NIKI Becomes the First Indonesian Musician to Break into the Top 20 Global Spotify Chart, Bringing a Touch of Gamelan in Her Song

Kapanlagi.com - NIKI is an Indonesian singer-songwriter who started her career in the United States. She is widely known for her emotionally charged works and touching lyrics, making her a highly relatable figure for her fans—especially those going through tough times after a breakup.

With a musical style that blends pop, R&B, and alternative vibes, NIKI has managed to create songs that are not only enjoyable to listen to but also full of meaning. Her songs like LOWKEY, EVERY SUMMERTIME, and BACKBURNER often serve as loyal companions for many seeking solace or simply wanting to reflect.

Recently, NIKI has gained global attention due to one of her songs entering the Top 20 Global Spotify Chart, making her the first Indonesian musician to do so with the song YOU’LL BE IN MY HEART, released in 2022 as part of the Spotify Singles project. Widely used on the TikTok platform, this song is actually NIKI's reinterpretation of a well-known artist's song released back in 1999, which was featured in the soundtrack of one of Disney's animated films.

1. NIKI's Profile: Indonesian Musician Breaking into the Global Scene

NIKI, whose real name is Nicole Zefanya, is an Indonesian singer, songwriter, and producer born on January 24, 1999, in Jakarta. She gained widespread recognition after joining the international music label 88rising, which represents many talented Asian musicians. From a young age, NIKI was active in writing songs and uploading covers on YouTube, even serving as the opening act for Taylor Swift's concert in Jakarta while still a teenager. Her music style blends R&B, pop, and soul with emotional and honest lyrics.

Her international career skyrocketed with songs like LOWKEY, LA LA LOST, YOU, and EVERY SUMMERTIME, which became part of the soundtrack for the film SHANG-CHI. She also released albums MOONCHILD (2020), NICOLE (2022), and BUZZ (2024), showcasing her personal side and mature musicality. NIKI has performed on various major stages, including Coachella, and is regarded as one of the Asian music icons successfully breaking into the global market. Her distinctive voice and poetic lyric writing style have garnered her many fans worldwide.

2. The Deep Meaning Behind the Song You'll Be In My Heart

(credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

The song You'll Be In My Heart by NIKI has a very deep meaning about eternal and unconditional love. NIKI conveys the message that the people we love will always have a special place in our hearts, no matter what happens. This song depicts genuine affection, which can manifest in various forms, such as between parents and children, friends, or partners. Lyrics like no matter what they say, You'll Be In My Heart, always remind us that true love does not require validation from the outside world; it is enough to be felt and kept in the heart.

NIKI's version adds a more personal and emotional touch, making this song feel very intimate. She successfully conveys the message of love in a very unique and touching way, allowing many listeners to connect with the song on a deeper level. NIKI's success in bringing this song to the Top 20 Global Spotify Chart shows that the message she delivers can touch the hearts of many, not only in Indonesia, where it reached #1 in the Top 10 Indonesia Spotify Chart, but also worldwide.

3. Spotify Singles Project: Iconic Cover of Phil Collins' Song

(credit: instagram.com/nikizefanya)

The song You'll Be In My Heart, released by Phil Collins in 1999, which is part of the Disney soundtrack TARZAN, is one of the most iconic songs in music history. This song won various prestigious awards, including the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award in the same category. The song depicts the theme of sincere love, which aligns with the film TARZAN that tells the story of the relationship between Tarzan and his adoptive mother, Kala.

In 2022, NIKI gave a fresh touch to this song by releasing a cover version as part of the Spotify Singles project. In this program, artists are asked to record their own songs as well as cover songs from musicians they admire. NIKI chose You'll Be In My Heart because of the significant influence this song has had on her life. With a more minimalist arrangement and emotionally charged vocals, NIKI successfully delivered a deeply touching reinterpretation of this legendary song.

4. Include Gamelan Elements

NIKI is not just re-singing the legendary song You'll Be In My Heart. She also makes a splash by incorporating elements of the traditional gamelan instruments into her song. The calming sounds of the gamelan resonate throughout the song, blending beautifully into the composition.

As is known, gamelan is a traditional musical instrument characteristic of Java and Bali. Gamelan comes from the Javanese word 'gamel' which means to strike or hit. Some of the main instruments in gamelan include saron, bonang, kendang, and gong. In addition, there are also instruments like slenthem, gambang, and siter.

(kpl/ute)