‘Rock to Lead’ concert at the Family Park

CEBU, Philippines - What happens when you put all the biggest rap stars in the history of the Philippines since Francis M? Find out tonight as JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel presents “Rock to Lead” this September 19. The highly anticipated show is scheduled at 5 p.m. at the Family Park, Talamban Cebu.

The surging local hip-hop community hoists its flag tonight as the genre’s young rap and metal sensations Loonie, Abra, Ron Henley, DJ Buddah and Greyhoundz will be staging their first concert together in Cebu.

Raymond Abracosa, better known as Abra, is a hip hop artist who gained popularity with his song “Gayuma.” The music video for the song shows Abra being given a potion only to realize that his love interest is in fact gay. The video has reached more than 26 million views on YouTube, the highest number generated by any local artist.

A lyrically gifted rapper, Loonie is respected in the rap and hip-hop circle and idolized by many. Loonie learned from the best in honing his rap skills in both English and Tagalog. At 16, he joined the “Rappublic of the Philippines” contest of the noontime show “Eat Bulaga” as group Stick Figgas with his best friend Ron Henley. Though they didn’t win, the country’s master rapper Francis Magalona took him under his wings and became part of his crew of “hype men” during gigs and concerts.

The “New Metal” genre was conceived, or how Greyhoundz’s fans and critics would say, the HUPOW movement. This was how powerful their single “Pigface” was spreading throughout the scene. The new music scene really took off when Greyhoundz released their debut album, “7 Corners of Your Game” in 1999. Released under Sony Music Philippines, this album contained the rawest and most powerful yet appealing tracks. Songs like “Mr. P.I.G.”, “Leech” and “Party At 802” displayed the band’s versatility in songwriting.

Heavy rock meets hip-hop – as we all know how the two norms clashed then. Needless to say that it was Greyhoundz that bridged the gap. The album went on to hit platinum status, making Greyhoundz the meanest and heaviest band in the country.

Cebu bands expected to grace the show include Drop Decay, Bethany, Dropout Club, Mathina, Dance with Me Kris, Shuffled, Foc Fashion and Cebu Elite Beatboxers United. The show will be hosted by Mike Swift.

Tickets, sold at P300, can be purchased at Shabu Way Hot Pot Cuisine-Ayala Terraces, Manggahan, Handuraw Pizza-Gorordo, Skills and Bones-Azul, Think Positive Clothing-Jones, Purple Tea-APM Mall, The Pink Bar-Mango, The Backdoor-Mango, Chickey’s-USC-TC, Lasangan-USC-TC, Baryo Grill-USC Main, Flow Genesis Parkour, and Fitness Studio.

The “Rock to Lead” event is a fundraising concert of JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel for the “Read to Lead” literacy program. (PR) (FREEMAN)