Indo Semar Records

Indo Semar Records, also known as IS Records, is an Indonesian record label and music distributor based in Jakarta. Founded in 1970 by Iwan Sutadi Sidarta as a music kiosk in the Lokasari area of Jakarta, the company initially offered compilation CD services to customers. Over the decades, it grew into one of Indonesia's largest record label networks, with seven sub-labels: King's Records, Granada Records, Billboard Indonesia, Bulletin Records, Aruna Records, Taurus Records, and Dynasty Records. The company operates as PT Indo Semar Sakti and has been publicly branded as Indo Semar Records since 2018. IS Records holds licenses for international music, having secured exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and sell products from foreign record companies in Indonesia. Notable releases include Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" (1991), which sold 300,000 cassettes and won a Quadruple Platinum Award, and Backstreet Boys' 1996 album, which sold 225,000 cassettes and earned a Triple Platinum Award. The label also produces domestic music, with artists such as Maribeth, who won an HDX Award in 1994, and NAIF, whose album "Jangan Terlalu Naif" received a Gold Award in 2000 for selling over 75,000 cassettes. Other past and present artists include Utha Likumahuwa, Yuni Shara, Ita Purnamasari, Junior, Plastik, Stinky, Netral, La Luna, Tiket, and many more. With nearly 50 years of activity, IS Records has contributed significantly to the Indonesian music industry, both by bringing international hits to local audiences and by nurturing domestic talent. The company remains privately held and continues to operate in Jakarta.

Indo Semar Records, legally known as PT Indo Semar Sakti, was founded in 1970 by Iwan Sutadi Sidarta in the Lokasari area of Jakarta. Initially, it operated as a music kiosk offering compilation CD services to customers. In the early years, before copyright regulations were strict, the company allowed music lovers to select songs for custom compilations or buy pre-made compilations. Iwan's task was to curate track lists likely to be popular, record each song from its respective album, and sell the compilations. The company even had its own factory to produce cassettes, CDs, and packaging before the industry shifted to digital. In 1975, ISS built its first studio in Pluit, North Jakarta. Six years later, it began managing its first artist, Utha Likumahuwa, with the album "Tersiksa Lagi" under the Granada Record label. During the 1980s and 1990s, ISS expanded into distribution and production. A key turning point came when Sony Music Entertainment sought a distributor to bring international music to Indonesia. Iwan Sutadi met with Sony representatives, and IS Records became an official licensee for foreign music. This allowed the company to distribute major international artists such as Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Julio Iglesias, and Backstreet Boys in Indonesia. In the 1990s and 2000s, IS Records solidified its dual business model: licensing international repertoire and producing domestic music. Notable successes include Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" (1991), which sold 300,000 cassettes and won a Quadruple Platinum Award, and Backstreet Boys' 1996 album, which sold 225,000 cassettes and earned a Triple Platinum Award. On the domestic front, Maribeth won an HDX Award in 1994, and NAIF's album "Jangan Terlalu Naif" received a Gold Award in 2000 for selling over 75,000 cassettes. The label has been home to numerous artists, including Yuni Shara, Ita Purnamasari, Junior, Plastik, Stinky, Netral, Naif, La Luna, Tiket, and many others. Since 2018, the company has been publicly known as Indo Semar Records. It operates seven sub-labels: King's Records, Granada Records, Billboard Indonesia, Bulletin Records, Aruna Records, Taurus Records, and Dynasty Records. With nearly 50 years of activity, IS Records remains a significant player in the Indonesian music industry, continuing to license international music and develop domestic talent.

• 2018

  Publicly rebranded as Indo Semar Records.

• 2000

  NAIF's album "Jangan Terlalu Naif" received Gold Award for selling over 75,000 cassettes.

• 1996

  Released Backstreet Boys album in Indonesia; sold 225,000 cassettes, won Triple Platinum Award.

• 1994

  Artist Maribeth won HDX Award.

• 1991

  Released Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" in Indonesia; sold 300,000 cassettes, won Quadruple Platinum Award.

• 1981

  Began managing first artist Utha Likumahuwa with album "Tersiksa Lagi" under Granada Record.

• 1975

  First studio built in Pluit, North Jakarta.

• 1970

  Founded by Iwan Sutadi Sidarta as a music kiosk in Lokasari, Jakarta.

Major Indonesian record label and international music licensee, bridging global hits and domestic talent.

• Michael Jackson - Dangerous (1991)

  Licensed release in Indonesia; sold 300,000 cassettes, Quadruple Platinum.

• Backstreet Boys (1996)

  Licensed release in Indonesia; sold 225,000 cassettes, Triple Platinum.

• NAIF - Jangan Terlalu Naif (2000)

  Domestic album; Gold Award for over 75,000 cassettes sold.

1. 1Indo Semar Records | Jakarta, Indonesia | PT. Indo Semar Saktiindosemarsakti.com
2. 2ABOUT US | Indo Semar Recordsindosemarsakti.com
3. 3Indo Semar Records - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Indo Semar Records - Wikipedia Indonesiaid.wikipedia.org