Rhoma Irama facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rhoma Irama
Rhoma Irama gave lecture in Palembang, 2015
Member of People's Representative Council
In office 1 October 1997 – 1 October 1999
President	Suharto B.J. Habibie
Parliamentary group	F-KP
Constituency	Jakarta
Personal details
Born	Oma Irama (1946-12-11) 11 December 1946 (age 78) Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia
Political party	Golkar
Other political affiliations	Idaman (2015–2018)
Spouses	Veronica Agustina (divorced) Ricca Rachim Angel Lelga (divorced) Marwah Ali
Children	5, including Debby Irama, Vicky Irama, and Ridho Rhoma
Occupation	Singer songwriter guitarist actor entrepreneur
Signature
Musical career
Also known as	Raja Dangdut (King of Dangdut)
Genres	Dangdut
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1958–present
Labels	HP Records Musica Studios Universal Indonesia

Raden Haji Oma Irama, known as Rhoma Irama (born December 11, 1946), is a famous Indonesian singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is known for his unique style of music called dangdut. Rhoma Irama is from the Sundanese ethnic group.

He started his music career in the late 1960s. He was part of a pop band called Orkes Melayu Purnama. Later, he formed his own band, Soneta Group. They became very successful with a new style of dangdut music. This style mixed Western, Malay, and Bollywood sounds.

In the late 1970s, his music became more focused on Islamic themes. He became known as "Raja Dangdut" (the King of Dangdut). Rhoma Irama has also worked in movies. He has also been active in politics. He joined campaigns for the Islamic United Development Party (PPP) in the past. In 2015, he started his own party, the Peace and Safe Islamic Party. He was its chairman until 2018.

Early Life of Rhoma Irama

Rhoma Irama was born Oma Irama. His parents gave him the noble title of Raden. This was a tradition from his Sundanese father, Raden Burdah Anggawirya. His mother was R.Hj. Tuti Juariah.

Music Career

Starting Out in the 1960s

Rhoma Irama in a musician suit, 2010

Oma Irama's first bands were Tornado and Gayhand. They played Western rock and roll music. They covered songs by artists like Paul Anka and The Beatles.

In 1968, Oma Irama joined Orkes Melayu Purnama. This group helped create the dangdut style. They changed the drum sound and used more electric guitar. They also used the suling (bamboo flute) in a way that sounded like Bollywood music. He also recorded pop Indonesian music with other groups.

Forming Soneta Group in the 1970s

In 1970, Oma Irama formed his own group, Orkes Melayu Soneta. The name "Soneta" comes from the English word "sonnet." In 1973, they added "the sound of Moslems" to their name.

The group had Oma Irama and Elvy Sukaesih as singers. They sang solo and together. Their first album, Volume 01, Begadang ("Stay up all night"), came out in 1973. It had songs by both singers. Oma Irama wanted his music to be stronger. He added electric instruments like keyboards and guitars. He said his guitar style was inspired by Ritchie Blackmore from Deep Purple.

The Begadang album was very popular. Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine listed it as one of the "150 Greatest Indonesian Albums of All Time." The song "Begadang" was also listed as one of the "150 Greatest Indonesian Songs of All Time."

His 1973 hit song "Terajana" is one of the most famous dangdut songs. It was one of the first songs to use the word dangdut. This word helped tell the difference between this new music and older Orkes Melayu music.

After Soneta became famous, Oma changed his name to Rhoma. For ten years, he had many hit songs and movies. In his movies, Rhoma played himself and sang his popular songs. He wrote famous songs like "Kereta Malam" and "Kuda Lumping." These were sung by Elvy Sukaesih.

When performing live, Rhoma Irama used big stages and loud sound systems. He also used fireworks and smoke machines. He often played Steinberger guitars. These guitars were shown in his posters and movies.

Islamic Music from the Late 1970s

After going on a hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) in 1975, he took the name Rhoma Irama. "Raden Haji Oma Irama" is what it stands for. "Raden" is a noble title in Javanese and Sundanese cultures. After his pilgrimage, his music became more Islamic. He started wearing Islamic clothes and had shorter hair.

He decided his music should teach people, not just entertain them. He wanted to use music to show his faith. His songs talked about problems like government corruption and gambling. For example, the song "Haram" warns against gambling. The song "Keramat" tells people to honor their mothers, as taught in Islam.

His 1982 movie Perjuangan dan Doa (Struggle and Prayer) was a special film. It was called the world's first Islamic rock musical movie.

Political Activities

During the Suharto Era

Rhoma Irama supported the Islamic party PPP from 1977 to 1982. Because of this, the government at the time, led by Suharto, banned him from state television and radio. Some of his songs were also banned from being sold. The government wanted to keep religion and state separate.

The ban was lifted in 1988. In the 1990s, President Suharto himself became more open to Islam. After this, dangdut music became more accepted by the government.

2014 Indonesian Presidential Election

In late 2012, Rhoma Irama said he wanted to run for president in the 2014 election. Some groups, like the Wasiat Ulama association, supported him. By December 2013, he was considered a possible candidate for the Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB) party.

Peace and Safe Islamic Party

On October 14, 2015, Rhoma Irama started his own political party. It was called the Peace and Safe Islamic Party (Partai Islam Damai Aman), or Idaman. The Idaman Party tried to join the 2019 Indonesian general election. However, their registration was not accepted. They tried to appeal this decision but were not successful. After trying all possible ways to appeal, Rhoma Irama announced that the party would join the National Mandate Party (PAN) on May 12, 2018.

Discography

Pre Soneta

With OM Soneta

With Soneta Group (Volume Series)

Movie Soundtracks and Compilations

Rhoma Irama Solo Albums

Filmography

• Oma Irama Penasaran (1976)
• Gitar Tua Oma Irama (1977)
• Darah Muda (1977)
• Rhoma Irama Berkelana I (1978)
• Rhoma Irama Berkelana II (1978)
• Begadang (1978)
• Raja Dangdut (1978)
• Cinta Segitiga (1979)
• Camelia (1979)
• Perjuangan dan Doa (1980)
• Melody Cinta Rhoma Irama (1980)
• Badai di Awal Bahagia (1981)
• Sebuah Pengorbanan (1982)
• Satria Bergitar (1984)
• Pengabdian (1984)
• Kemilau Cinta di Langit Jingga (1985)
• Menggapai Matahari I (1986)
• Menggapai Matahari II (1986)
• Nada-nada Rindu (1987)
• Bunga Desa (1988)
• Jaka Swara (1990)
• Nada dan Dakwah (1991)
• Tabir Biru (1992)
• Dawai 2 Asmara (2010)
• Sajadah Ka'bah (2011)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Rhoma Irama para niños