Elvy Sukaesih

Elvy Sukaesih
Born
Else Sukaesih

(1951-06-25) 25 June 1951
Jakarta, Indonesia
GenresDangdut
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
Years active1960s–present

Else Sukaesih (born 25 June 1951), is an Indonesian dangdut singer and actress who has been dubbed the "Queen of Dangdut".[1]

Early life

Elvy Sukaesih was born Else Sukaesih on 25 June 1951 in Jakarta, Indonesia, to parents of Sumedang descent.[1][2] Her musical talent was inherited from her father, Muhamad Ali, who was a musician.[1][3] She began singing in the third grade of elementary school and often accompanied her father to perform at wedding ceremonies in West Java.[1][4] When she was 13 years old, her father asked her to perform solo on stage; she was successful in her first performance and began focusing on singing.[1][2] She changed her name to "Elvy" after being inspired by a novel featuring a female character with that name.[1]

Career

Early career and OM Soneta (1960s–1975)

Sukaesih's career began to take off after she joined Malay orchestras (orkes Melayu), such as OM Pancaran Muda and OM Pernama.[1][3] In the early 1970s, she became a backing vocalist for dangdut king Rhoma Irama in OM Soneta.[1][2] Her career reached new heights after OM Soneta released the album Ratu dan Radja in 1975.[1][3] The album was a major success and solidified her status as a leading dangdut singer.[1]

Solo career (1975–present)

Sukaesih left OM Soneta in 1975 to pursue a solo career.[1][2] She has since released numerous albums across various genres, including pop, Malay orchestra, solo, duet, and compilation albums.[1] Some of her notable solo albums include Cubit Cubitan, Colak-colek, Tidak Tahan, Pesta Panen, Bisikan Kasih, Nasib Janda, Elvy Sukaesih Vol. 2, Cincin Kepalsuan, Bisik-bisik Tetangga, and Gula-gula.[1]

In a 1991 interview with Tempo magazine, Sukaesih explained that she had intentionally stepped back from the dangdut scene to give room to new singers and to focus on her role as chairwoman of the Indonesian Dangdut Artists Family Association (Ikardi).[2]

In October 2024, Sukaesih celebrated 60 years in the music industry, still actively performing at the age of 73.[2][5] In October 2025, at the age of 74, she performed at the Synchronize Fest in Jakarta, reuniting with the Japanese ska band Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra after 29 years.[6][7] The duo had first performed together in Tokyo in 1996.[6][7] During the 2025 performance, she sang "Bisik-bisik Tetangga", along with other hits like "Pengobat Rindu", "Gula-gula", "Kereta Malam", "Sekuntum Mawar Merah", and "Kopi Dangdut".[7]

Acting career

In addition to singing, Sukaesih has appeared in numerous Indonesian films.[1][2] Her filmography includes Tiada Seindah Cintamu (1977), Jalal Kojak Palsu (1977), Assoy (1977), Goyang Sampai Tua (1978), Cubit-cubitan (1979), Kisah Cinta Rojali dan Zuleha (1979), Irama Cinta (1980), Gaya Merayu (1980), Senggol-senggolan (1980), Mandi Madu (1986), and Hantu Biang Kerok (2009).[2][1]

Personal life

Sukaesih married Zaidun Zeidh Abu Bakar Jindan in 1965 at the age of 14.[1][3] They had six children: Haedar, Fitria, Ali Zaenal Abidin, Syechans, Wirdha Sylvina, and Dhawiya Zaida.[1] Her husband died of a heart attack in 2002.[1] Her daughter Dhawiya Zaida followed in her footsteps and became an actress.[2]

Awards and recognition

  • AMI Award for Best Female Dangdut Solo Artist (2005)[1][4]
  • Golden Achievement Award – Spirit Cultural Asean Community from the Sultanates of Johor and Kelantan (2015)[1][4]
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – SCTV Music Awards (2016)[1][4]

Discography

Selected solo albums

  • Cubit Cubitan
  • Colak-colek
  • Tidak Tahan
  • Pesta Panen
  • Bisikan Kasih
  • Nasib Janda
  • Elvy Sukaesih Vol. 2
  • Cincin Kepalsuan
  • Bisik-bisik Tetangga
  • Gula-gula

With OM Soneta

  • Ratu dan Radja (1975, with Rhoma Irama)

Filmography

  • Tiada Seindah Cintamu (1977)
  • Jalal Kojak Palsu (1977)
  • Assoy (1977)
  • Penasaran (1977)
  • Betty Bencong Slebor (1978)
  • Tuyul (1978)
  • Goyang Sampai Tua (1978)
  • Mana Tahaaan... (1979)
  • Cubit-cubitan (1979)
  • Kisah Cinta Rojali dan Zuleha (1979)
  • Kerinduan (1979)
  • Irama Cinta (1980)
  • Gaya Merayu (1980)
  • Senggol-senggolan (1980)
  • Mandi Madu (1986)
  • Hantu Biang Kerok (2009)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Profil Elvy Sukaesih, Ratu Dangdut Indonesia". Kompas (in Indonesian). 20 September 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Sang Ratu Dangdut Elvy Sukaesih 60 Tahun Berkarya dalam Lagu dan Film". Tempo (in Indonesian). 12 October 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Profil Elvy Sukaesih, Ratu Dangdut Indonesia yang Pernah Jadi Penyanyi Pendamping Rhoma Irama". Tribunnews (in Indonesian). 20 September 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The Legend: Ratu Dangdut Elvy Sukaesih". RRI.co.id (in Indonesian). 11 January 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Elvy Sukaesih Genap 74 Tahun, Masih Gas Pol Manggung di Festival Musik Kalcer". detik.com (in Indonesian). 12 September 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Synchronize Fest: Dangdut Queen Elvy Sukaesih to Reunite with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra". Jakarta Globe. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "Elvy Sukaesih Bawakan Lagu 'Bisik-bisik Tetangga' Bareng Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Setelah 29 Tahun". Kompas (in Indonesian). 6 October 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2026.