Afgan

Afgansyah Reza, known professionally as Afgan, is an Indonesian singer and actor born on May 27, 1989, in Jakarta, Indonesia. He i...

Afgansyah Reza, known professionally as Afgan, is an Indonesian singer and actor born on May 27, 1989, in Jakarta, Indonesia. He is widely recognized for his smooth pop and R&B style and has become one of Indonesia’s most prominent contemporary male vocalists.

He grew up in a musical Muslim family of Minangkabau heritage and is the second of four children. Interestingly, despite later becoming famous for his voice, he never underwent formal vocal training. Beyond music, he pursued higher education and earned a degree in economics from Monash University.

Afgan’s entry into the music industry happened unexpectedly when he and his friends recorded a private album at a recording studio. The producers were impressed by his talent and offered him a contract, which led to his debut album *Confession No.1*. The album blended jazz, pop, and R&B influences and featured popular tracks such as “Terima Kasih Cinta,” helping him gain early recognition in the Indonesian music scene.

His career quickly expanded beyond singing. In 2009, he made his acting debut in the film *Bukan Cinta Biasa*, and later appeared in *Cinta 2 Hati*, contributing songs to the soundtracks as well. Around the same time, he released his second album, *The One*, and continued building a strong presence as both a singer and performer.

Over the years, Afgan released several albums, including *L1ve to Love, Love to L1ve* in 2013, *Sides* in 2016, and *Dekade* in 2018. The “Dekade” concerts celebrated ten years of his career and were held in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, both drawing full audiences. He also collaborated with notable Indonesian artists, including Raisa, and expanded his musical direction with international projects.

In 2021, he launched his first global album, *Wallflower*, marking a major step toward reaching international listeners. His musical style continued to evolve, and by 2022 he shifted more strongly toward R&B, reflecting a more mature and experimental sound compared to his earlier pop-oriented work.

Afgan has received recognition for his contributions to music, including winning the Best Solo Male Vocalist award at the 2009 Anugerah Musik Indonesia. His influence has also been noted internationally, with media outlets highlighting him as one of the Indonesian R&B artists worth following.

Aside from studio work, he remains active in live performances, including appearances at major festivals such as the Java Jazz Festival in 2024. Throughout his career, Afgan has built a reputation for combining emotional vocals with modern arrangements, allowing him to stay relevant across different phases of the Indonesian music industry while continuously evolving his artistic identity.