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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Young and talented—those two words perfectly describe Voice Of Baceprot (VOB), an Indonesian all-female metal band consisting of three hijab-wearing musicians.
They’ve captured the spotlight not just for their appearance but for defying stereotypes—bringing heavy metal, a genre known for its raw intensity, to a stage where few expect to see hijabi women rocking out.
But, VOB is more than just their look or genre. The trio—Marsya, Widi, and Siti—are dedicated artists who have worked relentlessly to pursue the things they are passionate about.
Their journey has taken them beyond Indonesia, earning them a place on the international stage and even landing them a role as the Global Brand Ambassadors for Vans, one of the world’s most iconic sneaker brands.
A Brief Intro to Voice Of Baceprot
As mentioned earlier, Voice Of Baceprot is a three-membered Indonesian rock band that consists of Marsya (vocals and guitar), Widi (bass), and Siti (drums). Their music is renowned for its powerful energy and deep lyrics that often carry strong messages.
The trio’s journey in the music industry traces back to the year 2014 when Marsya, Widi, and Siti were still Islamic Junior High School (Madrasah Tsanawiyah) students in Singajaya, Garut, West Java.
They were once active members of the school’s theater club, but it was their teacher Cep Ersa Ekasusila Satia, familiarly known as Abah Erza, who drew them into the realm of heavy metal, as well as taught them how to work with musical instruments.
They soon gathered to form their own band, naming it "baceprot," which translates to ‘noisy’ in Sundanese—a reflection of their loud, energetic style. They started out by covering songs from their favorite bands, including Slipknot, Rage Against the Machine, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The path to success, by default, wasn’t easy, and this, too, applied to the trio. After debuting, they faced heavy criticism for their involvement in metal music—a genre often seen as inappropriate for women, let alone hijabi musicians. But, instead of backing down, they used music as a way to express their struggles, performing in various festivals across West Java and beyond.
In 2017, while still in school, their performance of their original song "The Enemy of Earth Is You" went viral. This led to their massive popularity and appearances on national television, international media like The Guardian, and various music festivals across Indonesia. The following year, they released their debut single, "School Revolution," a thrash-metal track that showcased both their musical skills and songwriting abilities.
At the end of the day, what truly sets VOB apart is its fearlessness in addressing social issues, hence gaining attention from local and international audiences. Their lyrics, sung in English and Sundanese, often challenge patriarchy and societal norms. Criticism doesn’t seem to bother the trio and they’ve stayed true to their mission of using music as a platform for change.
VOB’s Achievements
Marsya, Widi, and Siti’s accomplishments in the entertainment industry are not limited to their appearances on the global stage; this also includes their names being listed in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024.
Performing at Top Music Festivals
Before making waves internationally, VOB was already a familiar name in Indonesia’s music scene. They made appearances at major events like Synchronize Fest, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (2017), and Ancol Beach Festival (2019).
In August 2022, they performed at Wacken Open Air, one of the world’s most significant metal festivals, sharing the stage with Judas Priest, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, and As I Lay Dying.
Then in June 2024, VOB took things to the next level by performing at the Glastonbury Festival in England, yet another prestigious music festival across the globe. They stood alongside global icons like Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Avril Lavigne.
Featured in The New York Times & Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024
Before their England debut, The New York Times featured the VOB members in an article entitled "From a Heavy Metal Band in Hijabs, a Message of Girl Power." The piece highlighted how their success influences aspiring young women, proving that age, gender, and religion are not barriers to pursuing dreams.
In 2024, the band was also listed in 'Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia', joining other talented young Indonesians like singer Mahalini Raharja and entrepreneur Oktorika Mandasari.
Marsya in BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women
Marsya, VOB’s vocalist and guitarist, was recognized as one of BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women. As an artist, Marsya is not all about her powerful voice; one should also appreciate her boldness in challenging gender and cultural norms through music.
About Becoming Global Brand Ambassadors for Vans
Recently, VOB became the global brand ambassador for Vans, one of the most well-known sneaker brands. As Stereogum reported, they became the ambassadors for a new Warped Tour-inspired capsule collection, where they showcased Vans Old Skool sneakers.
For the members themselves, these sneakers symbolize more than just fashion—they represent self-expression. As young Muslim women, they’ve constantly encountered expectations about how they should behave, think, and even dress. Through music, however, they continue to break barriers and inspire change.
Fani Ramadhani, Hanin Marwah, Putri Safira Pitaloka, and Salsabilla Azzahra Octavia, contributed to the writing of this article.
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