With more than 50 musicians performing on four different stages at the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, also known as Istora Senayan, the FLAVS Festival 2022 has lived up to its aspiration to be the counterpart to pop and rock music festivals by putting hip hop, R&B and soul music and their devoted artists front and center.

Held this past weekend from Sept. 10 to 11 by the South Jakarta-based VISICITA Network, the festival’s third edition also presented nonmusic spectacles like freestyle dance and graffiti battles, a freestyle cycling and skateboarding showcase and music workshops.

Jakarta rapper Ramengvrl, enthused about the festival’s focus on hip hop music.

“[Because] Hip hop is all about celebrating one’s individuality. It’s about celebrating being you!” she said on the final evening of the festival, just before going on stage and getting the crowd on its feet with her high-energy number, “I AM ME”.

Hip hop haven

Hip hop and rap artists both appeared at home throughout the two-day festival. Jakartan hip hop collective Dreamfilled turned up the heat despite the overcast weather with rousing tracks from 2022’s debut full-length album, YOMBEX.

On another stage, Kripikpeudeus mixed fiery rock styling with barbed rap verses and freestyle dancers in gorilla masks to celebrate the band’s 25th year in the hip hop scene.

Straight out of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, rapper and producer Januarta The Goat used FLAVS to introduce his discography to the Jakarta audience, including past tracks such as the slow-burning “Bad Loves Business”. For the 18-year-old rapper, real name Januarta Raja Dira Tome and known for his signature raspy, throaty verses, the opportunity to showcase his music in the nation’s capital was not to be missed.

“I feel so overjoyed,” he told The Jakarta Post minutes after his performance. “They really showed their love, coming all the way here to see me.”

He also praised FLAVS for providing a platform for all hip hop artists and rappers across the country, especially as “there are lots of players, but not enough stages”. As the icing on the cake, Januarta The Goat generously teased what to expect from his upcoming album, a follow-up to his 2021 EP Cerita Selesai di Timur (The story ends in the east).

“I can assure you, it’s going to be very different from the [current] Indonesian hip hop scene. I have been experimenting,” he said, without divulging anything more.

The one-night-only team-up of rappers was one of the festival’s major highlights. Rap Rock United, a supergroup consisting of St. Loco, 7 Kurcaci, Kripikpeudeus, Ragajimesin, MasterWu, Andy of rock band /rif, Iwa K, John Doe, Laze, Yacko and Eka Annash, proved that rock music and rap are practically musical cousins.

Another supergroup dubbed Symphony From Hell united some of the country’s more prominent rappers today, such as Ramengvrl, Tuantigabelas and Mario Zwinkle. Across the pond, rapper A. Nayaka joined forces with his hip hop band Blue Room Boys as they brought to the stage the band’s debut album, 2021’s UR Amazing.

Ladies’ night

From the R&B scene, the female artists took a swing for the fences, turning in some of the most memorable performances of the festival. Next-gen R&B artists Gavendri, Moneva and the duo RL KLAV showed off their individual chops before sharing the stage to cover Lauryn Hill’s rendition of Frankie Valli’s classic, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”.

Meanwhile, Marion Jola ditched her pop persona for a deliberate application of R&B-heavy musical arrangements into her signature bops, such as “Overthinking” and “Tak Ingin Pisah Lagi” (Don’t want to split up again).

Another festival highlight was when composer-producer Nikita Dompas rustled together Reza Artamevia, Imaniar, Sania, Shanty and singer-rapper Denada in a nostalgic production of late ‘90s and 2000s’ R&B bops. Marking a major stage appearance after more than a decade, Shanty was visibly brought to tears as she performed her signature dance jams “Hanya Memuji” (Just a compliment) and “Oh Kasih” (Oh darling) at the full-house venue.

“Hey, Jakarta, I’m back!” Shanty exclaimed tearfully to the audience’s applause.

Representing the alternative and soul genres, Oslo Ibrahim exuded romantic vibes with his latest single, “All My Friends Are Fallin’ in Love”. He also gave what was arguably the night’s most Instagrammable moment when he licked the strings of his electric guitar before a rapturous crowd.

Singer-songwriter SIVIA made her case for being the country’s future Queen of Soul, her commanding presence most apparent on the gospel-influenced “Butterfly”.

“A festival like this offers options, that Indonesian music is [actually] very diverse. It’s a statement that there are so many music scenes in Jakarta alone,” the 25-year-old gushed to the Post.

“I would [also] like to explore more, musically. I’m planning to release album number two next year, so stay tuned!” she added.

Pop acts still featured at the festival, with mainstream-leaning performers such as Rizky Febian, Yura Yunita, Juicy Luicy, Raisa and Tiara Andini taking to different stages at FLAVS.

Tiara’s set, in particular, encountered significant hurdles in the form of heavy rain, wind and audio glitches. As such, the 20-year-old singer told the Post after her set that she didn’t expect the crowd would still gather for her performance.

“It was quite a big storm, but they stuck with me until the final song. It really brought me to tears,” said Tiara.

She also didn’t expect the crowd at a hip hop, R&B and soul festival to turn up for a pop singer.

“Oh my God, it was such a joy and a relief!” she said. “Turns out, the crowd was huge and they got to sing along as well. Even though the rain interrupted things, overall it was very fun.”

Might her participation in FLAVS imply that she was thinking about exploring hip hop, R&B or soul in the future? “You’ll see! Hip hop, R&B and soul, even rap, too!” she answered with a knowing grin.

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