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Rossa (singer)

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Sri Rossa Roslaina Handiyani, known professionally as Rossa, is a prominent Indonesian singer and entertainer. She is widely recognized as the "Queen of Indonesian Pop" due to her massive influence. Her reach extends across Indonesia and various Malay-speaking regions in Southeast Asia. Rossa is one of the country's best-selling artists, having sold over 12 million records. Beyond singing, she is a businesswoman, actress, producer, and presenter. Her career demonstrates how a single artist can impact music, business, and culture across borders.

Rossa's musical foundation began with her Sundanese cultural background in West Java. Her mother, Eni Kusmiani, was a practitioner of tembang Cianjuran. This is a traditional Sundanese vocal art form. Growing up with this influence helped shape Rossa's personal values and musical skills. She began her professional journey as a child performer. She shared the stage with established Indonesian rock figures like Nicky Astria and Nike Ardilla. Even the Betawi cultural figure Benyamin Sueb predicted her future international success.

Her professional recording career launched in 1988 with the album Gadis Ingusan. She was only ten years old at the time. Her first major breakthrough occurred with the 1996 album Nada-Nada Cinta. This album sold more than 750,000 copies. The title track was a massive hit on the MTV Ampuh Indonesia chart. It held the number one position for 18 consecutive weeks. This success helped her transition from a child performer to a national star.

Throughout her career, Rossa has achieved several historic milestones in the music industry. Her 2014 album, Love, Life & Music, set a significant record. The Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) and the Indonesian Recording Industry Association (ASIRI) recognized it. The album sold more than 100,000 CDs in a single day. Her compilation, The Best of Rossa, released in 2011, is also legendary. It sold over 5 million copies in Indonesia. This makes it the third best-selling album of all time in the country.

Rossa's influence also involves expanding the boundaries of music production. She is credited with helping to popularize virtual duets in Indonesian pop. This involves using technology to perform alongside deceased artists. For example, she released a re-recorded version of "Jangan Ada Dusta Diantara Kita" featuring the late Broery Marantika. She also works with international producers to evolve her sound. Her 2017 album, A New Chapter, introduced electronic and urban pop influences. This album included collaborations with producers like Mitch Allan and Tushar Apte.

Her success is not limited to the recording studio. Rossa has successfully entered the business and television sectors. She established Diva Family Karaoke, which became a large karaoke chain in Indonesia. She also served as a judge on X-Factor Indonesia for two seasons. In 2019, she reached a new professional level by signing with SM Entertainment. This made her the first Indonesian and Southeast Asian artist to do so. This partnership connects her Indonesian pop roots to a larger global entertainment system.

Rossa's career is marked by high-profile performances and official honors. She represented Indonesia during the Asian Night segment of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. She has also been honored by royal institutions. The Surakarta Palace granted her the title "Kanjeng Mas Ayu Sri Rossa Swarakaloka." Additionally, the Pahang Kingdom in Malaysia granted her the honorific "Dato'." These honors reflect her status as a respected cultural figure. Her music continues to reach new heights, such as her 2023 trilogy album, Another Journey: The Beginning. This project achieved multi-platinum status by selling over 500,000 copies.

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