The Krook & J.O.L.O. debut album

The new rap duo Krook & J.O.L.O. must be very special. Otherwise, I do not see any reason for the likes of Master Rapper Francis M, R&B beefcake Jay R, Pikaso, Arnee Hidalgo and veteran producer DJ M.O.D., a.k.a. Noel Macanaya, plus other hip hop talents to band together and give their support to the group’s debut album Focused. Also on hand to join them in recording his new composition On Your Own is Shane Trace of the Los Angeles-based band The League. Trace has written and produced songs for the likes of B2K, Destiny’s Child and Beyonce.

But then Krook & J.O.L.O. are not really new in the business. They were once part of the hardcore rap group Trilogy and were acknowledged as two of the best rappers around. Unlike other hip hop acts who prefer to lean towards sex and humor in their works, Krook & J.O.L.O. prefers to put across messages about life’s realities that never fail to affect the sensibilities of the listeners. Their poetry is often harsh and despite their flair for melody, can also be disturbing. But not to forget, they can also inspire, uplift and give important lessons. They did that with Trilogy and they are doing more of the same as Krook & J.O.L.O.

Trace’s On Your Own is the first single release. He also joins them in two more of his compositions How We Do and Every Little Thing. Mr. Jha Koff is featured in the opening track Intro. Jay R, who is also making waves as model for Bench underwear, guests in Throw Your Hands. Francis M and Pikaso are in Final Destination. Arnee Hidalgo sings in Holding Back the Tears. Other guests are Zaide Jing Macanaya in Sometimes Life Goes Wrong, Martin Taylor and Mr. Blaze in Light It Up, Darren Michael in Bedtime Story and D-Coy in My Main Thing. On their own, Krook & J.O.L.O. present P.I.’s Finest, J.O.L.O., Break You Down and Oh No.

There is not much going on in the local hip hop scene right now so it is good news for those who have been wondering if the genre is in its death throes to know that Krook & J.O.L.O. are holding up the banner for rap.

The Parokya ni Edgar album Bigotilyo as Album of the Year and the group’s monster hit Mr. Suave as Song of the Year reign supreme in the 2004 Awit Awards. Congratulations to Parokya ni Edgar and to all the other winners. Here is the list:

Performance by a Female Artist: Lani Misalucha, Malaya Ka Na

Performance by a Male Artist: Gary Valenciano, Ang Aking Munting Bituin

Performance by a Duet: Kyla with Gary Valenciano, Sana’y Maulit Muli

Performance by a Group: Parokya ni Edgar, Mr. Suave

Performance by a New Female Artist: Sarah Geronimo, Forever’s Not Enough

Performance by a New Male Artist: Erik Santos, I Believe I Can Fly

Performance by a New Group: Akafellas, Help Me Forget

Album of the Year: Bigotilyo, Parokya ni Edgar

Song of the Year: Mr. Suave, Parokya ni Edgar

Ballad: Bakit Pa Ba? Jay R

Rock: Mariposa, Sugar Free

Alternative Music: Burnout, Sugar Free

Novelty: Mr. Suave

Dance: Sa Iyo, Sarah Geronimo

Inspirational/Religious: Awit sa Ina ng Sto. Rosario, Karylle and Bukas Palad

Christmas: Pasko Na Naman, Gloc 9

Rap: The Yes Yes Show, Parokya ni Edgar

R&B: I Will Find You, Kyla

Song Written for a Movie: Ang Aking Munting Bituin, Gary Valenciano

Jazz: Tinamaan Mo Noel Cabangon; Jesuit Music Ministry

Instrumental Performance: Jay Cayuca, Take Me Out of the Dark.

Musical Arrangement: Louie Ocampo, Tell Me by Regine Velasquez and Ariel Rivera

Vocal Arrangement: Louie Ocampo, Tell Me

Engineered Recording: Goodnite But Not Goodbye Asiatec Pink Noise Studio

Album Package: Noel by Noel Cabangon

Music Video of the Year: Mr. Suave

People’s Choice Favorite Artist: Kyla

People’s Choice Favorite Song: A Little Bit by MYMP

On another note: South Border, which will surely figure prominently in next year’s Awit Awards, think Rainbow, performs tonight in the concert South Border Episode III… the Show at the Araneta Coliseum. The group’s latest album which contains Rainbow and other new tunes is also titled Episode III. The title probably means that this is the third time that South Border has changed soloists. The new guys are Vince Alaras and Duncan Ramos and this is their first major show as South Border members. Constant of course is the presence of prime mover Jay Durias as musicial director, occasional lead singer, composer and produce