Badai, the Former Kerispatih Member, Confused by Sammy Simorangkir's Statement About Song Royalties, Feels Aggrieved

Kapanlagi.com - Badai, the former keyboardist and main songwriter of the band Kerispatih, recently expressed his disappointment with the royalty management system in the Indonesian music industry. He feels aggrieved because the copyright and royalties he should have received have not been properly compensated.

In response to Sammy Simorangkir's statement, musician Badai expressed a different perspective from the viewpoint of a songwriter. He feels that he has been on the losing end financially because his works have been used without clear compensation.

1. Badai Feels Wronged as the Owner of the Song

Badai feels confused by the narrative that places him as if he is the one complicating things, whereas in reality, his songs continue to be performed without any clarity on compensation for him. He then details where he feels the losses have been all this time.

"If we talk about losses, then I am the one who loses. My song is performed everywhere, the LMK is unclear, the LMKI is also unclear, and the performers of the song are also unclear. So where is the potential loss? It must be with me, right, as the owner of the song," said Badai at Al Barkat Carpet, Fatmawati, South Jakarta, Monday (28/7/2025).

2. Has Implemented Royalty Scheme for Sammy

KapanLagi.com/Budy Santoso

He admitted that he had previously taken the initiative to implement a professional royalty scheme for Sammy Simorangkir. However, according to him, the initiative did not receive a good response from the singer.

"I also communicated with Sammy to do the same with my band. However, he also refused to pay it like that," he revealed.

3. Royalty Percentage System in the Band Kerispatih

This situation, said Badai, is 180 degrees different from the band Kerispatih itself. After he left, he implemented a percentage system for the band that had made his name, and everything went according to the contractual agreement.

"After 2016, I left Kerispatih, I also imposed a percentage payment on Kerispatih at that time. But at that time, what I gave to Kerispatih was 10%. It was negotiated down to 5%. There is a contract and it is valid for only 1 year from 2022 to 2023, if I'm not mistaken," he explained.

4. Royalties Were Never Paid

KapanLagi.com/Budy Santoso

Because Sammy rejected the scheme, Badai emphasized that throughout this time, his former vocalist had never paid royalties directly to him. Although he feels his rights have not been fulfilled, Badai chose not to take aggressive action.

"So the only one who pays is Kerispatih 5%, Sammy has never paid me and I have never bothered him. I have never demanded," he asserted.

5. Questioning Sammy Simorangkir's Loss

The fact that he has never bothered Sammy is also in line with what the vocalist said in the MK trial. Therefore, he questions again where the loss experienced by Sammy lies.

"All this time, whenever Sammy sings anywhere, I have never been concerned about that, and yesterday in the MK trial, he said that he has never been questioned. So now I ask, where is the loss?" he said.

6. Disappointed with Sammy Simorangkir

Sammy Simorangkir, the former vocalist of Kerispatih, claims to feel aggrieved because his contributions are not recognized. He feels unsafe due to the legal uncertainty in the music industry. Feelings of disappointment and confusion also envelop Badai after hearing Sammy's public statement. He feels sad because the narrative that has developed seems not to reflect the reality he has experienced all this time.

"So, yes, I can say that when he said that yesterday, I was a bit sad, you know. I mean, the sadness is not in the sense of being confused or overly emotional, no, I'm just puzzled, you know," said Badai.

7. QnA Regarding Badai's Royalty Issues Formerly of Kerispatih

What makes Badai feel aggrieved? Badai feels aggrieved because the copyright and royalties that he should receive have not been paid properly.

What is the content of the summons issued by Badai? Badai's summons relates to the alleged copyright infringement of the song 'I Still Love You' and requests recognition as the creator of the song.

What is Badai's hope for his issue? Badai hopes that song creators can be more prosperous with a fair distribution of royalties.

(kpl/far/fbi)