# Rich Brian
**Rich Brian** is the stage name of Brian Imanuel (born 1999), an Indonesian rapper, singer, producer, and actor from Jakarta who rose to fame as a teenager through the viral 2016 video for his single "Dat $tick" and became a central artist on the label and media company 88rising. He first performed under the name Rich Chigga, a portmanteau of "Chinese" and a racial slur, and rebranded as Rich Brian in January 2018 amid criticism of the name[1](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/rich-brian-amen/) • [2](https://time.com/6316666/88rising-head-in-the-clouds-china/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1999, Jakarta, Indonesia; ethnically Chinese Indonesian family[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rich-brian-mn0003560841) • [4](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/) |
| Breakout | "Dat $tick" (2016), a viral video showing him in a pink polo shirt and fanny pack; promoted with a reaction video featuring Ghostface Killah, 21 Savage, Flatbush Zombies, and Desiigner[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rich-brian-mn0003560841) • [4](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/) |
| Name change | Shed the Rich Chigga moniker at the start of 2018 amid criticism of appropriating an American racial slur[2](https://time.com/6316666/88rising-head-in-the-clouds-china/) |
| Debut album | *Amen* (February 2018), Top 20 on the Billboard 200, first album by an Asian artist to top the iTunes Hip-Hop charts[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rich-brian-mn0003560841) • [5](https://vmagazine.com/article/v-people-rich-brian/) |
| Later releases | *The Sailor* (2019), the *1999* EP (2020), the *Brightside* EP (2022), and *WHERE IS MY HEAD?* (2025)[6](https://twntythree.com/roster/rich-brian/) |
| Label | 88rising, which signed him within a week of "Dat $tick"'s February 2016 video debut[4](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/) |
| Milestones | One of the first Indonesian artists to play a solo headline set at Coachella (2022); 10 million monthly Spotify listeners that year[6](https://twntythree.com/roster/rich-brian/) |
## Early life and self-education
Imanuel grew up in Jakarta in an ethnically Chinese Indonesian family. From age 6 to about 10 he played drums in his family's [Christian rock](https://www.edgepedia.org/christian-rock) cover band, which performed almost entirely in malls; Christians make up about 10 percent of Indonesia's population[4](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/). He was homeschooled from the second grade, and after his parents stopped assigning homework he spent hours a day online, teaching himself English from YouTube videos, Twitter, and rap lyrics[4](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/) • [6](https://twntythree.com/roster/rich-brian/).
His entry into hip-hop came through Macklemore's "[Thrift Shop](https://www.edgepedia.org/thrift-shop)" in 2012, the first song he tried rapping along to; he has said that rapping quickly improved his spoken English because it forced him to talk fast[7](https://time.com/4532948/brian-imanuel-rich-chigga-jakarta-indonesia-rap-hiphop/). Before music, he built an online following with comedic Vines and YouTube shorts, including low-budget action videos with self-taught special effects[4](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/). He taught himself production on [FL Studio](https://www.edgepedia.org/fl-studio) by remaking songs such as "XO Tour Llif3" and "Hotline Bling" until his versions matched the originals[8](https://www.complex.com/music/a/shawn-setaro/rich-brian-interview).
## "Dat $tick" and the name change
"Dat $tick" was released in 2016, when Imanuel was 16. The video's appeal rested on a deliberate contrast: hard-edged trap lyrics and gun posing delivered by a teenager in a pink polo shirt and [fanny pack](https://www.edgepedia.org/fanny-pack), a costume he chose to "dress like a dad"[4](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/). His label, 88rising, commissioned a reaction video in which established American rappers including [Ghostface Killah](https://www.edgepedia.org/ghostface-killah) and Cam'ron reacted with praise, and Ghostface Killah later remixed the song[1](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/rich-brian-amen/) • [7](https://time.com/4532948/brian-imanuel-rich-chigga-jakarta-indonesia-rap-hiphop/).
The persona drew criticism as well as attention, particularly his use of the n-word and the slur embedded in his stage name. At the start of 2018 he rebranded as Rich Brian; *TIME* reports the change came amid criticism of appropriating an American racial slur[2](https://time.com/6316666/88rising-head-in-the-clouds-china/). He has since apologized for the racial slurs in his early lyrics[9](https://www.vice.com/en/article/rich-brian-on-his-growth-dreams-and-asian-identity/).
## Recording career
**Amen and The Sailor.** His debut album *Amen* arrived in February 2018 on 88rising, charted in the Top 20 of the Billboard 200, and featured Joji on "Introvert" and Migos' Offset on "Attention"[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rich-brian-mn0003560841). It topped the iTunes Hip-Hop charts, the first time an Asian artist had done so[5](https://vmagazine.com/article/v-people-rich-brian/). Imanuel produced or co-produced every song, describing the record as about 95 percent self-produced[1](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/rich-brian-amen/) • [8](https://www.complex.com/music/a/shawn-setaro/rich-brian-interview). Critics were mixed: Pitchfork found the album witty but technically uneven, noting he could "go long stretches without actually rhyming anything," while *The Guardian* described a dreamy, deadpan debut built on his deep voice and impassive flow[1](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/rich-brian-amen/) • [10](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/feb/02/rich-brian-amen-review-online-sensations-dreamy-deadpan-debut).
The single "Yellow" (2019) introduced his singing voice and led into his second album, *The Sailor*, released in July 2019 with appearances by Bekon, RZA, and Joji[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rich-brian-mn0003560841) • [6](https://twntythree.com/roster/rich-brian/). The album dealt with immigration and his Indonesian heritage, with lyrics addressing Asian identity, such as "Tell these Asian kids they could do what they want" on "Kids"[11](https://theglassmagazine.com/glass-talks-to-rising-hip-hop-star-rich-brian/) • [12](https://digilib.uinsgd.ac.id/116956/1/The%20Portrayal%20of%20Resistance%20in%20Rap%20Lyrics%20between%20Kendrick%20Lamar%20and%20Rich%20Brian%20%281%29.pdf).
**1999, Brightside, and mainstream crossover.** During pandemic isolation he wrote and produced most of the *1999* EP, released in August 2020 a week before his 21st birthday[6](https://twntythree.com/roster/rich-brian/) • [13](https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/rich-brian-new-ep-1999-Love-In-My-Pocket-DOA-Day6-Jae-BTS-88rising-interview-indonesia-k-pop-asia-regional-2020). Reviewers were cooler toward it than toward his earlier rap work, finding his singing strained and the pop-rap style derivative of artists like [Post Malone](https://www.edgepedia.org/post-malone) and [Swae Lee](https://www.edgepedia.org/swae-lee)[14](https://www.abovethebridgemusic.com/post/rich-brian-1999). In 2021 the bbno$ collaboration "Edamame" became his biggest radio hit, reaching the [Top 40](https://www.edgepedia.org/top-40) across North America, Europe, and Australasia and earning multi-platinum certification by 2022[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rich-brian-mn0003560841). He also appeared on the *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* soundtrack, including "Run It" with DJ Snake and Rick Ross, a collaboration he has called a career milestone[15](https://press.warnerrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014901/files/2022-11/RICH%20BRIAN%20DROPS%20A%20SURPRISE%20NEW%20EP%20BRIGHTSIDE.pdf) • [5](https://vmagazine.com/article/v-people-rich-brian/). The surprise four-track EP *Brightside* followed in January 2022; Pitchfork's review found him at his best in his silliest, most absurdist register, singling out "Getcho Mans" with fellow Indonesian rapper Warren Hue[16](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/rich-brian-brightside/).
**WHERE IS MY HEAD?** After a six-year gap between albums, he released his third album, *WHERE IS MY HEAD?*, on August 15, 2025 via 88rising[6](https://twntythree.com/roster/rich-brian/). He has described it as his most hands-on project, largely self-written and self-produced, with him playing synths and keyboards, sampling Indonesian music, and writing more vulnerable material, including a six-and-a-half-minute storytelling track called "Timezones"[17](https://www.somersaultmagazine.com/features/this-is-something-that-i-made-because-i-love-it-rich-brian-on-where-is-my-head-cultural-identity-and-embracing-collaboration).
## Representation and influence
As an Indonesian and Chinese-Indonesian artist rapping in English, Rich Brian has been described as a key figure for Asian representation in pop and rap[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rich-brian-mn0003560841). His visibility has raised hip-hop's profile in Indonesia, and he has said that major American rappers began receiving invitations to play Jakarta after his rise[4](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/). In 2022 he became one of the first Indonesian artists to play a solo headline set at Coachella[6](https://twntythree.com/roster/rich-brian/). He has also performed across Asia, including in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and South Korea, and has toured North America and Europe, with festival appearances at Bonnaroo and Rolling Loud[4](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/) • [15](https://press.warnerrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014901/files/2022-11/RICH%20BRIAN%20DROPS%20A%20SURPRISE%20NEW%20EP%20BRIGHTSIDE.pdf).
His career is closely tied to 88rising, the U.S.-based company founded by Sean Miyashiro that promotes Asian artists internationally; he signed within a week of "Dat $tick"'s debut and moved from Indonesia to the United States in 2017 at age 17[4](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/) • [6](https://twntythree.com/roster/rich-brian/). He has appeared at the label's Head in the Clouds festival, which has been held in Los Angeles, New York, Manila, Jakarta, and [Guangzhou](https://www.edgepedia.org/guangzhou)[2](https://time.com/6316666/88rising-head-in-the-clouds-china/).
## References
1. [Rich Brian: Amen Album Review, Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/rich-brian-amen/)
2. [88rising Brings Its 'Asian Coachella' to China's Notoriously Tricky Entertainment Scene, TIME](https://time.com/6316666/88rising-head-in-the-clouds-china/)
3. [Rich Brian Biography, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rich-brian-mn0003560841)
4. [Rich Brian Is Taking Over the World—or Is the World Taking Over Rich Brian?, Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/rich-brian-is-taking-over-the-worldor-is-the-world-taking-over-rich-brian/)
5. [V People: Rich Brian, V Magazine](https://vmagazine.com/article/v-people-rich-brian/)
6. [Rich Brian roster page, twnty three](https://twntythree.com/roster/rich-brian/)
7. [Meet Brian Imanuel, Alias Rich Chigga, the 17-Year-Old Indonesian Rapper Who Hacked the World, TIME](https://time.com/4532948/brian-imanuel-rich-chigga-jakarta-indonesia-rap-hiphop/)
8. [Exclusive: Rich Brian on His Controversial Past and What to Expect From Debut Album 'Amen', Complex](https://www.complex.com/music/a/shawn-setaro/rich-brian-interview)
9. [Rich Brian on His Growth, Dreams, and Asian Identity, Vice](https://www.vice.com/en/article/rich-brian-on-his-growth-dreams-and-asian-identity/)
10. [Rich Brian: Amen review, The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/feb/02/rich-brian-amen-review-online-sensations-dreamy-deadpan-debut)
11. [Glass talks to rising hip-hop star Rich Brian, The Glass Magazine](https://theglassmagazine.com/glass-talks-to-rising-hip-hop-star-rich-brian/)
12. [The Portrayal of Resistance in Rap Lyrics between Kendrick Lamar and Rich Brian](https://digilib.uinsgd.ac.id/116956/1/The%20Portrayal%20of%20Resistance%20in%20Rap%20Lyrics%20between%20Kendrick%20Lamar%20and%20Rich%20Brian%20%281%29.pdf)
13. [Rich Brian on stepping into adulthood with his latest EP 1999, Bandwagon](https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/rich-brian-new-ep-1999-Love-In-My-Pocket-DOA-Day6-Jae-BTS-88rising-interview-indonesia-k-pop-asia-regional-2020)
14. [REVIEW: Rich Brian - 1999, Above the Bridge Music](https://www.abovethebridgemusic.com/post/rich-brian-1999)
15. [Rich Brian Drops a Surprise New EP Brightside, Warner Records press release](https://press.warnerrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014901/files/2022-11/RICH%20BRIAN%20DROPS%20A%20SURPRISE%20NEW%20EP%20BRIGHTSIDE.pdf)
16. [Rich Brian: Brightside Album Review, Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/rich-brian-brightside/)
17. [Rich Brian on WHERE IS MY HEAD?, cultural identity and embracing collaboration, Somersault Magazine](https://www.somersaultmagazine.com/features/this-is-something-that-i-made-because-i-love-it-rich-brian-on-where-is-my-head-cultural-identity-and-embracing-collaboration)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music scenes › Transnational genre scenes › Hip hop scenes worldwide › Artists, groups, and people: Hip hop scenes worldwide › South and Southeast Asian rap*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 19, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license