The genre gets its name from the slang term "koplo" which refers to a hallucinogenic drug that is sold cheaply in Indonesia.

[2][3] Koplo also differs musically from the regular dangdut in the dominant role of the drummer, which plays more complex drum patterns.

[1] Traditional koplo in East Java is notable for the live performances, on which female singers dance erotically by shaking their hips and chests in revealing clothes.

Dangdut kotekan was music played to wake up the community for sahur during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

[1] Other stylistic origin traces to dangdut campursari (congdut) based in the Banyuwangi area, which is known for traditional rhythms and thickness of kempul drums.

Hailed from Pasuruan, Inul began her career in the East Java region, and her recordings spread nationwide through pirated VCDs.

[5] The popularity of koplo was also fueled by the saturation of the dangdut scene, thus prompted listeners to explore fresh sounds.

The feud culminated in Inul, as a newcomer in the dangdut scene, finally visited Rhoma's house and received a lecture on morality, and cried.

[1][4][5] Via Vallen's hit song "Sayang" characteristically employs elements of reggaeton and rap and gendang koplo beat is played only during chorus and bridge, curtailing to the generic pop sensibility of young generations.

[1][4] As of March 2021, the music video for Siti Badriah's song "Lagi Syantik" has recorded over 635 million views on YouTube.