Something new from the realm of rap

Calling all rappers. Here is a great chance to show off your wares and to get a crack at a recording contract in what must be one of the biggest gatherings of rap acts ever imagined. The event is The First Philippine Rap Olympics and this is being produced by the big daddy of Pinoy rap, Andrew E. & Dongalo Wreckords in cooperation with Viva’s Neo Records. It will be held at the Hard Rock Café Makati on Sunday, Aug. 19 from 4 to 10 p.m.

The contest is divided into two categories, Freestyle and Group. As you already know by now, freestyle means being able to build a rap out of anything. The audience gives a word and you must come up with the right rhyme and reason for it. Be prepared for several of these as rappers like the poets of old should be able to elucidate about anything. The Group Category means two or more rappers performing together. Be sure to come early as only 15 contestants will be accepted for the Freestyle section and only 10 groups will be taken in.

Andrew E. will of course be present to host the event, perform and also to check out the entries. Also expected to be around to strut their hip hop stuff are well-known rap acts like Dugong Pasay, EHP, Salbakutah, Kruzzada, Sakitng Sucat, Rozamanazz and BlackPro.

New rapping trio on the scene is Trilogy. This one is made up of Carlo Carino who calls himself Kristyles, Jolo Raagas who is also known as J.O.L.O., and Mark Anglo, who has adopted Krook as his other name. The group recently released its first album titled Kut-5 for the III Kamp label. Kristyles was raised in L.A., in the US of A., where he had a rap group called MC2. Krook was born in Washington but grew up in Maryland. Like Kristyles, he also performed with his own group. J.O.LO., those letters mean Juggling Over Lyrical Obstacles, is strictly homegrown. He joined up with the other Trilogy members when producer DJ Mod heard him doing a number for Mo Twister’s album.

It was after this that DJ Mod got them together and they became Trilogy. Then together, they came up with the very filling and well-produced Kut-5, which features solo tracks for each of the boys and several group efforts for the trio. Surprisingly, despite the US of A upbringing of two Trilogy members, Kut-5 retains a lot of the Pinoy influence with its very melodic contents. Parents have no need to fear with this one as the selections border on the wholesome most of the time.

Included in the album are Street to the Clubs feat. Mickey of 7shots, What Would It Be feat. Geneva Cruz, The Juggle, Eminem Kut, I Go to Raves, I Don’t Like to Brag, Ride 2 This, Opposite Worlds, feat. Kim of 7shots, You Know Me, Look at Me Now, Club Seen feat. Philip of 7shots and Love or Hate.

An old hand at the game of rap is Hi-Jakkk and he mouths really strong stuff. His new album It Only Comez Down 2 One carries the Parental Advisory warning because of the explicit content. This is only to be expected because Hi-Jakkk started rapping with the gangsta group Death Threat some years ago. I believe the group made waves with Ilibing ng buhay ang mga pasosyal… He has since taken the solo route and has produced, arranged, performed and written a number of successful albums like Domination I and 2, Tha Revelation, C-4 Tha Unexpected and others.

Hi-Jakk’s It Only Comez Down 2 One is another solo effort made up of two discs labeled Book I and Book 2 with 18 cuts. He goes for the jugular as he raps about the local hip hop community, the culture, happenings and even waxes philosophical as he tries to answer questions about life, reality, enemies within and a lot more.

Cuts included are It Only Comez Down 2 One, Only God Can Judge Me, Kanino Ka?, Abomination, Bagong Yugto, Ragz 2 Richez, Ako’y Nandito Lang, Don’t Judge Me, Wake-up, Steel Wee, If I Die B4 I Wake, Dedicated 2, Ingrato, Souljaz II, Maari Bang Magtanong, Immortalized, No Mercy and Apocalypse Army. Guesting in the album are Kane, Kingpin, Renegade Souljaz, G. Doug and Sarah Anne.