Profile and Interesting Facts about Rhoma Irama, Giving Positive Messages in Every Song - Expressing His Wishes Before Passing Away

Kapanlagi.com - Written by: Yunita Yasmine Salsabilla

As a true dangdut lover, you must be familiar with the legendary figure of Indonesian dangdut, Rhoma Irama. So legendary, Rhoma Irama holds the title of King of Indonesian Dangdut.

Of course, reaching the current point of success was not an easy task. Before holding the title of King of Dangdut, Rhoma Irama went through the ups and downs of life. Here is a complete profile and a series of facts about Rhoma Irama, the King of Dangdut.

1. Place of Birth

credit: instagram.com/rhoma_official

Rhoma Irama is a senior dangdut singer and film star. Rhoma was born in Tasikmalaya on December 11, 1946. More than half a century, Rhoma Irama is currently 78 years old.

Although no longer young, Rhoma Irama is still active in producing new works. In fact, Rhoma Irama is also not hesitate to collaborate with young dangdut stars of today.

2. Meaning of the Name Rhoma

credit: instagram.com/rhoma_official

Rhoma Irama's real name is Raden Irama. The choice of the name Rhoma is a combination of several names that have their own meanings.

The name Rhoma is taken from the words 'Raden', 'Haji', and 'Oma'. Oma is the affectionate nickname his mother gave him. Then, Irama comes from a name of a Sundanese theater group called Irama Baru.

3. Career Journey

credit: instagram.com/rhoma_official

To achieve great success and be crowned the King of Dangdut is certainly not an easy task.

Together with his legendary music group Soneta, Rhoma Irama has experienced the ups and downs of the dangdut music industry in the country. Soneta music group was formed on October 13, 1973. Until now, Rhoma Irama continues his career as the king of dangdut with Soneta.

Not only successful as a dangdut singer and earning the title of King of Dangdut, Rhoma Irama is also known for his acting skills and has achieved great success in the film industry.

4. Singing Indian and Western Songs Since 2nd Grade

credit: instagram.com/rhoma_official

Apparently, Rhoma Irama's musical talent has been brewing since a young age. Rhoma enjoyed listening to Middle Eastern songs performed by Umi Kultsum.

Rhoma has also been singing Western and Indian songs since he was in 2nd grade. Rhoma always had enthusiasm and never felt embarrassed when asked to showcase his singing talent in front of his friends.

5. Skipping School for the Sake of Music

credit: instagram.com/rhoma_official

The deep love for music led Rhoma Irama to escape several times during class hours just to play music.

Together with his friends, Rhoma would escape through the school window to play music together. Of course, this had an impact on his attendance at school. As a result, Rhoma did not move up a grade. Feeling embarrassed, Rhoma decided to transfer schools.

6. Once Aspired to Become a Judge

credit: instagram.com/rhoma_official

Having been mistakenly beaten up by a gang, Rhoma Irama believes that violence is not fair, especially when it is done without knowing the truth first.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Rhoma Irama aspired to become a judge. Rhoma hopes that he can uphold justice and defend anyone.

Rhoma also briefly studied social politics at Universitas 17 Agustus. Unfortunately, Rhoma only pursued this education for 1 year because he was forced to cut his long hair.

7. Behind Religious Music and Full of Social Messages

credit: instagram.com/rhoma_official

Rhoma Irama states that music has the power to shape a person's character. Rhoma tries to make his music a medium for conveying the word of God.

Through an interview on a World Music and Dance event in Japan, Rhoma Irama explains why most of his songs are themed around social issues, human rights, and preaching.

"Music is not just for fun, but it has a responsibility to Allah and to humans. Music has the power to change and shape a person's character. Music can make a person's character good or even bad," said Rhoma Irama.

8. Success in the Film Industry

credit: instagram.com/rhoma_official

Surely, KLovers are familiar with this dialogue, "Ani! You're really too much!". This sentence is one of the dialogues in one of Rhoma Irama's films titled Oma Irama Penasaran (1976).

It is known that besides being successful in the singing world, the king of dangdut Rhoma Irama also succeeded in showing his popularity in the acting world.

Here are some of Rhoma Irama's legendary and successful films that have garnered profits: Satria Bergitar (1984), Begadang (1978), Berkelana I and II (1977), Sebuah Pengorbanan (1982), Pengabdian (1984), Cinta Segitiga (1979), Gitar Tua Oma Irama (1977), Menggapai Matahari (1986), Perjuangan dan Doa (1980), and Bunga Desa (1988).

9. Wish Before Death

credit: instagram.com/rhoma_official

At his age that is no longer easy, Rhoma Irama has one wish before his time comes.

Rhoma Irama wants to build an Islamic school. The Islamic school will later become a public school located in the Karawang area, West Java.

(kpl/yuv)