MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Rezky Ginting, better known as Kiki, a Communication Studies student at the University of North Sumatra (Universitas Sumatera Utara, USU), has embarked on his solo musical journey with his debut single, 'Till My Heart Gives Up'. Released on 11 September 2026, the song marks an important step in his efforts to establish a more personal musical identity beyond the band Afterclass.
Kiki blends Alternative Pop with Dream Pop, creating an atmospheric and melancholic sound. In his first solo release, he draws on personal experiences and memories of his secondary school years. These experiences inspire a song in which listeners can find reflections of their own life stories.
His decision to launch a solo project stemmed from a desire to develop musical ideas that had not been fully expressed within Afterclass's established sound. As a solo artist, he hopes to explore creative concepts more freely and develop a musical style that reflects his personality.
For Kiki, this marks the beginning of a new chapter. He was previously best known as the vocalist of Afterclass. In 2025, he also served as a student ambassador for USU. Despite his academic commitments and responsibilities within the student community, he is working to build an independent music career while keeping up with his studies.
Early Experiences as a Singer
Kiki's interest in music grew significantly in 2024, when he first tried his hand at singing at a wedding event. The experience gave him an opportunity to build confidence performing in front of an audience and further develop his vocal abilities.
These early experiences gradually inspired him to produce his own music. Kiki no longer wanted to stand on stage solely as a singer; he also wanted to express his thoughts and emotions through songs of his own creation.
During the creative process, he worked with a producer to bring musical ideas to life that had not fully fitted the band's existing sound. The collaboration helped him develop a more personal approach to songwriting, both in terms of arrangement and lyrics.
'Till My Heart Gives Up' gives Kiki room to explore his own musical identity. He combines elements of Alternative Pop with influences from Dream Pop, resulting in a gentle, atmospheric sound shaped by emotion.
Experiments with guitar effects also contribute to the song's distinctive sound. Meanwhile, the lyrics draw on personal experiences and memories of his secondary school years, a period that holds particular significance for him.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES INSPIRE HIS MUSIC: Kiki blends Alternative Pop and Dream Pop, drawing on experiences and memories of his secondary school years for the lyrics of his debut single. (PHOTO: Renara Publisher)
Personal Memories as a Source of Inspiration
For Kiki, personal experiences are among the most important sources of inspiration for songwriting. He transforms memories and emotions into stories that can be expressed through music. This allows listeners to discover their own meanings and interpret the song from their individual perspectives.
This approach is also part of his effort to build an emotional connection with his audience. Kiki does not want his songs merely to tell stories about his own feelings. Instead, he hopes they will accompany people through different moments in their lives.
This vision is reflected in his description of what he wants to achieve through his music.
"Kiki pengen karya-karya Kiki tuh bisa nemenin mereka di momen-momen tertentu", he said.
Through this statement, Kiki expresses his hope that his music will accompany people during significant moments in their lives. His songs may bring back memories of the past or help listeners understand emotions that are difficult to put into words. He therefore wants to create music that enables audiences to form a personal connection with the stories behind each song.
This personal approach provides an important foundation for Kiki's development as a solo artist. His music is intended to grow out of real experiences while leaving enough room for listeners to interpret the songs through the lens of their own lives and journeys.
KIKI DEVELOPS INDEPENDENT MUSIC PROJECTS: Kiki is building his solo career beyond Afterclass while balancing his musical activities with his studies and responsibilities as a USU student ambassador. (PHOTO: Renara Publisher)
Building an Independent Music Career
The production of 'Till My Heart Gives Up' was completed relatively quickly. According to Kiki, work on the song took approximately two weeks. Although the recording was finished within a relatively short period, preparing the release presented additional challenges.
After completing the recordings, Kiki had to manage several other tasks. These included designing the cover artwork, planning a music video, selecting a digital music distributor and calculating additional production costs. These responsibilities prompted him to explore the technical and organisational aspects of managing a music project in greater depth.
His experience demonstrates that building an independent music career requires more than creativity; it also demands careful planning. Musicians need to consider release strategies, promotion, budget management and ways to reach audiences through digital platforms.
As a student, Kiki must also divide his time between his studies, his responsibilities as a USU student ambassador and the development of his musical career. This situation requires him to set priorities while remaining committed to his creative projects.
Looking ahead, Kiki intends to explore Alternative Pop and Dream Pop in greater depth. Although these two genres form the starting point of his solo project, he remains open to other musical styles. This will allow him to broaden his creative possibilities and discover new forms of expression.
He also hopes that his musical journey will encourage other young people, particularly students, to try new things and continue developing their abilities. In his view, the desire to begin something new should not be held back by concerns about a lack of time, limited experience or the belief that an opportunity has already passed.
'Till My Heart Gives Up' has been available on various digital music platforms since 11 September 2026. For Kiki, the release represents not only an initial achievement but also a starting point for his continued development as a musician. Through future releases, he hopes to refine his distinctive style and strengthen his connection with his audience. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala