Titi DJ goes it alone in juggling family and music

Titi DJ goes it alone in juggling family and music

By Helly Minarti

JAKARTA (JP): Her friends know her as the easygoing Titi DJ,
chipper and taking life light. The public knows her as a singer,
a popular emcee, talented actress and sometime comedian.

But she identifies her first love as singing. "I always wanted
to be a singer since I started off from scratch."

As a teenager, she frequently appeared on the state television
network, long before the advent of private TV stations.

"I did it many times in the hope that a recording company
would offer me a contract."

But it was to no avail, and she embarked on another strategy
to launch her singing career.

"Accompanied by my mother, I took the bus, visiting every
recording company for an audition. I sang in front of them
stupidly until they told me that I could simply record my voice
on a cassette and submit it," she laughed.

There were other outlets for her talents.

At the age of 17, she joined the Miss World beauty pageant as
an unofficial contestant from her homeland (she did not place),
danced with Guruh Soekarnoputra's Swara Mahardhikka troupe, sang
backup vocals for singer Chrisye and appeared in several movies.

Now, at the age of 32, she has wrapped seven solo albums and
is about to release her eighth, Bahasa Kalbu (Soul Language).

"It's about love, my favorite subject, as it's always been."

She collaborated with veteran and young songwriters, including
Nugie, Ahmad Dani and her ex-boyfriend Indra Lesmana, with whom
she has made four albums.

"He (Indra) is one of my biggest influences in music," said
Titi. "It's been long since I sang Indra's songs. I did it on
purpose, to prove that I can sing other songs, too, just as well
as I sing his."

Among the eight numbers are Nugie's Kelinci (Rabbit), and a
cover of Dewa 19's Tak Kan Ada Cinta Yang Lain (There Will be No
Other Love).

Titi wrote lyrics for five of them. "They're kind of personal,
one of them is Daffa, named after my little son."

Titi offers no musical surprises in the album, which she
jointly produced with Dorrie Kalmas, also a songwriter.

There is none of the latest trend for electronica, and no
turning to R&B. She remains as poppy as always.

"But I worked together with some arrangers who I believe are
very innovative in translating my concept into something
contemporary."

She chose Andi Rianto. "First I gave it to someone else, but
the result was not what I wanted. Andi put some nice and kind of
unusual stringed arrangements to the song, not something grand
but surprising."

She conceded none of her albums have been big hits, "but
neither have they caused producers to lose their money".

The biggest bang of her singing career was Salahkah Aku (Is it
My Fault?), the single taken from one of the finalists of
Prambors Songwriting Contest.

Since last year she has been part of Elfa Singers, the
critically acclaimed vocal group founded by the noted Elfa
Secioria.

"Elfa's for me is like a school where I sharpen and improve my
singing skills while earning some money, too."

Singing as part of an ensemble pushes her to make the most of
her talent.

"I have to take my part, make some rooms for other members.
It's quite different from performing solo, but it is a
challenge."

Her early training with the late Pranadjaja, who emphasized
the harmony in singing with others, has helped her a lot.

She is preparing to shoot video clips for the album while
still taking occasional singing and emcee jobs.

Her talents are still in demand -- during the one-hour
interview, she sealed two deals by phone.

"Like everybody I want this crisis to end, but thankfully I
still get jobs although not as many as before."

Tabloids have feasted on Titi's colorful love life. Juicy
stories were written on her six-year relationship with Indra, and
her doomed marriage to young actor Bucek Depp, with whom she has
twins, Salma and Salwa, 3, and 18-month-old Daffa.

Bringing up the children alone after her divorce last year has
led to a more demure Titi. Gone is her trademark flashy dressing
style of big wig, boots and figure-hugging pants.

Currently dating painter Enrico Sukarno, Titi is pragmatic
about the future of the relationship.

"Of course I hope and work for the best, but I'm not pushy. If
everything does not turn out in my favor, at least now I can say
I've experienced the worst, so how bad it can be?"