Meet Michael Christian Santoso. He is an artist, influencer, and model. He believes that creativity should be experimental, hoping that his artistic capabilities come across as authentic to his audience and listeners around the world.

“My name is Michaelachel. I'm a singer, songwriter, music producer, and content creator from Indonesia. I've been doing music for a few years now.”

Since 2022, Michael has amassed over 5.5 million streams on Spotify alone, making his music career a valuable asset to his already creative arsenal. Combined with his social media presence, he has secured brand collaborations with Samsung and Mobile Legends, to name a few.

Outside of music, fashion is another passion of his—something he takes very seriously. "For me, fashion is the first impression of a personal brand," he adds confidently.

As we delve deeper into his love for fashion, Michael shares his appreciation for brands that experiment with their releases. "I like wild ideas. I don’t like ordinary clothing brands that sell only printed hoodies or basic designs. I like brands that develop their own way of cutting patterns, design placement, and fabric combinations.”

For more on Michaelachel read our interview below: 

The following has even lightly edited for context and clarity 

How would you describe your music style?

michaelachel: My music style... the thing is, I'm not really into genres. The easiest way to describe it is probably pop music, but I usually mix things up—as long as it sounds good! I listen to a lot of genres, so I think it all blends together. As long as it sounds good, I'll create it. I can't say I'm inspired by just one thing.  

When did you decide to become a professional musician?

michaelachel:I believe it was in 2020 when I decided to become a professional musician. 

When you became a musician for the first time, were there any interesting or inspiring moments that encouraged you to continue?

michaelachel: In the beginning, I just wanted to cover songs and never thought about creating my own. But at some point, I felt like I wanted to make something that people could appreciate—not just sing. So, I started learning about songwriting and producing. If I can inspire others to write as well, that's what I'll do.  

Which artists or genres have influenced your musical style?

michaelachel: I like many artists, such as Lauv, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Grent Perez, Keshi, Jeremy Zucker, MAX, and many more. I also immerse myself in many genres, such as Pop, R&B, Pop Rock, and Ambient Pop. Most of them fall under the Pop family tree.  

What's the greatest pleasure in music production? What’s your inspiration for music creation?

michaelachel: The greatest pleasure in music production is creating something that people can appreciate. My inspiration comes from a mix of different genres—I can't pinpoint just one.  

The artworks for your released songs are beautiful and intriguing. Can you explain why you chose those designs?  

michaelachel: My cover art has always been done by an illustrator. I usually just tell her, "This is my song—create whatever you like." The beauty of it doesn’t come from me, but from her. That’s why I always trust talented people to add more depth to what I’ve already created. I make the music, and she brings a story to the art.  

How do you think your music will resonate differently with audiences in Europe and Asia?

michaelachel: I believe music artists trying to break into the Asian market will likely have the fastest-growing listener base—at least, that’s what I’ve heard, with Indonesia being one of the strongest countries supporting this trend. But when it comes to gaining professional recognition and credibility, I lean more toward other continents. So, if you want to build a strong image as a music artist, you should try to expand beyond Asia. But if you want to grow your fan base and listener count, targeting the Asian market is a great strategy.  

In terms of music, do you have any new ideas or challenges for 2025?

michaelachel: I always want to try new things. Each year, I take on new challenges. This year, I want to make my name heard by a bigger audience.