Dangdut: Indonesian Pop Music Fusion

Dangdut is a genre of Indonesian popular music that is partly derived from Arabic, Indian, and Malay folk music. It developed in the 1970s among working class Muslim youth, but especially since the late 1990s has reached a broader following in Indonesia. A dangdut band usually consists of a lead singer backed by four to eight musicians. The term has been expanded from the desert-style music, to embrace other musical styles. Modern dangdut incorporates influences from Latin, house music, hip-hop, R&B, reggae and even Western classical music.

Most major cities, especially on Java, have one or more venues that have a dangdut show several times a week. The concerts of major dangdut stars are also broadcast on television. In 2003 singer Inul Daratista became the subject of much controversy and criticism from conservatives over her suggestive, erotic style of dancing during televised shows. MyIndo. com reported in 2003 that Project Pop, an Indonesian Nu metal band, released a humorous tribute to dangdut titled Dangdut Is The Music Of My Country.

Leading dangdut artists include: * Rhoma Irama (King of Dangdut / Most popular singer since 1970s) * Elvy Sukaesih (Queen of Dangdut / Most popular singer since 1970s) * Inul Daratista (Creator of Goyang Inul which sparked the anti-pornography controversy) * Evie Tamala * Mansyur S. * A. Rafiq * Dewi Yull * Fahmy Shahab * Meggy Z. * Camelia Malik * Dorce Gamalama Because the popularity of the genre, some movies and TV show are made about Dangdut themes such as Rhoma Irama’s movies and Rudy Soedjarwo’s Mendadak Dan

King Of Dangdut