Ahmad Dhani Doesn't Invite Once Mekel to the Surabaya and Solo Concerts, Ari Lasso Gives a Powerful Answer

Dream - Dewa 19 will hold a concert titled A Night At The Orchestra which will be held in two cities, Surabaya and Solo.

They plan to perform at the Surabaya Convention Hall, East Java, on May 19 and 20, 2023. While in Solo, at Edutorium UMS Solo, Central Java, on May 27, 2023.

In this orchestral-themed concert, Dhani will collaborate with three vocalists, namely Virzha, Ello, and Ari Lasso. Once's name is not included.

"There are already many vocalists (of Dewa 19)," said Ari Lasso in South Jakarta, Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Dhani said he deliberately only invited Ari Lasso, Virzha, and Ello, because the three of them are easy to manage. "The three of them usually agree, easy to manage like that so it won't be boring," said Dhani.

According to him, Ari Lasso will sing for two days in Surabaya. He ensures that Ari Lasso will perform on the first and second day of the concert. "I guarantee that he will not sing the same songs," said Dhani.

Meanwhile, when asked why Tyo Nugroho is not participating in this concert, Dhani jokingly responded on stage. "Tyo? Let's call Tyo, let's invite him now," said Dhani while looking for his phone.

In addition, in this concert, Dewa 19 will also collaborate with Mulan Jameela, Ardhito Pramono, and Andien.

Ahmad Dhani: Six Years We Had No Job, Once Continues to Sing Dewa 19 Songs, Show Me the Money!

Dream - Ahmad Dhani said that Dewa 19 had no job offers since Once left in 2010. Meanwhile, Once's solo career is flourishing by singing Dewa 19 songs.

"For six years, we had no job offers for Dewa 19, but Once continues to sing Dewa 19 songs," said Ahmad Dhani in Jakarta, recently.

That's why Ahmad Dhani is demanding proof of royalties from Once for singing Dewa 19 songs during performances. Once has admitted to paying royalties.

"I want to demand it, he said there are royalties, where's the proof? Show me the money," said Ahmad Dhani firmly.

According to Ahmad Dhani, Once has never paid royalties to Dewa 19, either through event organizers or the National Collective Management Agency (LMKN). Because until now, he has not received any payment.

"Yes, what does he mean by proof? There is none. In my opinion, Once is hiding behind the event organizer," said Dhani.

Ahmad Dhani cannot accept that Dewa 19 songs are sung by Once alone because he can earn a large fee. Meanwhile, he, who has composed many Dewa 19 songs, hasn't earned anything.

"If you accumulate it until now, maybe Once could have earned billions if he was paid Rp100 million for one show," said Ahmad Dhani. (x)

Once Mekel Responds to Ahmad Dhani's Ultimatum to Ban Singing Dewa 19 Songs

Dream - Once Mekel finally speaks up about Ahmad Dhani's ultimatum that bans him from singing Dewa 19 songs. He regrets Ahmad Dhani's attitude that seems to corner him.

According to Once, Ahmad Dhani could express his dissatisfaction in an elegant manner. Not by making statements to shape public opinion.

"In my opinion, Dhani, as a politician, at least that's what he's recognized for, should take communicative and elegant steps through constructive channels if there is dissatisfaction," said Once Mekel quoted from Liputan6.com, Friday, March 31, 2023.

"Not by making statements that steer public opinion as if Once is at fault. Because previously he stated that the event organizer was at fault, then suddenly he banned me from singing Dewa songs," added Once.

Once Mekel clarified that he is not just a singer in Dewa 19, but also contributed to songwriting, even if it was only for one song.

Photo: @oncemekelofficial

"I want to clarify here, I don't just sing Dewa songs. I also co-wrote them, like the song 'Cemburu.' I co-wrote it with Dhani, he wrote the lyrics," said Once Mekel.

According to Once Mekel, there is nothing to worry about with the big name Dewa 19. Moreover, he is currently only a male soloist.

"I think it's not a problem if I sing one song. And it's not a competition with Dewa. It means that Dewa, which is already big, how can I compete with them?" he said.

This 52-year-old man is grateful for his music career at the moment. According to him, Dewa 19 will not feel disadvantaged if he sings one or two of their songs. Especially since he does it according to the applicable rules.

Photo: @oncemekelofficial

"I feel satisfied playing for my fans. They might like one or two Dewa songs at my concert. I don't feel like it's harming Dewa if I do this within the context of the existing rules, with royalty payments through LMKN," said Once Mekel.

Previously, Ahmad Dhani strongly prohibited Once Mekel from singing Dewa 19 songs during solo concerts or off-air and on-air events, without his own band.

"I announce that I forbid Once to sing Dewa 19 songs. Since I said it in the media today, I forbid Once Mekel or Elfonda Once from singing Dewa 19 songs," said Ahmad Dhani in North Jakarta, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Dhani issued the ban because Dewa 19 is currently on a tour around Indonesia. According to him, after Eid, Dewa 19's schedule is packed, they can perform twice a week.

Therefore, Dhani wants Dewa 19 songs to only be performed by his own band. "So there should be no other concerts that interfere, that use Dewa 19 songs. Once is prohibited from singing Dewa songs for his concert," he said.

However, AL Ghazali's father still allows Once to perform his own songs, which are not sung by Dewa 19.

"Other Dhani songs are allowed, only Dewa 19 songs are not allowed. Songs from T.R.I.A.D, Ahmad Band, those are allowed. Specifically, Dewa 19 songs are not allowed," he said.