Rap Takes on a New Focus

• Krook and J.O.L.O. Focused Universal Records 2004

Ever since rap took on a more searing, rock-driven edge some years back, it seemed that there wasn’t anywhere else for it to go. For the longest time, it always teetered on the verge of novelty and gimmickry, with its biggest adherents rapping their way to the bank with nothing more than drum machines and silly musings replete with sexual overtones and double entendres.

But there’s a new breed of rappers out to change all that. The two-man contingent of Krook & J.O.L.O is on a crusade to rekindle the distinction that rap once enjoyed.

With their new album aptly titled Focused, the duo is deadset on taking rap to a newer level. "It’s been described as having the East Coast rap sound," explains Jolo.

"It’s more R&B than hardcore rap. Plus, we also have a lot of guests such as Jay-R, Arnee and Francis M. We had a couple of songs produced and guested on by LA-based production firm called Div6. I think they’re doing the reunion album of Destiny’s Child right now."

Jolo and Krook were once members of the now-defunct hiphop group, Trilogy, together with fellow rapper Kristoffer Carlo "Kristyles" Cariño. At that time, the trio released their highly-charged debut titled Kut 5 Trilogy under the Ill Kamp label, then distributed by Universal Records.

"We all got together then through DJ MOD (a.k.a. Noel Macanaya)," explains Jolo. The idea then was to have three solo artists with our own songs. That was supposed to be our ‘testing ground’ before we embarked on our own respective solo careers."

Unfortunately, Trilogy broke up after two years when Kristyles had to go back to the US to take care of the family business when his dad passed away.

Born and raised in Manila, Jose Jolo Garcia Raagas, 24, also goes by the monicker J.O.L.O. (Juggling Over Lyrical Obstacles) — an apt catchphrase that best describes his penchant for rapping.

Way back during his high school days at the Ateneo, Jolo rapped his way through an English music project. "When people heard it, they liked it instantly," he narrates.

"So, that was like my rude awakening. I said, "Wow! I can do this!"

From then on, Jolo joined a lot of underground groups. "We were producing our own CDs, passing them out to clubs, trying to make a buck or two," he adds. "The rave scene was pretty big back then."

On the other hand, Mark Anthony ‘Krook’ Anglo, 23, was born in Washington, D.C., grew up in Maryland, and came back to Manila in 1999 to continue his studies.

"My parents are both Filipinos who migrated to the States back in the `70s," Krook narrates.

Although he didn’t know anyone in the music biz back then, Krook was dauntless in looking for leads and opportunities to flaunt his talent. "I used to go to every event just to check it out," Krook shares, "I met DJ MOD at a DMZ DJing finals. The only rapper I knew then was Andrew E. I wanted him to hear me, but I couldn’t just butt in his program. So, he introduced me to Noel instead. Later, Noel invited me to come to his studio and I did. We made a song in three hours. Two months later, he told me he was forming Trilogy with Jolo and Kristyles."

With such diverse influences, Jolo and Krook sifted through the essential elements and forged their own unique sound. "Of course, we respect our own homegrown artists such as Francis M and Mastaplann," Jolo admits.

For an album that’s still distinctly OPM, Focused–ironically – sounds anything but a local production. "Technically, a lot of people say they don’t believe it’s OPM," Jolo boasts. "It’s flattering. Hindi siya manipis. Plus, it’s not too heavy for a first time rap listener. There’s this song which Francis M calls Final Destination’ that talks about life and death. For that, we sampled Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. Our carrier single is On Your Own, produced by DJ MOD and Div6.

Despite rap music’s taking a backseat to other more popular genres these days, Jolo is still optimistic about the local rap scene. "There’s a lot of talent out there," he affirms. "We’d like to take up from where Mastaplann left off. And as far as image is concerned, we’d like to change people’s impressions of hiphop guys. Nowadays, if a hiphop guy walks into a club, people would go, ‘Ah, jologs!’ There was a time when we’d go to clubs and all the girls would want the hiphop guy– not the straight-looking, clean-cut guy. Ever since Salbakuta came out, hiphop had such a bad image.

They made it ugly for us. That’s the change we want."

Asked to cite the difference between rap and hiphop, Krook settles the score.

"They say rap is something you do. Hiphop is something you live– like a culture or something," he explains. "Rap is like a branch of that culture, just like how deejaying or breakdancing are branches of that hiphop culture.

Surprisingly, the ‘hiphop’ tag isn’t used much in the States. "I’ve heard that word spoken here more than anywhere else," Krook adds.

Not one to succumb to fads, Jolo admits to having transcended the hiphop look and image. "I’m not the type who’ll go with all the trends," he points out. "Like, I don’t wear jerseys no more. If I used to wear those like what they wear now, I’ll change it ‘coz they’re wearing it now. I don’t wear those big shirts either. I like a cleaner look."

But what is it then that makes rappers easy prey for feminine wiles? Is it true that the hiphop guys always get the girls? Amused, Krook unabashedly admits, "Yeah, we get attention. I guess it’s the confidence." Jolo adds, "They can see and feel that you’ve got a lot to say to them. Girls know. They can feel that kind of aura — especially if you’re fakin’ it or not.

With all their sights ‘focused’ on their new album, the duo has no intentions of bearing any patriotic torch. "We don’t want to set borders and call this Filipino or American," Jolo emphasizes. "We want it to cross over everywhere. That’s what music is. It’s the language of the universe."