Anji Says the Royalty Issue is Getting Louder, It Can Actually Be Resolved by Sitting Together

Kapanlagi.com - Singer and songwriter Anji has finally spoken up about the royalty polemic that has recently become a hot topic among musicians in the country. According to Anji, the current debate has become too noisy and complicated. He admitted to being one of the more vocal parties from the beginning, but now he chooses to be quieter.

"Actually, what is happening today is too noisy in my opinion. I was also one of those contributing to this noise at the beginning. I have been discussing this since 2015. Basically about performing rights royalties," Anji said when met in the Kemang area, South Jakarta, Wednesday (25/6/2025).

1. Already Talked a Lot About Royalties Since 2015

Instagram/duniamanji

Anji said that all forms of criticism and his views regarding the royalty system have been conveyed for a long time. All of that, he said, has been recorded in the digital footprint. However, when the issue of royalties began to be widely discussed by many parties, Anji chose to step back for a moment.

"I have talked a lot since 2015, everything is recorded in digital, in the digital footprint, but lately when many people started to voice their opinions, I actually became like, okay then. Because it has become too noisy, too chaotic, and too divisive like that. Including me, I am actually part of one of the associations," he said.

2. The Royalty Issue is Too Noisy

Instagram/duniamanji

As a musician who is part of one association, Anji realizes that the royalty issue is not actually a difficult matter to resolve. He regrets the conflict between parties that only worsens the situation.

"It's just that lately I have been quiet. Why? Because it's too noisy, too complicated, too messy, whereas the issues are actually simple: empathy, ethics, understanding, you know," he said.

3. The Solution is to Meet & Sit Together

Instagram/duniamanji

"The thing is, if we talk from the legal side, from the regulatory side, we won't meet. Because the regulations are indeed gray. So this party that is big talks from this side," he added.

According to Anji, the two parties that often oppose each other on this issue can actually sit together. He even mentioned that what should be highlighted is the system that regulates and supervises royalty distribution, not just mutual attacks among musicians.

4. Two Opposing Parties Should Unite

"This party that is also big from this side continues to be opposed. In fact, these two camps should actually unite. Now this one, the one who creates the system, who supervises the system, who gets the money, this one, that one, this is actually what we need to attack as well," he said.

Nevertheless, Anji emphasized that the resolution of the royalty issue must still be based on empathy and understanding among all parties.

5. Anji Chooses to Focus on His Personal Life

"Yes, even though empathy is needed like earlier, empathy, understanding, artists, ethics. To resolve this, we need to sit down together," he said.

For now, Anji chooses to focus on personal matters such as his work and personal life. He feels he is not ready to get involved again in the turmoil regarding royalties, which he believes is becoming increasingly complex.

"Right now I'm focusing on my work, my life, my love life, if there is any. So, that's it," he said with a small laugh.

6. Legal Steps Are Just Fine to Take

In response to the emergence of legal lawsuits from several musicians regarding royalties, Anji views this as a form of expression of long-held disappointment.

"In my opinion, a lawsuit is indeed a step that can be taken. We also need to try to understand that there are feelings that have been suppressed for a long time," he said.

For Anji, there is nothing wrong if musicians choose the legal route to fight for their rights. As long as it is taken with awareness and in accordance with the applicable laws, then that step is perfectly fine.

"For me, it's perfectly fine to take that step and there are indeed laws that accommodate that. So, I don't get involved, but for me, it's something that can be taken," concluded Anji.

7. Why are royalties from music streaming platforms often perceived as low for musicians?

Royalties from streaming services like Spotify and YouTube are usually small due to a complex distribution system: advertising or subscription revenue is divided among labels, distributors, platforms, and ultimately musicians/creators who only receive a small portion.

Additionally, in Indonesia, only about 12 percent of the platform's revenue is returned to musicians through institutions like LMK/FESMI/LKMN. The collective and administrative cuts from these institutions further reduce the net amount received by songwriters. Even major musicians like Ariel Noah have stated that the current system is less transparent and unfair.

(kpl/far/fbi)