View source for Koplo

{{short description|Genre of Indonesian popular music}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox music genre
| name              = Koplo
| other_names       = Dangdut koplo
| stylistic_origins = {{hlist|[[Dangdut]]|[[jaipongan]]|dangdut kotekan|[[Campursari|dangdut campursari (congdut)]]}}
| cultural_origins  = Early 2000s, Jarak, [[East Java]]<ref name="ti">[https://tirto.id/dangdut-koplo-puncak-evolusi-dangdut-cACw Dangdut Koplo Puncak Evolusi Dangdut]. ''Tirto.id''. Retrieved March 31, 2021.</ref>
| instruments       = {{hlist|Vocals|[[gendang]]|synthesizer|[[drum set]]}}
| derivatives       = {{hlist|Dangdut pantura|jaranan dangdut (jandhut)|pop koplo}}
| other_topics      =
|image=Dangdut singer Yogyakarta.jpg
|caption=Koplo singer in [[Yogyakarta]]
}}
{{Music of Indonesia}}
'''Koplo''' or '''dangdut koplo''' is a subgenre of [[dangdut]], Indonesian popular dance & folk music, that originated in [[East Java]] during the early 2000s. The genre gets its name from the slang term "''koplo''" which refers to a hallucinogenic drug that is sold cheaply in Indonesia.{{sfn|Weintraub|2013}}{{sfn|Amzy|Pramudita|Pratama|2019}} Dangdut koplo is played at a faster tempo than the standard dangdut music and said to make listeners "feel high" thus gives the same effect of consuming ''koplo'' pills.{{sfn|Weintraub|2013}}{{sfn|Amzy|Pramudita|Pratama|2019}} Koplo also differs musically from the regular dangdut in the dominant role of the drummer, which plays more complex drum patterns.<ref name="ti"/>
Traditional koplo in East Java is notable for the live performances, on which female singers dance erotically by shaking their hips and chests in revealing clothes. The audience also gives money directly to the singer on stage. These characteristic performances have given the notion of koplo as "immoral" music in the eyes of traditional dangdut musicians.{{sfn|Weintraub|2013}}{{sfn|Amzy|Pramudita|Pratama|2019}} [[Rhoma Irama]], one of the most influential dangdut singers also known as "the king of dangdut", repeatedly criticized koplo during the early 2000s and attempted to distance it from the general dangdut genre.<ref name="ti"/>
Nevertheless, koplo has become one of the most popular musical genres in Indonesia, especially with the advent of pop koplo which does not employ overtly sexual performances. Some of the pioneering koplo musicians include [[Inul Daratista]] who popularized koplo in the 2000s. The derivative genre of pop koplo is popularized in the mid-2010s by artists such as [[Via Vallen]] and [[Nella Kharisma]].<ref name="ti"/><ref name="an">[https://www.antvklik.com/dangdut/inilah-sejarah-dan-perkembangan-dangdut-koplo-di-indonesia Inilah Sejarah dan Perkembangan Dangdut Koplo di Indonesia]. ''Antivklik.com''. Retrieved March 30, 2021.</ref>
==Characteristics==
The drum is the most important element of koplo. According to Cak Met, a popular koplo drummer, the regular dangdut is played in 3/4 bar while koplo is played in a faster 4/4 bar, thus requiring a more complex drumming technique.{{fact|date=February 2023}} The standard drum pattern of dangdut is called ''chalte'' which consists of five types of sound, including three that are played by the large drum that is placed on the left side of the drummer and two that are produced by the small drum on the right.<ref name="ti"/> According to Andrew N. Weintraub of the [[University of Pittsburgh]], the koplo drum pattern multiplies all of these sound elements and contains twice the sound of the large drum than the ''chalte'' of the standard dangdut.{{sfn|Weintraub|2013}}
Weintraub traces the origin of these complex drum patterns to [[Sundanese people|Sundanese]] drum players in [[West Java]] who played the traditional [[jaipongan]] music. The jaipongan drum pattern was reinterpreted by dangdut musicians in [[Surabaya]] and [[Banyuwangi]], thus the making of koplo drum patterns went through a cross-cultural process between different ethnic groups.{{sfn|Weintraub|2013}}
Because of the vital position of the drums in the koplo live performances, drum players often become icons. Among the well-known koplo drummers are Cak Met (also known as Ki Ageng), Waryo from OM Armega, and Cak Juri from OM Montana.<ref name="ti"/>
Each region in East Java has its own style of koplo drums. Unique koplo drums can be seen in [[Sidoarjo]], [[Gresik]], [[Nganjuk]], [[Madiun]], [[Ponorogo]], and [[Sragen]]. Dangdut which employs these regional drums is also called ''jaranan dangdut'' or ''jandhut''. While drum patterns and rhythm are no different from the regular koplo, jandhut style uses additional drums called ''sabet'' and ''bem''. Well known jandhut drummer includes Mas Malik from OM Lagista, hailed from Nganjuk.<ref name="ti"/>
==History==
Several theories exist on the origin of dangdut koplo. This includes ''dangdut kotekan'' which was being played since 1993 in the Girilaya region of [[Surabaya]]. Dangdut kotekan was music played to wake up the community for ''[[sahur]]'' during the Islamic holy month of [[Ramadan]]. The drumming technique of dangdut kotekan was developed by drummers Mas Naryo and Mas Sugeng.<ref name="ti"/> Other stylistic origin traces to ''[[Campursari|dangdut campursari (congdut)]]'' based in the Banyuwangi area, which is known for traditional rhythms and thickness of ''kempul'' drums.<ref name="an"/> Koplo also blended in elements from other regional musical genres, including West Javanese [[pop sunda]] and East Javanese ''kendang kempul''.<ref name="Es"/>
The more direct origin of koplo can be traced back to Jarak in the outskirts of Surabaya. A well-known koplo drummer Cak Met confirms this by saying, "Dangdut koplo was born in Jarak, but if you talk about who created it for the first time, it will be confusing. There is a fear of people claiming each other."<ref name="ti"/> Dangdut koplo began to enjoy local popularity in the [[Indonesian National Route 1|Pantura]] (an abbreviation of "''Pantai Utara''" which means "North Coast") area among the working class, such as fishermen as well as bus and truck drivers who cross the coast. This audience remains among the most loyal fanbase of koplo until today.<ref name="an"/>
Koplo began to enjoy nationwide popularity in 2003 after the debut of Inul Daratista. Hailed from [[Pasuruan]], Inul began her career in the East Java region, and her recordings spread nationwide through pirated VCDs.<ref name="ti"/> Inul made headlines with her suggestive ''goyang ngebor'' (drilling dance) featured in ''Goyang Inul'' (Inul's dance).<ref name="Es"/> The popularity of koplo was also fueled by the saturation of the dangdut scene, thus prompted listeners to explore fresh sounds.<ref name="an"/>
However, the popularity of koplo did not diminish. It evolved into a more easily accessible derivative form known as pop koplo by incorporating musical styles of pop music and fashion styles heavily influenced by [[K-Pop]] and began to display chic and elegant impressions.<ref name="ti"/><ref name="Es"/> The new wave of koplo artists also enjoyed the popularity of YouTube and other social media.<ref name="ti"/> Artists who embody pop koplo include Via Vallen (Ascada Music Indonesia), Nella Kharisma (Samudra Record), [[Siti Badriah]] ([[Nagaswara]] Record), and [[Ayu Ting Ting]] (Hits Records).<ref name="ti"/><ref name="an"/><ref name="Es">[https://www.esplanade.com/offstage/arts/dangdut-a-guide-to-indonesias-most-popular-music Dangdut: a guide to Indonesia's most popular music]. ''Esplanade''. Retrieved April 1, 2021.</ref> Via Vallen's hit song "Sayang" characteristically employs elements of [[reggaeton]] and [[rap]] and gendang koplo beat is played only during chorus and bridge, curtailing to the generic pop sensibility of young generations.<ref name="Es"/>
Koplo and its artists are considered enjoying the golden age in the late 2010s.<ref name="ti"/><ref name="an"/> As of March 2021, the music video for Siti Badriah's song "Lagi Syantik" has recorded over 635 million views on YouTube.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tet6_BlStEM Siti Badriah – Lagi Syantik- Pretty Full (Official Music Video NAGASWARA)]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved April 1, 2021.</ref> Via Vallen recorded "Meraih Bintang", a pop song with dangdut element, for the official theme song of the [[2018 Asian Games]].<ref name="Es"/> In 2020, Via Vallen collaborated with Rhoma Irama on a song "Cuma Kamu." Rhoma commended Via for her music and invited her for the duet.<ref>[https://www.suara.com/entertainment/2020/09/12/110000/karena-ini-rhoma-irama-ajak-via-vallen-duet-lagu-cuma-kamu Karena Ini, Rhoma Irama Ajak Via Vallen Duet Lagu "Cuma Kamu"]. ''Suara''. Retrieved April 5, 2021.</ref>
==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}
==References==
* {{cite journal |last1=Weintraub |first1=Andrew N. |title=The Sound and Spectacle of Dangdut Koplo: Genre and Counter-Genre in East Java, Indonesia |journal=Asian Music |date=2013 |volume=44 |issue=2 |pages=160–194 |jstor=24256937 |issn=0044-9202}}
* {{cite conference |last1=Amzy |first1=Nurulfatmi |last2=Pramudita |first2=Pandu |last3=Pratama |first3=D |title=Dangdut and the Concept of Khamr: Hermeneutic Analysis of Dangdut Koplo Performance |conference=1st Workshop on Environmental Science, Society, and Technology, WESTECH 2018 |date=2019 |doi=10.4108/eai.8-12-2018.2283847|doi-access=free }}
{{Folk music}}
[[Category:Dangdut]]
[[Category:Dance music genres]]
[[Category:Folk music genres]]
[[Category:Indonesian folk music]]