Ahmad Dhani

Watched TV the other day and saw Ahmad Dhani gave an ultimatum to his wife, personnel of Ratu, Maia. He wants her back as a housewife taking care of their kids rather than being involved in the entertainment business. “Either Ratu stops its activities in 2007 or Dhani-Maia disbanded”, he said in his typical cocky manner.

Asked whether his decision was due to his concern that the ever increasing popularity of Ratu will eventually overshadow Dewa, he predictably answered, “for me Ratu is nothing, it is I who created Ratu. It’s in different class altogether compared with Dewa.”

Coming from him, such arrogance, controversy, over-confidence and blatant expression is not surprising for us. And yet most of the people I know, can understand his style. They still hate him, but they can understand him. Why? He is a genius and successful artist. And a genius has the privilege to be cocky because he has proved that he’s above the rest of us, mere mortal beings—at least in music.

I’m not going to argue with that. But I have to admit that Dhani is different. He might be politically incorrect by requiring his wife to stay at home. And the way he conveys his message doesn’t help either. But at least he has the honesty to say it loud. Good publicity be damn, he always pours his thought out on every topics anyone dare to ask.

Look, how many of those artists have the guts to say something like that to the media. Most only say: "yes we have a problem, but we’re trying to work it out". Or if it’s a split: "we have irrevocable differences we can’t sort out". Less savvy ones: "no comment" or "none of your business". And a well-rehearsed answers when being asked about fellow musician: "they’re good musicians too, but our fans / segments / music styles are different".

C’mon, you’re all artists. We love to hear controversies from you, so cut the crap and give us juicy gossips. And in you’re world being nice is not the norm, so why all this courtesy? We crave for bad news--about you of course. Our ordinary life is full of s**t, we’d like to hear rich and beautiful people like you occasionally have problems too. Just to remind us that you’re not perfect and there’s justice in this world after all.

But of course nobody wants to look like the bad guy / gal. There’s the Azharis with their expressive expletive but they simply don’t have the brain style. Dhani easily outclass them, that’s why we love to hate him. He will not hide behind trivial reasons. He talks, lives and does everything the way he likes it. And by doing that, he avoids mediocrity. For sure, Dhani is the epitome of a real man.

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