Dian Ekawaty

Dian Ekawati Mappaselleng, often spelled Dian Ekawaty, is a celebrated Indonesian singer born on March 29, 1972, in Ujung Pandang, South Sulawesi. She is best known for her vibrant renditions of regional songs in Bugis, Makassar, Toraja, and Mandar languages, earning her the nickname "singer of four ethnicities" thanks to her album "Album 4 Etnis." Dian began her singing career with a major win as the best female singer at the Pioneer 1st Asian Laser Disc Karaoke Championships in Singapore in 1991 while still in high school. She is especially beloved in South Sulawesi for hits like "Mappadendang," "Indo' Logo," "Tana Ogi Wanuakku," and "Alosi Ripolo Dua." Beyond singing, she has worked as a radio announcer, voice actor, and politician. Despite facing challenges in establishing a national music presence in Jakarta, Dian remains a prominent figure in Indonesian regional music and media, with a career spanning from the early 1990s to the present.