Agnes, Gesang get AMI 2004 awards

Artists young and old attended the AMI Indonesian Music Awards 2004 that was held at the Jakarta Convention Center in Central Jakarta on Thursday evening.

Young singer Agnes Monica secured two awards as the best female artist with her song Jera (Give Up) and for the best duet with personnel of popular band Dewa with their song Cinta Mati (Love till Death).

"I hope these awards will motivate us to go international," 18-year-old Agnes said at a media conference after receiving the award.

Gesang, an 82-year-old singer and song writer, received an AMI award for his dedication to Indonesian music.

Gesang, who is famous for his well-known song Bengawan Solo, is noted by the Indonesian Museum of Records as the oldest artist still producing albums.

The AMI award for best male artist went to pop singer Rio Febrian while the award for best pop album went to singer Marcel. The award for best pop band went to Sheila On 7.

Dangdut singer Kristina got two awards for best female dangdut artist and best dangdut album, while singer Hamdan ATT received an award for best male dangdut artist.

Hundreds of people, including dozens of young South Koreans, attended Thursday's award, which was sponsored by electronics producer, Samsung, with the ceremony also featuring popular South Korean artists.

Last year's AMI awards went to ballad singer Iwan Fals for best male artist, Audy for best female artist, Inul Daratista for best female dangdut artist and Denny Malik for best male dangdut artist. --JP