Indonesian talent is gaining global attention with the debut of no na, the new girl group under international label 88rising. In just six months since their debut, the group has already made a mark on the Asian music scene.
Beyond K-pop, several Asian countries are producing successful acts, including BINI, XG, and SB19, all of which have built sizable fanbases.
Although Indonesia has yet to produce a band with worldwide recognition, no na is changing that. Their songs are being embraced widely and have even been covered and danced to by K-pop stars like IVE’s Rei, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, and KATSEYE’s Sophia.
no na Formation and Debut
While no na is relatively young, their story began in December 2022 during the Head in the Clouds Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia—the first time the festival was held in Asia. Members Christy, Baila, and Shaz first met at the festival, sharing “quick, tepid handshakes,” as they joked in a Billboard interview. While Christy and Shaz had dance backgrounds, Baila was pursuing a solo music career at the time, having competed in Indonesian Idol Junior. Six months later, Esther, a former contestant on Indonesian Idol Season 10, joined the group.
In the same interview, Esther shared, “That’s when we started spending every single day together,” and revealed that the no na members instantly bonded. Baila added, “Indonesians are pretty easygoing” so they had no trouble getting along, even from the beginning.
All four were scouted by 88rising, but initially didn’t realize the opportunity came from the label. Esther recalled laughing, “We didn’t know that she was from 88,” and added, “They just mentioned, ‘Would you like to be part of a global girl group?’ That kind of scared us at first.” Shaz joked, “We stalked her,” before realizing it was a legitimate offer to form a global girl group and relocate to Los Angeles, which they did in 2024.
Finding a name was another challenge. After considering over 200 options, the group chose no na, inspired by the Indonesian word “nona”, meaning “miss” or “young lady.” As they explained, the name reflects both their cultural identity and international aspirations.
Meet the no na Members
Christy Denial Christian Gardena (25), the oldest no na member, hails from Mataram, Indonesia. Trained in professional ballet from a young age, she also worked as a dance coach, making choreography one of her strongest skills.
Esther Geraldine Simanjuntak (24), from West Jakarta and Bali, gained fame by finishing in the top 17 of Indonesian Idol Season 10 and had released solo work, including the song Rarity. She also collaborated with Dipha Barus and Afgan on Keep It Hush.
Baila Shaquanda Fauri (23), from Jakarta, previously competed in Indonesian Idol Junior and released solo singles such as 3 Dots and Eye to Eye. Since she has a solid background in songwriting, she contributes both singing and dance skills to the group.
Shazfa Adesya Zahra (22), the youngest member, built a following with viral dance videos and strong vocals. She graduated from the University of New South Wales in Sydney with a degree in Public Relations and Advertising. Together, the four members offer a combination of vocal talent, performance skills, and stage charisma.
Music Style and Releases
no na’s music blends R&B, pop, jazz, and reggae and draws inspiration from classic artists like Diana Ross, Janet Jackson, SWV, and TLC, as well as contemporary stars such as Victoria Monét and Flo. Their debut single, “Shoot”, highlighted vocal harmonies and strong choreography. On the other hand, the second single, “Superstitious”, leaned into pop, and told the music world that no na is not sticking to one genre. Their third single, “Sad Face :(”, released on August 29, 2025, continued to define their unique sound.
On July 10, 2025, they released their debut EP, Orchids (Lullabies), featuring four solo tracks—one for each member—and the group song “Bleach”.
Live Performances and Cultural Representation
no na made their live debut at Head in the Clouds: L.A. in May 2025, celebrating their move from Jakarta to Los Angeles. Their music videos, including the visually striking video for “Shoot”, were filmed in Indonesia, and their lyrics often incorporate Indonesian phrases. The group emphasizes representing their country to a global audience while blending contemporary pop and R&B sounds.
