What is your name and role within Ramengvrl?
I’m Putri and i rap/sing/perform under the alias Ramengvrl.
How did you start?
I’ve always loved expressing myself through words. I had like 10 diary books documenting my life during junior high until college. One day i was really stressed out with my thesis so i made a silly track about it (using Audacity) and people loved it. After that i started uploading demo’s on Soundcloud for fun until the local hip hop community started to notice me, but it was when i joined Underground Bizniz Club (a Jakarta-based hip hop collective) that everything just kind of snowballed until now.
Where are you based?
Jakarta, Indonesia.
Please give an example of your music writing process?
Pretty standard. My formula: beat-flow-theme-lyrics. Usually i just start to mumble when i hear a new beat until it sounds good to me, ‘coz personally i think flows and notes are the most important part of a song—words are important too of course, but it’s how it sounds that make people wanna listen to your stuff in the first place. Only by then i start to lay a couple of bars and the overall theme just kind of evolve around it.
What are you working on right now?
I’m about to release my official 2nd single which is produced by Jarreau Vandal (from Soulection), also doing a few other collabs with local acts such as Gbrand, Nayaka, Feast, and Dipha Barus. I’m also currently preparing for my performance at We The Fest—kind of like Indonesia’s own Coachella. Oh and “I’m Da Man” MV is to be released this month so yeah been a lil’ busy but it’s been really fun. I’m just enjoying every single process.
What is your gear setup?
Super basic. My go-to equipment is AT2020 mic, Xenyx 302USB mixer, and.. Garageband. I don’t feel like i should upgrade to a more widely used DAW at the moment. I think right now it’s more important to upgrade the quality of my music and performance rather than breaking the bank to cop these premium stuffs.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
I like reading young adult fiction books. One of my fave is Haruki Murakami. He has this gift to bring out emotions and meanings in mundane things. At the same time though, my Tumblr likes is full of pretty weird stuffs, so it’s just the best of both worlds. Oh and Netflix and chill for life. I’m a simple gal.
How would you describe your music genre?
Inappropriate Asian girl on drugs. LOL i really don’t know. People say i’m new school, new wave hip hop, asian drill (wtf is that), or even “female version of Rich Chigga”, but i never assign myself to a specific genre ‘coz for me it’s limiting.
Do you know any music theory?
Like what?
What are your plans for the future?
Work on an EP, make a girl scout, and buy useless stuffs without worrying. In the far future, i’d like to have a side music project that isn’t hip hop—i’m actually pretty experimental and the tracks that i’ve released are just like 20% of my mind.
How did you get into music?
I’ve always known i have a knack for music, but to be honest i didn’t have the courage to actually dive in to this world before. I mean it’s full of people with tattoos and i’m just this girl who had weird hair and weird clothes and didn’t know how to bro-shake. That’s why i’ve been ghosting on the people who gave me opportunities, but luckily, UBC was pretty persistent, so by the 3rd time they approached me, i was finally ready.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Anything, but Utada Hikaru always stands out with her versatility. She’s my forever muse. And currently back to back with Run The Jewels. Stuffs that are not mumble rap.
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
Nicki Minaj, Utada Hikaru, Kanye West, Big Sean, and i like Grimes’ vibes.
When are you playing next?
We The Fest this August.
Please feel free to include any extra info.
Please don’t separate the “ramen” from the “gvrl” on writing. Thank you.
