Ampun Bang Jago
"Ampun Bang Jago" (lit. 'Beg You Mercy, Champ') is an electronic dance music (EDM) song by Indonesians Jonathan Dorongpangalo and Everly Salikara, known by their pen name as Tian Storm and Everslkr, respectively. It was not initially created as an EDM, but the rising trend in Indonesia caused them to convert the song into one. The song became viral, becoming a frequently-used song on TikTok, and received international popularity.
| "Ampun Bang Jago" | |
|---|---|
 Thumbnail for the music video | |
| Song by Jonathan Dorongpangalo and Everly Salikara | |
| Language | Indonesian, Manado Malay |
| English title | Beg You Mercy, Champ |
| Published | Delapan Belas Musik[1] |
| Genre | Electronic dance music |
| Producer(s) | Kevin Rater[1] |
| Music video | |
| "Ampun Bang Jago" on YouTube | |
Background and lyrics
Jonathan Dorongpangalo and Everly Salikara, known by their pen name as Tian Storm and Everslkr, respectively, are musicians from Bitung, a city in North Sulawesi. Dorongpangalo conceived the idea for "Ampun Bang Jago" as a political satire song that pokes fun at the Indonesian authorities, concerning the power struggle between the people and them,[2] "because my life motto is concede to win."[3] The song is made under the name of musical collective Bassgilano, with whom the duo joined in 2016.[4]
The first draft of "Ampun Bang Jago" was a set of "jargons" instead of an electronic dance music (EDM) as the final result is. After being belittled by fellow musicians under the mode of competition, Dorongpangalo and Salikara converted the draft into an EDM, one which aligns with Indonesia's rising trend. As a result, the song became viral, and became a mandatory song in the duo's village's "Disko Tanah" community. Not long later, the song became an available track for TikTok users to use on their videos. "Ampun Bang Jago" is their second viral song that is also used on TikTok, after "Anjing Kacili" ('Tiny Dog'),[5] although Dorongpangalo did not expect the hype.[3] It was also used by protesters during the Indonesia omnibus law protests.[2] In addition, the song gifted Dorongpangalo and Salikara a partnership with a "famous" record label in 2017. As of "Ampun Bang Jago", the duo had created 60 songs, divided into five albums.[5]
The song also received international popularity. On 8 October 2020, the TikTok account of football club West Ham United F.C. made a video using the song, with an eponymous caption. As of 13 October 2020, it garnered 1.2 million views and 110.1 thousand likes, making it the most-viewed video from the account.[6]
It received larger attention, after a 26-year-old exercise instructor named Khing Hnin Wai did an aerobics video in Naypyidaw, amid the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. As "Ampun Bang Jago" climaxes in the background, the situation behind her became much more tense. Hnin Wai appears to not realize what was happening behind, hinting a political satire, although she denied the claim. The video was described by NPR as surreal.[7] Posted on her Facebook, the video became viral and was met with mixed opinions.[8][2] Responding to the video, Dorongpangalo hoped that "Ampun Bang Jago" becomes the torchbearer for the future of Indonesian music.[3]
Due to the popularity, the duo announced that a sequel, "Ampun Bang Jago 2", is in the works, and is scheduled to be released in early 2021. It will have similar lyrics, but with a different audio mixing style.[4]
Music video
The music video for "Ampun Bang Jago", published on YouTube on 12 September 2020, is set at an abandoned field and a bus terminal. Several troubled people are fighting and chasing each other; these shots are intercut with a montage of three girls dancing. The plot quickly climaxes to one of the men involved being threatened to be shot. His team tries blocking their nemesis from attacking him, but they fail miserably, and the man is shot.[1]
The music video and lyrics video for "Ampun Bang Jago 2" is set to be released sometime in the future. The music video, specifically, is a partnership with the Bitung Police.[4]
References
- "AMPUN BANG JAGO - Tian Storm x Ever Slkr (Official Music Video) DISKO TANAH - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- Yuniar, Resty Woro (2 February 2021). "Myanmar fitness coach dances to Indonesian protest anthem as coup unfolds". South China Morning Post. Agence France-Presse. South China Morning Post Publishers Limited. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- Azizah, Zakiyatul (11 October 2020). Nugroho, Fajar Adhityo (ed.). "Viral di TikTok, Lagu Ampun Bang Jago Ternyata Punya Makna Mendalam" [Viral on TikTok, the Song Ampun Bang Jago has a Very Deep Meaning]. JakpusNews.com (in Indonesian). Pikiran Rakyat Media Network. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- "Kreator Siap Rilis Ampun Bang Jago 2 Usai Viral" [After Virality, Ampun Bang Jago 2 was Announced]. CNN Indonesia. Trans Media. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- Arbar, Thea Fathanah (2 February 2021). "Kisah Lagu 'Ampun Bang Jago' yang Viral Saat Kudeta Myanmar" [The Story Behind 'Ampun Bang Jago' Which Became Viral During the Myanmar Coup D'état]. CNBC Indonesia (in Indonesian). Trans Media. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- Syaifullah, Asep (3 October 2020). "Kisah Lagu Ampun Bang Jago Yang Dipakai West Ham" [The Story of Ampun Bang Jago, Used By West Ham]. Detik.com. Trans Media. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- "Coup Caught On Camera: Myanmar Woman Goes Viral For Dance Video With Surreal Backdrop". NPR. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- "Exercise instructor appears to unwittingly capture Myanmar coup in dance video". the Guardian. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.