Meet Indonesian music artist, Ramengvrl

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi, I’m Ramengvrl, I’m from Indonesia, and I rap, I write, sometimes I sing, but mostly I just make music.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I’m born and raised in Jakarta all my life. It’s the capital city of Indonesia, so you can be sure that you got people from all types of backgrounds everywhere. On one side you see these tall elite shopping malls with fancy shops, but right in front of it is literally the slums and lines and lines of street stalls, and they both kinda live codependent with each other, which in my opinion is quite interesting.

I always think everyone in Jakarta has this hustle mentality to some extent. A lot of people never really settle with just one thing at a time, they always come up with another new thing, another new idea–can be good, can be mediocre–but either way, they’re always moving, always trying to find ways to get by and be something more.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

Worst: the traffic. Just google it. Best: the people. I always think everyone in Jakarta has this hustle mentality to some extent. A lot of people never really settle with just one thing at a time, they always come up with another new thing, another new idea–can be good, can be mediocre–but either way, they’re always moving, always trying to find ways to get by and be something more. Oh and the food, but that applies to all of Indo.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Can-do, wild, 24/7.

How did you start your career in music?

I started off just uploading demos on soundcloud every time I wanted to get away from work (I was in 9-to-5 jobs for a while), then it turns out people like it, they start catching up. So I joined this hip hop collective (which, considering hip hop isn’t that popular in Indo, even in Jakarta, is kinda rare) where I released my first official single ever, “I’m Da Man”, which I think gained me fans for the very first time, then I followed up with “CA$HMERE”, and next thing you know things just kind of rolled out on its own since then.

I started off just uploading demos on soundcloud every time I wanted to get away from work (I was in 9-to-5 jobs for a while), then it turns out people like it, they start catching up.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Not really. Some people in the office, they found out my soundcloud and they laughed at it. On the other hand, my parents were always against anything that is not a steady monthly paycheck type of jobs, and not to mention they’re pretty conservative so seeing me wanting to resign from the office to do hip hop music, AS A FEMALE IN INDO, might be lowkey a heart attack for them haha. But when they saw me lining up these shows, plus I always make sure I pay their bills and everything, they became more and more supportive. I think now they’re like my biggest supporter ever, to the point that it can be kinda embarrassing haha.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I want my music to reach people all over the world. I mean yeah sure these days, anyone’s songs can reach people in freakin’ UK or whatever, but I mean having a solid fan base around the world. I love Indo and I especially am grateful to all my Indonesian fans coz they are like my “day ones”, but I’ve always believed that my music can transcend borders, that it’s on par with any of music from the other side of the planet and I want that and that’s what I’ve been trying to achieve.

I love Indo and I especially am grateful to all my Indonesian fans coz they are like my “day ones”, but I’ve always believed that my music can transcend borders, that it’s on par with any of music from the other side of the planet and I want that and that’s what I’ve been trying to achieve.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

Kanye West. Like I don’t mind him having the complete authority even if it’s also my song, like tell me what to do lol

How would you describe the women around you?

They all killin’ it in their own way. They’re all smart and super confident and a lot of times I wanna have just a piece of their vibe.

They all killin’ it in their own way. They’re all smart and super confident and a lot of times I wanna have just a piece of their vibe.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Honestly, none. And I don’t mean that in a condescending way–there’s a lot of dope females here doing their own thing and killing it and a lot of them I love and applaud, but there’s no one I made as my so-called “role model” growing up. Coz in Indo, people love “the good girl next door”, people love females that have nice long hair, are generally pretty and girly, never makes mistakes or say bad things–basically perfect. And I’m definitely not that. Then I saw female artists like Nicki Minaj, or not even Nicki Minaj, but like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Japan), who paved their way and made it big by just being their “own artist”, and embrace their unapologetic attitude or quirkiness or whatever, and not afraid to be seen as “weird” or “bitchy” and still making $$$? That to me is inspiring.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

People are always gonna judge you by how you look. Yeah, my music is dope, but if I don’t look a certain way, they’re gonna talk about it. If I post a pic and my love handles are showing, they’re gonna say I’m getting fatter. I think there’s always an added obstacle for women in any industry, and that is physical look.

Have faith in yourself, and YES, you gotta prove yourself 10x more than your male counterparts but when you’ve done it successfully you’re gonna reap the result.

Do you have any advice for other women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Have faith in yourself, and YES, you gotta prove yourself 10x more than your male counterparts but when you’ve done it successfully you’re gonna reap the result.

What’s your favorite local food spot?

I like eating the sesame tonkotsu ramen in Yoiko Ramen in South Jakarta.

What question would you like us to ask the next artist?

Hmm, how do you beat writer’s block during quarantine I guess?

Photos courtesy of Ejja Pahlevi and Irfandhia