By weaving the soul of gamelan into a Disney classic, NIKI puts Indonesian heritage on the global stage—one viral note at a time.
When NIKI released her soulful cover of Phil Collins' ‘You’ll Be in My Heart,’ the world didn’t just hear a Disney classic—they heard the echo of Java, the hum of Bali, and the rhythm of Indonesia’s ancestral spirit.
The track, initially a quiet release, unexpectedly blossomed into a global phenomenon nearly two years later, propelled by viral trends and resonating deeply with listeners from Jakarta to New York.
Get To Know Indonesian Fenomenal Singer, NIKI
Nicole Zefanya, known professionally as NIKI, has carved a unique path in the global music scene.
Born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, she nurtured her musical talents from a young age, eventually moving to the United States and becoming a prominent artist under the banner of 88rising, a label celebrated for amplifying Asian voices in Western music spheres.
Her cover of ‘You’ll Be in My Heart’—a song originally penned by Phil Collins for Disney’s 1999 animated film Tarzan and an Academy Award winner for Best Original Song—was more than just a rendition; it became an intimate expression of identity, subtly infused with the sounds of her homeland.
While initially released in September 2022, the cover embarked on an unexpected journey, finding viral fame in early 2025 and ultimately showcasing the enchanting allure of Indonesian gamelan to a worldwide audience.
The Genesis: Reimagining a Classic
NIKI’s rendition of “You’ll Be in My Heart” was released on September 14, 2022, as part of the Spotify Singles program, where artists are invited to creatively reinterpret songs. In this cover, NIKI integrates elements of Indonesian gamelan, bringing a unique cultural layer to the Disney classic.
Raised in Jakarta, NIKI was immersed in music early on, influenced by her mother’s church singing and learning guitar at nine. Her major break came in 2014 when, at just 15, she opened for Taylor Swift’s Red Tour in Jakarta.
She later studied music at Lipscomb University in Nashville, which led her to join the 88rising label, home to other Asian artists like Rich Brian.
Describing herself as a “cultural mutt,” NIKI often speaks about the complexities of growing up in Indonesia while attending an English-speaking school.
Ironically, moving to the U.S. deepened her connection to her Indonesian roots, inspiring her to embrace and represent her heritage through music.
In her 2024 Telkomsel Awards interview, she shared her desire to use gamelan’s pelog scale in her music, calling it beautiful, sensual, and elegant. This subtle inclusion reflects her effort to blend tradition with modern pop, representing Southeast Asian identity on a global stage.
NIKI’s creative choices highlight her love for Asia and her belief in the power of representation. Her cover becomes more than just a reinterpretation—it’s a personal and cultural statement, proving how Southeast Asian sounds can resonate in mainstream music.
The Sound: Weaving Gamelan into Disney
What sets NIKI’s cover apart is the subtle inclusion of gamelan, Indonesia’s traditional ensemble music, especially from Java and Bali. This ancient musical form is deeply woven into the nation’s cultural and spiritual fabric.
Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, gamelan dates back to the 8th century, with depictions found on Borobudur temple reliefs. The ensemble features percussive instruments like metallophones, gongs, gong-chimes, and drums, often joined by flutes and strings.
Gamelan is performed by people of all ages and genders, typically during rituals, ceremonies, theater, and celebrations. It’s more than performance—it's a form of emotional and communal expression.
In NIKI’s version, gamelan doesn’t dominate but adds a delicate, ambient texture. Its metallic tones and rhythmic layering enhance the song’s R&B softness, giving it a reflective, melancholic tone—something that resonated deeply with audiences, especially on platforms like TikTok.
Going Viral: The TikTok Takeover
Though released in 2022, NIKI’s cover of “You’ll Be in My Heart” found viral success in early 2025, becoming a classic “sleeper hit” thanks to TikTok. The song was used in over 293,800 videos, often accompanying emotional and creative content, including trending edits of the K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines.
Its viral spread caught the attention of fan forums like Reddit and led to a surge in popularity on streaming platforms. By April 2025, the song topped the Billboard Indonesia Songs chart and climbed into Spotify’s Global Top 20—a historic milestone for an Indonesian artist.
The track reached over 65 million Spotify streams by mid-April, and NIKI’s monthly listeners rose from 13.2 million to 14.5 million, solidifying her as Indonesia’s most-streamed global artist.
The success stems from NIKI’s emotional performance, combined with the atmospheric layer of gamelan, giving the song a unique, ethereal quality that set it apart from other pop covers.
Resonance: From Indonesia to the Global Stage
NIKI’s cover struck a deep chord in Indonesia and among its diaspora, celebrated as a milestone moment for Indonesian music on the world stage. Her Spotify Global Top 30/20 entry was seen as a historic national achievement.
Fans praised the track not only for its emotional beauty but also for its subtle embrace of Indonesian identity through gamelan. Local and global media highlighted the cultural pride it sparked.
International audiences were equally moved, drawn to the song’s haunting sound and heartfelt delivery. As an artist with Indonesian roots and global reach via 88rising, NIKI bridged cultures with authenticity.
Her success shows how traditional elements like gamelan, when blended with popular formats, can reach global listeners. NIKI’s cover proves music can be a powerful tool for modern cultural storytelling.
