Didi Kempot Hesitant to Sing ‘Bojo Galak’ in Front of Jokowi

President Joko Widodo once asked Ganjar Pranowo to bring Didi Kempot along to perform a wayang show. The President laughed out loud during his show.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Didi Kempot performs as a guest singer at a dangdut show in Wuled village, Tirto district, Pekalongan regency, Central Java, on Tuesday (30/7/2019).

SEMARANG, KOMPAS – Campursari singer Didi Kempot died on Tuesday (5/5/2020) at 7:45 a.m. in Solo, Central Java. Born in Solo on 31 Dec. 1966, the singer was known for interacting with his audience and has left behind a number of memorable moments with those he touched, including his hesitancy in singing "Bojo Galak" (Grumpy Wife) for an audience that included President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

This recollection was recounted by Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, who said he had many memories of the singer. Several times he invited Didi Kempot to perform at events and even performed together.

"Pak Jokowi once said that when holding a wayang show, there should be additional performances by other artists so the public would enjoy it more. What kind of artists? Singers and comedians. Pak Jokowi recommended Didi Kempot," he said on Tuesday.

There are lots of funny memories. Didi Kempot was an extraordinary person.

Ganjar also attended a wayang show with Jokowi, for which Didi Kempot had been invited to perform. Ganjar recalled that Jokowi had laughed out loud.

"Then there was an audience request for [Didi Kempot] to sing the song \'Bojo Galak\', [but he said], \'Ora enak, ono Pak Jokowi [That’s no good, Pak Jokowi is here]\'. There are lots of funny memories. Didi Kempot was an extraordinary person," said Ganjar.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Didi Kempot

Ganjar also remembered Didi Kempot as an artist who related to ordinary people and knew how to be creative in this modern world. Through his campursari – a genre that blends Javanese and modern music – he was able to change people\'s views of the genre, which was seen as old and outdated, to become very popular and well-loved.

"Then at that time there was a request for [Didi Kempot] to sing the song \'Bojo Galak\', [But Didi Kempot said], \'Ora enak, ono Pak Jokowi [It’s not good, Pak Jokowi is here]\'.

As a matter of fact, Didi Kempot\'s music was popular among all levels of society. "It also penetrates groups that think, \'I’m highly educated and don\'t like that kind of music.’ (He made them like his music). All [levels of society] welcomed him," said Ganjar.

Entertaining the People

Ganjar said that Didi Kempot often performed for groups of travelers going on mudik (exodus). He also performed at many events for the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police, who had invited Didi Kempot as a guest star. Everyone enjoyed his shows and danced together.

"Once there was an event at the Simpang Lima traffic circle [in Semarang], at which [Didi Kempot] performed. All ethnicities, religions and races [enjoyed that show]. In fact, our brothers and sisters from Papua also sang and danced at the event. He was often invited to perform at the events of some political parties," he recalled.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Singer Didi Kempot (left) belts out a song at Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta on Friday (2/8/2019). Didi Kempot’s performance was part of a shadow puppet show titled "Kresno Jumeneng Ratu" by puppeteer Ki Manteb Sudarsono.

Didi Kempot most recently held a “Concert from Home” charity event on Saturday evening (11/4/2020) with Kompas TV. The concert was broadcasted live and raised around Rp 7.64 billion, which was then distributed as relief aid for the people most affected by Covid-19.

Ganjar spoke with Didi Kempot for the last time at that event. "The Kompas TV charity program was extremely memorable, the ‘Concert from Home’ charity event. At that event, I appeared as one of the \'guest stars\' in one scene and Mas Didi was surprised. Then we had a talk. That\'s my last memory [of Didi Kempot]," said Ganjar.

The Kompas TV charity program was extremely memorable, the ‘Concert from Home’ charity event.

Didi Kempot fell unconscious on Tuesday morning and was rushed to Kasih Ibu General Hospital, according to the hospital’s assistant manager of public relations, Divan Fernandez (Kompas.id, 5/5).

"Yes, he died this morning at Kasih Ibu hospital. I checked with the doctor on call. [Didi Kempot] was admitted in a state of unconsciousness. We did our best to help, but he died," Divan said.

Didi Kempot’s body was laid out for viewing at a funeral home in Ngawi, East Java, and was later buried at Ngawi’s Jatisari Public Cemetery.