Nazril Irham (born 16 September 1981), known professionally as Ariel or Ariel "Noah", is an Indonesian musician, singer, and songwriter of Minangkabau ancestry.[1] He is the lead singer of the Indonesian band Noah, formerly known as Peterpan.[2]

Ariel
Ariel in 2022
Born
Nazril Irham

(1981-09-16) 16 September 1981 (age 43)
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • model
  • actor
Spouse
Sarah Amalia
(m. 2005; div. 2008)
Children1
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • tambourine
  • bass
  • drums
  • piano
Years active2000–present
LabelsMusica Studio's
Member ofNoah
Formerly ofPeterpan

Ariel founded Peterpan in Bandung in 2000 with Andika, Indra, Lukman, Reza, and Uki. Peterpan's second album Bintang di Surga (2004) is one of the best-selling albums of all time in Indonesia. He was arrested in 2010 on charges relating to celebrity sex tapes found circulating on the internet after his laptop was stolen.[3][4] Peterpan changed their name to Noah after Ariel's release in 2012. Noah also received commercial success, with their first album Seperti Seharusnya (2012) having sold over one million copies.

Music career

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2000–2008: Peterpan

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Ariel founded Peterpan in Bandung on 1 September 2000, with Andika (keyboard), Indra (bass), Lukman (guitar), Reza (drum), and Uki (guitar). Their recording career started in 2002 when they recorded their song, "Mimpi Yang Sempurna", for a compilation album by various artists, Kisah 2002 Malam. Afterward, they were contracted by Musica Studio's and under the name Peterpan released three studio albums: Taman Langit, Bintang di Surga, and Hari Yang Cerah; a compilation album titled Sebuah Nama Sebuah Cerita; and a soundtrack album for the film Alexandria.

After Andika and Indra split from the band in 2006, they demanded their former band change their name.[5] The remaining band members agreed and stopped using the name after 2008.[6] Ariel, Uki, Lukman, Reza, and their new keyboardist, David, planned to announce their new name in 2010,[7] but the plan was put to a halt after Ariel was arrested.[5]

2009–2012: Ariel, Uki, Lukman, Reza, David

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His band–credited as Ariel, Uki, Lukman, Reza, and David–released an album mostly consisting of instrumental versions of Peterpan's songs titled Suara Lainnya in May 2012. His bandmates routinely visited him in prison while working on the album to get his input. Ariel's 2011 single "Dara" was included as a bonus track in the album.[8]

2012–2023: Noah

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Ariel at a concert in December 2013

After Ariel was released from prison, Ariel, Uki, Lukman, Reza, and David announced their new band name: Noah, on 2 August 2012.[5] Noah released their first album under their new name, Seperti Seharusnya, in September 2012.[9] The album was a commercial success, having sold over 1.2 million copies,[10] making it one of the best-selling album in Indonesia. To date, they have released four studio albums: Seperti Seharusnya, Second Chance, Sings Legends, and Keterkaitan Keterikatan.

Solo work

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During his time in prison, Ariel released a solo single titled "Dara". It was released on 18 April 2011.[11]

In 2014, Ariel, along with fellow Musica Studio vocalists Giring Nidji and Momo Geisha, collaborated with fellow Musica Studio's band d'Masiv on the band's single "Esok Kan Bahagia".[12] In the next year, Ariel's vocals were featured in Sheryl Sheinafia's single "Kutunggu Kau Putus",[13] which was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration on 19th Anugerah Musik Indonesia.[14]

Ariel sang two songs from the official album of the 2018 Asian Games. The first was "Bright As The Sun", which was sung by 18 Indonesian singers including Ariel.[15] The second one was "Janger Persahabatan", which was written by Guruh Sukarnoputra and performed by NEV+ (a side project of Nidji, focusing on electronic music), Ariel, and Hivi! former vocalist Dea.[16]

Musicianship

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Ariel tried his hand at songwriting during middle school.[17][18] One of the songs Ariel wrote during high school, titled "Yang Terdalam" (the deepest), received praise from his friends. The positive response drove Ariel to write more songs.[19]

Ariel's musical style was influenced by the grunge band Nirvana ever since his teenage days.[20] Ariel is a fan of Nirvana's vocalist Kurt Cobain.[21][22]

Ariel's songwriting was influenced by the poet Kahlil Gibran. Ariel was introduced to Gibran's writings in high school and liked the meaning he found behind Gibran's poetry.[18]

Celebrity sex tape scandal

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The Bill against Pornography and Pornoaction came into effect in Indonesia in 2008.[3] In June 2010 Ariel was charged with breaking the law by appearing in two sex videos found on the Internet.[3] Ariel claimed the tapes were stolen from his house and posted online without his consent, but the judge argued the pop star did nothing to prevent their widespread distribution.[23]

TV presenter Luna Maya and soap opera star Cut Tari denied being the women in the videos.[3] However, on 9 July 2011, Cut Tari admitted to being in one of the three sex videos. The confession was made as Cut Tari did not want to preempt the police's investigation into the case.[24] The sex video prompted an outpouring of criticism from conservative Muslims.[3]

Ariel was held in custody from his arrest until his trial, in Bandung, West Java, which began in November 2010. On 31 January 2011 a guilty verdict resulted in three years in prison.[25] The video could also result in prosecution under a law banning adultery,[26] owing to Cut Tari having been married at the time it was made in 2006.[27] The two women were not charged.[28]

On 31 January 2011, Ariel was sentenced to 3+12 years behind bars and fined 250 million rupiah (US$28,000). Prosecutors had asked for a five-year sentence.[29] The maximum sentence possible for the charges was 12 years.[30] On 25 April 2011 the Bandung High Court rejected his appeal.[31] On 23 July 2012, after serving two years in prison, Ariel was released early for good behaviour.[32]

The scandal became a popular topic. Communications and Information Technology Minister Tifatul Sembiring engaged in a Twitter debate after suggesting that the possibility of mistaken identity was similar to the Muslim belief that a lookalike of Jesus of Nazareth had been crucified;[33] he stated that the internet could "destroy" the nation.[34]

Awards and recognition

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Ariel performing in Makassar, November 2022

Ariel has won numerous awards with Noah, including AMI Awards for Best of the Best Album for Bintang di Surga, Seperti Seharusnya and Keterkaitan Keterikatan; and for Best of the Best Production Work for "Bintang di Surga" and "Separuh Aku".[35][36][37] In December 2010, Rolling Stone Indonesia ranked Ariel at number 43 on its list of the Greatest 50 Indonesian Singers.[38] In February 2014, Rolling Stone Indonesia ranked Ariel 28th-best Indonesian songwriter.[39]

Film awards

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Award Ceremony Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
4th Indonesian Movie Awards 2010 Best Newcomer Actor Sang Pemimpi Nominated [40]
Favorite Newcomer Actor Nominated [41]

Music awards

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Award Ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
2014 World Music Awards 2014 Best Male Artist Nominated [42]
World Best Entertainer Nominated

Singles

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Year Title Album
2011 "Dara" Non-album single[a]
2018 "Janger Persahabatan" (with NEV+ and Dea) Energy of Asia: Official Album of Asian Games 2018
2019 "Moshimo Mata Itsuka" (featuring Ariel Nidji) Non-album single[b]
2021 "Cinta yang Diam" (with Difki Khalif) Non-album single
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Year Title Album
2014 "Esok Kan Bahagia" (D'Masiv featuring Giring Nidji, Momo Geisha and Ariel Noah) Hidup Lebih Indah
2015 "Kutunggu Kau Putus" (Sheryl Sheinafia featuring Ariel Noah) II
2017 "Bright as the Sun" (as part of Energi18) Energy of Asia: Official Album of Asian Games 2018
2020 "Menghapus Jejakmu" (Bunga Citra Lestari featuring Ariel Noah) Non-album single

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 Sang Pemimpi Adults Arai
2013 Noah: Awal Semula Himself Documentary Film

Endorsement

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  • XL (With Noah)
  • Sunsilk
  • Lux
  • Yamaha
  • KFC
  • Vaseline men (with Noah)
  • Kakao Talk (with Noah)
  • Vitamin Water (With Noah)
  • BRI (With Noah)
  • BRImo
  • Greenlight
  • Geoff Max
  • Gosend
  • Kratingdaeng

Notes

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  1. ^ Included as a bonus track in Ariel, Uki, Lukman, Reza, David album Suara Lainnya.
  2. ^ Included as a bonus track in CD release of Noah album Keterkatian Keterikatan.

References

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  1. ^ "Asal Gen Yunani-Siprus dalam DNA Ariel". Historia - Majalah Sejarah Populer Pertama di Indonesia. October 18, 2019.
  2. ^ Tedjasukmana, Jason (June 25, 2010). "Sex Video Scandal and Indonesia's Porn Obsession". Time. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e Vaswani, Karishma (June 25, 2010). "Sex tape charges for Indonesian star Nazril Irham". BBC News, Jakarta. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  4. ^ McPherson, Kate (June 21, 2010). "Sex tape stirs Indonesian internet censorship debate". Radio Australia News. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c "Peterpan Ganti Nama Jadi Noah" [Peterpan Change Their Name to Noah]. JPNN.com (in Indonesian). August 2, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  6. ^ "Ariel Sedih Nama Peterpan Hilang". detikHot (in Indonesian). October 20, 2008. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  7. ^ "Peterpan Masih Belum Berganti Nama" [Peterpan Still Haven't Change Their Name Yet]. Liputan6.com (in Indonesian). May 2, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  8. ^ "Ariel Cs. Luncurkan Album Suara Lainnya" [Ariel cs. released Suara Lainnya album]. ANTARA News Kalimantan Barat (in Indonesian). May 23, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  9. ^ Ati Kamil, ed. (September 11, 2012). "Ariel Ulang Tahun, NOAH Rilis Album Perdana" [On Ariel's Birthday, NOAH Release Their First Album]. Kompas.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  10. ^ "Tiga Bulan, Noah Tembus Penjualan 1,2 Juta Kopi" [In Three Months, Noah Sold Over 1.2 Million Copies]. Tempo.co (in Indonesian). February 20, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  11. ^ "'Dara' Ariel, Berkisah Tentang Kerinduan" [Ariel's "Dara", Story About Longing]. JPNN.com (in Indonesian). April 19, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  12. ^ Irfan Maulana (February 11, 2014). Ati Kamal (ed.). "Rian d'Masiv Gandeng Ariel NOAH-Giring Nidji-Momo Geisha" [Rian d'Masiv Collaborate with Ariel NOAH-Giring Nidji-Momo Geisha]. Kompas.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  13. ^ Fakhmi Kurniawan (December 10, 2015). "Sheryl Sheinafia Rilis Video Klip 'Kutunggu Kau Putus'" [Sheryl Sheinafia Release Video Clip of "Kutunggu Kau Putus"]. detikHot (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  14. ^ "19th AMI Awards 2016". AMI Awards (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  15. ^ Galuh Esti Nugraini (February 21, 2018). "18 Penyanyi Indonesia Menyanyikan Theme Song Asian Games" [18 Indonesian singers sing the theme song of the Asian Games]. KapanLagi (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  16. ^ Andi Muttya Keteng Pangerang (May 2, 2018). Irfan Maullana (ed.). "Guruh Soekarno Putra: "Janger Persahabatan" Cocok dengan Suara Ariel NOAH" [Guruh Soekarnoputra: "Janger Persahabatan" fits Ariel NOAH's vocals]. Kompas.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  17. ^ Adhib Mujaddid (June 5, 2015). "[Eksklusif] Ariel Kenang 'Menunggumu', Uki Teringat Chrisye" [[Exclusive] Ariel recall "Menunggumu", Uki remembers Chrisye]. KapanLagi.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Evan Oktavianus (October 3, 2020). "Khalil Gibran, Inspirasi Ariel NOAH Menciptakan Lagu" [Khalil Gibran, Ariel Noah's inspiration to songwriting]. Okezone (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  19. ^ Achmad Rafiq; Aria Pradana (June 12, 2020). D.N Mustika Sari (ed.). "Ariel NOAH Ungkap Lagu yang Membuatnya Percaya Diri Berkarier di Dunia Musik" [Ariel Noah reveals the song that made him confident in his music career]. Kumparan.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  20. ^ Miftahul Khoer (June 14, 2013). "ARIEL NOAH Idolakan Kahlil Gibran dan Nirvana" [Ariel Noah idolizes Kahlil Gibran and Nirvana]. Bisnis.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  21. ^ Feby Ferdian (February 19, 2015). "Ariel NOAH Pernah Bikin Lagu untuk Kurt Cobain" [Ariel Noah once wrote a song for Kurt Cobain]. Liputan6.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  22. ^ Syukri Rahmatullah (August 10, 2012). "Kurt Cobain, Vokalis Idola Ariel Saat SMP" [Kurt Cobain, Ariel's favorite vocalist when in middle school]. Okezone (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  23. ^ "Nazril Irham Update: Indonesian Pop Singer Sentenced to 3 1/2 Years in Jail for Sex Tapes". CBS News.
  24. ^ "Cut Tari admits being in sex video". The Jakarta Post. July 9, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  25. ^ Martinez, Edecio (June 25, 2010). "Nazril Irham Sex Tape: Indonesian Pop Star Detained Over Sex Tapes". CBS News. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  26. ^ Belford, Aubrey (June 13, 2010). "Sex Tape Scandal Fixates Indonesia". New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  27. ^ Wall Street Journal. June 24, 2010 http://online.wsj.com. Retrieved June 25, 2010. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ^ Indonesia sex tape star goes on trial, BBC News, 22 Nov 2010, accessed 22 November 2010
  29. ^ "Ariel gets 3 years, 6 months in prison". The Jakarta Post. January 31, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  30. ^ Indonesia sex tape star is jailed, BBC, 31 January 2011
  31. ^ Suwarni, Yuli Tri (April 26, 2011). "Bandung High Court rejects appeals in Ariel's sex-video case". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  32. ^ Bellman, Eric (July 23, 2012). "Peterpan Star Released from Indonesian Prison After Sex-Tape Scandal". The Wall Street Journal. New York, USA. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  33. ^ Maulia, Erwida (June 19, 2010). "Tifatul chided for linking sex tape scandal to crucifixion". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  34. ^ "Internet a risk to nation, says Indonesian minister". The Age. Melbourne. AFP. June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  35. ^ "9th AMI Awards 2005". AMI Awards (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  36. ^ "16th AMI Awards 2013". AMI Awards (in Indonesian). Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  37. ^ "Daftar Lengkap Penerima Penghargaan 23rd AMI Awards" [Complete List of 23rd AMI Awards Receivers]. AMI Awards (in Indonesian). November 27, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  38. ^ Denny MR (December 1, 2010). "Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Indonesian Singers". Rolling Stone Indonesia (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on December 9, 2010. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  39. ^ Tim Rolling Stone Indonesia (February 3, 2014). "Cover Story: 100 Pencipta Lagu Indonesia Terbaik" [Cover Story: 100 Best Indonesian Songwriters]. Rolling Stone Indonesia (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  40. ^ "Kholidi Kalahkan Ariel" [Kholidi defeat Ariel]. Kompas (in Indonesian). May 5, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  41. ^ "Ariel Kaget Masuk Nominasi Aktor Terfavorit" [Ariel Surprised to be Nominated Favorite Actor]. detik.com (in Indonesian). May 5, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  42. ^ Ferdian, Feby (January 23, 2014). "Ariel Noah Raih 2 Nominasi di World Music Awards" [Ariel Noah got 2 nominations at the World Music Awards]. Liputan 6 (in Indonesian). Retrieved December 26, 2021.