Tenxi does not care what you think. The 25-year-old Indonesian born rapper, who has topped charts across countries said it best himself, “I can do good or bad and everyone would still talk, so what if I just do whatever I like and see where it goes from there.”
And that approach of living life entirely on his own terms has clearly worked. Garam Madu hit 200 million streams earlier this year, marking his breakout moment, followed by Kasih Aba Aba and Menjikuhibiniu. His debut album Puting Beliung sat at top 10 on Spotify Indonesia for weeks. And somewhere between all of that, he founded Anti Normal, a collective-turned-community now home to names like SuiSei, Naykilla, and Jemsii. So maybe doing “whatever” really does get you somewhere.
When Tenxi talks about his music, his fame, or even himself, he does it so candidly, with the confidence that only comes from knowing who you are — or, at least, being unbothered if you don’t. He scrolls through fan-made memes of himself on Instagram, laughing as he shows them off, before casually dropping a line about how the life he’s living now is the creation from the dreams of his past self. That duality, between humour and introspection, feels very of-the-moment.
In many ways, Tenxi mirrors how Gen Z moves through the world in 2025: ironic but sincere, aware but detached, chasing something bigger yet trusting it’ll come when it’s meant to.“I was a chef. Then a jockey,” he says. “I used to watch artists perform in stadiums and think, that will be me someday. Even when I was living in a two-room apartment with eight boys, I knew I would make it. I manifested it, I believed it, and then I worked for it. And now here I am.”
That word, manifestation, has become a generational language. With 2.2 million videos on TikTok posted to #manifesting, tweets and youtube videos on the best tips and tricks so ‘your thoughts create your own reality’ — it seems like this concept that is closely tied to self help and spirituality has evolved into something of a shared faith among this generation.
You could say that it’s a way to hold on to hope, to make meaning in the uncertainty of our early 20s. But for Tenxi, it’s a way of how he lives his life, with the belief that if he plants the seed of his ambition and keeps moving with purpose, life will eventually catch up to his vision.
To understand what that life now looks like for the young artist who went from juggling several part-time jobs to performing shows in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia, the best way was to simply hang out with him and catch up. So we met where he would feel most himself outside of music, while playing games at an arcade.
Introduce yourself as authentically as you can.
I’m Tenxi. I love music. I love games.I love girls.
You call yourself an Anak Warnet (Cyber Stall Kids). What does that mean ?
You just brought back some memories. Warnet is a spot where people rent cheap computers, usually to play games. It’s simply short for “warung internet” (internet shop). And “anak warnet” means “cyber kids,” and yes I would say I was one of those growing up. I used to save up just to spend hours there playing with my friends.
Sounds like you have had a lot of good times there. Do you still play games today?
Not as much as before, but I still love my games. What’s crazy is most of the people I make music with now, I met on Discord while playing Roblox, Valorant, or League of Legends.
Current favourite game?
Horror games on Roblox. I was once a Roblox streamer.
We heard that you also get your style inspiration from your Roblox avatar…
I do. I was customising it one day and thought, that’s my twin. Why don’t I just dress like this? These days that’s what I look like. I think I already have my starter pack: chunky shoes, baggy jeans, a backpack, a simple T-shirt, and a tooth gem.
Since you are so into gaming, were you ever a Discord mod?
Nah man, that’s too far [laughs]. I could never. But everyone and their mom was on Discord during the pandemic, so I was there too. I met some of the Anti Normal boys through FPS games, and I met Jemsii there as well.
That’s crazy! to know someone through a video game and eventually making chart – topping hits together.
Right? It’s something I think about all the time. SuiSei was my “idol” back then because he was one of the few who brought emo-rap to Indonesia. I wouldn’t have guessed that four years later we’d be working on tracks together. Fun fact, he unfollowed during the COVID-19 pandemic [laughs]. Valid though,
we barely knew each other.
You mentioned the collective Anti Normal. What exactly does it mean to be Anti Normal?
You can tell from the name, we don’t want to be normal. Anti Normal is a collective: there’s Naufal, Naykilla, Ryo, Jemsii, SuiSei, Dia, and so many others, including producers and behind-the-scenes people. Around 20 of us now. The idea is to experiment, bring new sounds to Indonesia, and make something that is proudly ‘Made in Indonesia’.
Why “Anti Normal”?
We talk about not-normal things and share not-normal dreams. Also because everyone is so different from each other. I hate friend groups where everyone dresses and acts the same. That feels fake and seems like everyone has to be a certain way to fit in. In our collective, every person has their own genre and style. I always tell them, “you’re the main character of your own life, don’t copy anyone else.”
Then what would you say is the least normal thing you’ve ever done?
I got one. I don’t know if this is “not normal,” but me and the boys… we record naked [laughs]. When we are in the studio, we get naked. It’s freedom, bro. You gotta be free to make music.
Was it the same when you recorded Mejikuhibiniu, the single you released this June? It hit 100 million streams in just three months.
Every time. Menjikuhibiniu is one of my favourites. Fun fact: the title is a mashup of the colours of the rainbow in Bahasa Indonesia (Merah, Jingga, Kuning, Hijau, Biru, Ungu). I use it to describe that feeling you get when you see someone so beautiful your brain just turns into a rainbow. I also purposely shifted the song from dancey at the start and transitioned to mellow towards the end to portray the mixed emotions you would get when put in those situations.
It’s interesting you said that. You also love blending genres, right?
Yeah. When I say I love music, I mean it in every form. As an artist, I’ve done pluggnb, pop rock, even hip dut. As a listener, I listen to everything. People who box themselves into one thing end up missing out on what they could become. I never wanna be that guy.
What’s a song you have been listening to lately?
FaSHioN by CORTIS. That song’s so good.
Your identity as an Indonesian always comes through in your music. Is that intentional?
It’s natural, I think. I’m Indonesian, so that’s always gonna be in me. But I have always wanted to make something that is culturally close to home and still connects globally. I’m glad HipDut is getting recognised now, with Dangdut sounds still being carried by this generation. My song Bayangno Awakmu has full Javanese lyrics — and you know me, I always say it, I’m the #prettiestjawir.
You just came from performing in South By Southwest in Sydney. How did that feel?
Unreal. Performing overseas has always been one of my dreams, I manifested that.
Manifesting. Is that your thing?
Oh hell yeah. Not like rituals or anything, but when I want something, I dream it, work for it, and trust it’ll find me. What’s wild is that I always get more than what I asked for. I’m grateful for that. You all need to get on this manifesting game, and create the life you want.
Share one affirmation you always tell yourself.
“Wait, I’m so goated…”
Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up. How did you get out of that?
I have been making music since I was 15, back in high school. It’s only now, at 25, that I’m seeing the results. Looking back, I think the reason I never quit was because I always knew I would make it in music. I already knew this life was waiting for me, so I stayed patient. Too many people give up too early. If I had quit even a few months before Garam Madu blew up, I wouldn’t be here right now doing what I love.
We are wrapping up this shoot. Pick one song from your album that best describes this moment.
Berubah. It’s fun but chill as hell. While we were shooting, I got thinking about how far I’ve come, and it’s crazy to think that it has only been a year.
Last one, a word of advice for those still manifesting their dream life.
Trust yourself and always find a way to make things happen.
Production Crew Credits
Interview Asha Farisha
Photography Joe Ng
Styling Manfred Lu
Grooming & Hair Eranthe Loo
Photography Assistant Zachary Llewelyn
Styling Assistant Asha Farisha, Aqil Karlzafri