Rich Brian

Born in Jakarta in 1999, Brian Imanuel Soewarno, better known as Rich Brian, first emerged online through comedic videos before turning to English-language rap while in Indonesia, later joining the 88rising collective and relocating to the United States. Under the moniker Rich Chigga, he broke out in 2016 with the track "Dat $tick," then permanently adopted the name Rich Brian in 2017, signaling a shift in both his image and his lyricism. Rich Brian’s debut album, "Amen" (2018), laid the groundwork for a hip-hop style that blends trap, melodic rap, and R&B touches, marked by a measured flow and a strong sense of storytelling. "The Sailor" (2019) delves into a more introspective mode, exploring themes of identity, migration, and success from the perspective of the Asian diaspora. He followed with the EP "1999" (2020) and then "Brightside" (2022), where pop influences and a lighter production became more pronounced, all while continuing to collaborate regularly with fellow artists in the 88rising ecosystem and performing on international stages.