WITH HELP FROM ABRAHAM KEVIN
Ben Utomo has love on the mind with “Izinkan” (“Allow”), the latest single from the Indonesian hip-hop artist, which will be released by Def Jam Indonesia to all digital platforms on November 13, 2020. The song also features up-and-coming singer Abraham Kevin, who first came to fame in 2018 as a finalist on Indonesian Idol.
The third track released by Ben since signing with Def Jam Indonesia, “Izinkan” showcases a softer side of the rapper with a laidback R&B flavor that contrasts with the harder edge of “Itu Selalu” and the bittersweet “Mama Knows”. “Izinkan” sees Ben in romantic mode, where he flirts with his love interest while rapping lyrics that are full of wordplay yet easy to understand as he switches between Indonesian and English with an ease that reflects his growing up in Los Angeles and Jakarta. “I chose this theme because I wanted to show a different side of Ben Utomo. A sensitive side of Ben Utomo, that everyone also has,” he says. “It’s a simple usual love story that I’m sure many people can relate to and have been through before.”
Produced by Leztey, “Izinkan” quickly came together from scratch. “I already knew I wanted to make a song but I didn’t know what kind of song. So I just decided to head straight into the studio and go from there,” says Ben. “As soon as I arrived, I instantly found the vibe and we put this together in just a few hours.”
“Izinkan” also features Abraham Kevin, the Indonesian Idol alumnus who co-wrote the song and adds his soulful voice to the mix. “I’ve known Kevin for a long time and we’ve had plans to make a song together for a while, and I felt that this was the perfect one to feature him on,” says Ben. “He has the perfect voice to deliver what I’m trying to say on this song. He really brings out the soul on this collaboration.”
Overall, “Izinkan” solidifies Ben Utomo’s status as one of the most versatile hip-hop artists in Indonesia, and builds excitement for his upcoming new album that will drop in 2021 – but the man himself remains humble. “I don’t really have any expectations for this track, I just want people to relate to what I’m saying,” he says.