Afgan (@afgan__) is one of Indonesia’s biggest music exports. Not too long ago, he released a lovely electro-pop single, “Escape,” featuring K-pop icon, Jessi (@jessicah_o), via Trinity Optima Production / EMPIRE. The accompanying music video finds Afgan and Jessi on a friend’s retreat in Bali.
Afgan – “Escape” (Official Video) feat. Jessi
“Escape” dives deep into the emotions of love and escapism. The lyrics are poignant, weaving a tale of longing and the desire to break free from the constraints of time and space. Afgan sings passionately, “I know you got your door halfway open, but tell me if you’re in or you’re out.” This line reflects the uncertainty and urgency in a relationship, urging for a decision to be made. The metaphor of the ‘halfway open door’ symbolizes indecision and the need to fully commit or move on.
Jessi’s reply adds another layer of emotion and depth: “I want your body, I just wanna love you in so many different ways. Don’t fight the feeling, all we ever need is someone to believe in, baby.” Her words emphasize the physical and emotional connection, underscoring the importance of mutual belief and support in a relationship.
Together they sing, “Let’s go somewhere far away and spend the rest of our days.” This plea to get away highlights a desire to abandon all worries and simply be together with your significant other, free from the constraints of everyday life.
Afgan and Jessi have created a song that will resonate with Jackson Wang and NIKI supporters, and anyone who has felt the push and pull of love and the longing to escape from the mundane. Their voices blend seamlessly, bringing the lyrics to life and making us all yearn for that perfect escape. Furthermore, “Escape” is featured on Afgan’s second all-English and most ambitious project yet, “Sonder.”
Afgan – “Sonder” EP
“I’ve come so far and have grown and experienced so much. I didn’t have a say back then on how I wanted my music to be. I was controlled by the market, by what people expected me to be. I really didn’t have the confidence to speak out. But through the years, I’ve become more and more courageous to explore new sounds and to open up more about myself, for people to get to know me on a deeper level. That’s the direction I want to go with my artistry— I want to be more honest. I don’t want to fit in a box and stay in that box forever, because it’s comfortable for everyone. I see myself leaning more towards this direction and evolving.” – Afgan explained
“Sonder,” recorded entirely in London, is Afgan’s most personable body of work. An artist since he was 18 years old, who’s been an Indonesian household name for over a decade, Afgan has found his voice. The EP includes collaborations with two groundbreaking female Asian acts, “Criminal” with Vietnamese American R&B star, thuy, and “Escape” with Jessi.
The meaning of the album’s title, a word Afgan came across on Pinterest, stayed with him because it’s true— everyone has their own complex story and none are the same. The stories Afgan tells on “Sonder” include his overwhelming fear of commitment due to trauma in the emotional ballad, “Shallow Water.” He discovers comfort in solitude on the euphoric dance track, “Lonely Night.” Afgan courageously opens up lyrically and further departs from his pristine image as his nation’s darling to bring a sense of relatability to his fans like never before.
Afgan has been redefining Indonesian music on the global stage with his commanding vocals, emotionally charged songwriting, and R&B sensibilities. Over his illustrious career, he’s built a massive passionate fanbase of nearly 20 million followers across his social media and hundreds of millions of streams across his music catalog.
His 2021 groundbreaking album, “Wallflower,” his first English project and foray into the global pop market, spotlighted his influence and opened new doors for the Jakarta-based superstar. It earned #1 on Netease International Chart and landed on 10 Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists. The album’s top singles, which included “M.I.A” featuring Jackson Wang, “Touch Me” (Remix by Robin Thicke), “Say I’m Sorry,” and “If I Don’t Have Your Love,” have generated more than 40 million streams.
Afgan – “Shallow Water” single
Afgan’s star quality continues to take stock internationally. In February, Afgan announced his comeback with the emotionally riveting single, “Shallow Water,” alongside his U.S. concert debut in New York and Los Angeles. The three, sold-out, headlining dates are a new benchmark for Afgan.
Afgan
Afgan, the shortened moniker for Afgansyah Reza, grew up in Jakarta, as a shy individual, finding solace in music and honing his natural talent in the privacy of karaoke rooms. His mother’s love for powerhouses like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Brian McKnight would come to shape Afgan’s vocal style. He would imitate these artists, practicing their belting and runs.
One day, serendipitously, a label VP overheard Afgan’s captivating rendition of John Legend’s “Ordinary People” during a karaoke session and offered him a record contract on the spot. Afgan released his debut album, “Confession No.1,” in January 2008 and since then, has become an influential, beloved name in Asian entertainment with eight solo albums under his belt.
Known for his soulful, buttery vocals, coalesced with R&B and ballad roots, Afgan has headlined arenas throughout Asia, including at Java Jazz Festival, Joyland, and PESTAPORA, and toured 60 dates in 2023 alone.
Afgan
Afgan’s dynamic performance extends from the stage to TV and film, such as the popular Korean reality series, “Tripmate: Who Are You.” Over the years, Afgan exceptional talents have been recognized with accolades such as winning the MAMA Award for Best Asian Artist Indonesia in 2018 and the VLive Award for Favorite Artist Indonesia in 2019.
Afgan has also collaborated with fashion brands, like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Coach, and Kenzo, and with artists such as B.I, Jackson Wang, Robin Thicke, and Raisa. Most recently, two of his singles, “Panah Asmara” and “Lenggang Puspita” went viral on TikTok with millions of videos created. As he embarks into his next era, a year that’s already brimming with promise, including a new album and more world dates, Afgan is unabashedly him.
Afgan – “Escape” single feat. Jessi
We recommend adding Afgan’s “Escape” single to your favorite electro-pop playlist. Let us know how you feel in the comment section below. Mel Blanc’s famous catchphrase, That’s All Folks! Thanks for reading another great article on Bong Mines Entertainment – the hot spot for new music and positive entertainment news. Always remember that (P) Positive, (E) Energy, (A) Always, (C) Creates, (E) Elevation (P.E.A.C.E). Contact us on social media via Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook, and let us know what’s going on. Also, don’t forget to support our merchandise and become a Patron of Bong Mines Entertainment. Disclaimer: This post contains Apple Music affiliate links. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our site. That little compensation will be used towards keeping this website up and running.