4 hours ago
8
February 25, 2025 | 08:39 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In the music world, artists' creations provide constant enjoyment for listeners and fans. However, the role of music critics, those who assess and review music, should not overlooked. While many offer their perspectives, Anthony Fantano has emerged as a prominent figure in online music criticism. So, who is Anthony Fantano?
Here is a brief introduction to Anthony Fantano, drawing insights from SportsKeeda.
Who is Anthony Fantano?
Anthony Fantano is one of the most well-known and influential figures in music criticism. Widely recognized for his YouTube channel, The Needle Drop and Fantano, the American YouTuber has carved a niche for himself as a prominent voice in music reviews and discussions, with over 4.5 million subscribers combined on both channels.
Beyond YouTube, Fantano is active on other social media platforms, including Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Twitch, where he continues to share music-related content and engage with his audience. He also shares reviews and critiques across a wide range of genres on his music website, theneedledrop.com.
Due to his influence, he has earned the nickname “The Internet’s Busiest Music Nerd,” and was even dubbed the “only music critic that matters” by The New York Times in 2020.
Anthony Fantano’s Critique of Sukatani’s Censorship
As Fantano’s critiques span across all genres of music, and his recent commentary centered around the censorship of the Indonesian electro-punk band, Sukatani, has gained lots of attention.
Amidst concerning conditions in Indonesia, the band’s 2023 song "Bayar, Bayar, Bayar" has recently become a viral hit, resonating with the sentiments of the Indonesian public. The song explicitly suggests that in Indonesia, bribery is necessary for smooth transactions, from obtaining a driver's license to dealing with prison matters, sparking widespread controversy.
Consequently, the band released an apology video on their Instagram @sukatani.band on February 20, 2025, revealing their faces—a departure from their previously anonymous identity. But, the matter doesn’t end there, as the song was taken down from all music platforms, including Spotify. This led to discussions about the suppression of freedom of expression in Indonesia, which quickly spread across social media and international news.
Anthony Fantano, also active on X as @theneedledrop, came across the news about the censorship and quoted it with, “censorship in the midst of a band speaking out against police corruption: NOT GOOD.”
Recent reports revealed that the band had been approached to become ambassadors for the Indonesian National Police by Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, with the hope that they could help prevent misconduct within the police force.
On February 23, 2025, Sukatani returned to the stage at Crowd Noise in Tegal, Central Java, following the polemic. The band performed six songs, but "Bayar, Bayar, Bayar" was not among them.
Ultimately, as evidenced by the concert crowds and social media interactions, Sukatani still has strong support from the public, including from American music critic Anthony Fantano.
Editor's Choice: Police Probe 6 Central Java Officers on Alleged Intimidation Against Punk Band Sukatani
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
TNI Probes Soldiers Involved in Tarakan Police Headquarters Attack
1 jam lalu
Commander of the VI/Mulawarman Military Command, Major General Rudy Rachmat Nugraha, responds to the alleged attack on the Tarakan Regional Police headquarters by TNI troops.
Komnas HAM to Request Police Statement on Sukatani Song Censorship
5 jam lalu
Komnas HAM will take several steps in response to allegations of intimidation against the punk band from Purbalingga, Sukatani.
North Sumatra Police Seize 97 Kg of Meth and 2K Ecstasy Pills in 25 Drug Busts
10 jam lalu
Authorities arrested 37 suspects of drug trafficking, seizing 97.08 kilograms of methamphetamine, 38 grams of marijuana, and 2,180 ecstasy pills.
SUKATANI Music Censorship, DKJ: Stop Restricting Artistic Works
14 jam lalu
The police are urged to stop restricting artistic works. The Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ) responds to the ban of the music band SUKATANI.
Sukatani Returns to the Stage Without 'Pay the Police' Song, LBH Semarang: They're Still Recovering
15 jam lalu
The band Sukatani finally performed on stage after apologizing for their 'pay the police' song. They are still in a recovery period, says LBH Semarang
Police Probe 6 Central Java Officers on Alleged Intimidation Against Punk Band Sukatani
1 hari lalu
The Indonesian National Police's Professionalism and Security Division (Propam Polri) is still investigating 6 police personnel from the Central Java Regional Police over allegations of intimidation against the Sukatani band.
Police Still Assessing 46 Indonesian Victims of Human Trafficking Who Returned from Myanmar
1 hari lalu
The National Police are still assessing 46 Indonesian citizens who were repatriated to Indonesia from Myanmar, victims of human trafficking.
Novi SUKATANI Fired, Regent of Purbalingga Offers to Facilitate Her as Teacher Again
2 hari lalu
Regent of Purbalingga, Fahmi Muhammad Hanif, offers assistance to Novi Citra, the vocalist of SUKATANI who was fired from her teaching position in Banjarnegara.
Police Nab 1XBet Member Who Spends Rp5bn Monthly for Online Gambling
3 hari lalu
Police have arrested agents and operators of the 1XBet online gambling in the operating area of Indonesia. Billions of rupiah have been confiscated.
Today's Top 3 News: Expert Slams Prabowo's Meeting with Supreme Court Judges, Sees It as Intervention
3 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today, February 22, 2025.
