The 28th Anugerah Musik Indonesia (AMI) Awards took place at Ciputra Artpreneur, Jakarta Selatan, celebrating a vibrant and diverse Indonesian music scene. This year’s event highlighted outstanding achievements across 63 categories, emphasizing inclusivity and innovation in the industry.
Hindia emerged as a dominant figure by winning multiple awards in the alternative music category. His album "25 on Blank Canvas" secured the Best Album Award, while his song "everything u are" took home the Best Alternative Solo Artist title. Hindia’s success underscores his strong position in Indonesia’s experimental music landscape.
Prince Poetiray: Best Newcomer
One of the night’s standout moments was Prince Poetiray winning the Best Newcomer award. The young singer’s unique blend of poetry, pop, and soul caught the attention of both critics and fans alike. His fresh approach and authentic artistry positioned him as a promising talent in Indonesia’s evolving music scene.
General Categories and Key Winners
The AMI Awards this year recognized exceptional work in production and emotional songwriting. The Best Production Work award went to Tenxi, Jemsii, and Naykilla for their hit "Garam & Madu (Sakit Dadaku)", a song resonating deeply about heartbreak and longing. This collaboration illustrated the power of merging distinct genres to create a viral sensation.
The full list for the main general categories includes:
- Best Production Work: "Garam & Madu (Sakit Dadaku)" – Tenxi, Jemsii, Naykilla
- Best Album: "25 on Blank Canvas" – Hindia
- Best Newcomer: Prince Poetiray
Pop Category Highlights
The pop segment witnessed a notable comeback by Raisa, who clinched the Best Female Solo Pop Artist award for her track "Terserah," which speaks about freedom and personal decisions relevant to youth today. Meanwhile, Rony Parulian received the Best Male Solo Pop Artist for his acoustic-driven, lyrically reflective song "Pesona Sederhana."
Additional pop category winners were:
- Best Duo/Group Pop: The Lantis – "Bunga Maaf"
- Best Pop Album: Salma Salsabil – "Berharap Pada Timur"
Alternative and Rock Scenes
Beyond Hindia’s double win, the rock genre stayed vibrant with For Revenge awarded Best Rock Artist for "Penyangkalan" and .Feast winning Best Rock Album for "Membangun & Menghancurkan." These awards demonstrate the continued growth and relevance of rock music in Indonesia.
Dangdut and Koplo Evolutions
The dangdut genre continues to evolve, with Lesti holding her position as Best Female Solo Dangdut Artist for "Dilema." King Nassar earned Best Male Solo Dangdut Artist for "SAMIRA," which mixes poetic lyrics with contemporary diction. A touching collaboration between Denny Caknan and Bella Bonita brought them the Best Koplo Duo/Group award for "Sinarengan."
Rap/Hip-Hop and Other Genres
Ecko Show was named Best Solo Rap/Hip-Hop Artist for "FYP Today 2," tackling social media pressures with sharp lyrical flow. The duo Tenxi, Jemsii, and Naykilla also received acclaim in the rap/hip-hop category for “Garam & Madu.”
Jazz, soul/R&B, and electronic music categories honored artists like Indra Lesmana, Kaleb J, White Chorus & Dzulfahmi, and Bleu Clair & Jevin Julian, highlighting the depth and experimental spirit pervasive in Indonesia’s music.
Special and Supporting Awards
The AMI Awards also showcased diversity through special categories:
- Best Children’s Artist: Gempi – "Ajaib"
- Best Regional Language Song: Tabola Bale – "Silet Open Up"
- Best Islamic Spiritual Song: Yura Yunita – "Tanda"
- Best Christian Spiritual Song: LOJ Worship – "Sukacita Live"
Behind-the-scenes contributions were recognized as well. Producer Jemsii earned Best Producer for "Garam & Madu." The music video for Hindia’s "everything u are," directed by Yogi Kusuma, won Best Music Video, and Hujan Orang Mati received Best Album Graphic Design for "Majelis Lidah Berduri."
Honoring Legends and Promoting Global Reach
The awards paid tribute to legendary musicians Jopie Item, Jan Djuahana, and James F. Sundah for lifetime achievements shaping modern Indonesian music. The International Special Awards went to Salma Salsabil for pop Indonesian music and Japanese duo Creepy Nuts for pop from Japan.
A Reflection on the Ceremony’s Impact
Candra Darusman, Chairman of the AMI Foundation, emphasized that these awards reflect the ongoing regeneration and global ambitions of Indonesia’s music industry. He noted that music today embraces greater bravery, diversity, and global outreach while remaining deeply rooted in local traditions.
The presence of prominent artists like Raisa, Afgan, Prince Poetiray, Quinn Salman, and Ecko Show confirmed Indonesia’s music industry is entering a golden era marked by rich creativity and collaboration.
This comprehensive recognition at AMI Awards 2025 not only honors individual excellence but also celebrates the collective spirit shaping Indonesian music’s future. The event unites a multitude of voices into a harmonious celebration of the nation’s cultural and musical diversity.
