indonesia, making it the 7th best-selling Indonesian album of all time. In total, the band has sold more than 7 million albums within Indonesia alone. Their financial success is also notable; in 2025, Hai magazine named them the richest band in Indonesia. This was based on annual revenues reaching more than 14 billion. Their influence is further proven by the many awards they have won, including several BASF and AMI Awards.

Despite their success, the band has faced various challenges and significant moments. They have dealt with legal issues regarding copyright infringement and conflicts with certain organizations. The band also experienced internal struggles, such as members leaving due to incompatibility or personal issues like drug addiction. For instance, the departure of vocalist Ari Lasso in 1999 led to the recruitment of Once Mekel. Even during their hiatus from 2011 to 2019, the members remained active in the music industry. Ahmad Dhani managed his own company, Republik Cinta Management, while other members joined different musical groups.

Beyond music sales, Dewa 19 has made a positive impact on society. They were honored with the LibForAll Award in the United States. This award recognized their specific contributions to peace efforts and religious tolerance. In 2008, Rolling Stone Indonesia included both the band and Ahmad Dhani in a list titled "The Immortals." This list named the 25 greatest Indonesian artists of all time. Their ability to navigate changes in members and styles while maintaining such high status shows their lasting importance to Indonesian culture.