Gloc-9, the new makata

Hip-hop music is alive and doing very well in the Philippines and thanks to nurse-turned-rapper Gloc-9, it is also distinctively Filipino. Hip-hop is an American pop music form that began in the early ’70s and is now widely accepted all over the world. Of course, Pinoys hopped into this bandwagon and I must say did very well in those early attempts. Though totally diverse in their styles, FrancisM and Andrew E. both came out with their own, Filipino kind of rap and made really good. Sad to say though, there was nobody who came in their wake who had the same impact on local music. And it was only after a long two decades that we found hip-hop to rejoice about in Gloc-9.

Gloc-9 was a slow burner. I remember him as one of many FrancisM wannabes some years back. Very promising but still to hit his stride as a poet or, should I say, to find the right rap. And I think this finally happened with his latest album, Mga Kwento Ng Makata (MKNM). Too bad, he had to find a professional monicker during that time when rappers were supposed to be tough, street warriors. So he became Gloc-9 as in the gun glock. It is too late to do anything about that now. I would really like a name for him that goes with makata. That is what he is. But it does not really matter. Gloc-9, the makata, has made his bid for legend with this CD.

The cut Sirena, which deals with intolerance towards homosexuality, and which features Ebe Dancel, former frontman of the defunct Sugarfree, proved to be the game changer. A first-person account of growing up gay, the song, was one brilliant piece of lyric-writing. Funny and serious at the same time, it was commercial enough to appeal to a wide market. I loved how Gloc-9 summed up his message with these words, “Di sinusukat ang tapang at ang bigote sa mukha, dahil kung minsan mas lalaki pa sa lalaki ang bakla.” Makata nga siya.

Gloc-9 takes on other interesting themes in MKNM. An amusing piece on something that has been debated on for years on end is Kung Tama Siya, one of the bonus tracks. This one features Jaq Dionisio of the band Kissjane. This is an imaginary conversation between, would you believe, our favorite heroes, Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio? There is also Alalay Ng Hari featuring Allan Mitchell Silanga, a heartfelt tribute to Gloc-9’s idol and mentor, FrancisM. Without FrancisM to inspire and guide him, there would be no Gloc-9 today.

Mga Kwento Ng Makata boasts of 13 more cuts. Gloc-9 and his stellar collaborators have been very generous with buyers. The other songs included are Balak Ni Syke, the intro; Apatnapungbara, featuring Ian Tayao of Queso; Silup feat. Denise Barbacena; Hindi Mo Nadinig, feat. Jay Durias; Sino, the interlude; Salarin, feat. Bamboo Mañalac; Inday, feat. Cathy Go; Bakit Hindi, feat. Billy Crawford; Malakas, another interlude; Pison, feat. Chito Miranda; Thankful feat. Maychelle Baay of Moonstar88 and Bambu; plus another bonus track Hari Ng Tondo, again feat. Denise Barbacena.

Still on Gloc-9: I am happy to note that his videos are also doing very well. People like his songs, so they also watch his videos. Proof of this is his frequent rotation on the MYX music channel. Would you believe, he has three songs in this week’s Pinoy MYX Countdown Top 20 list? These are the new single, Hindi Mo Nadinig from MKNK with Durias, Kunwari with the rock band Kamikazee and Katulad Ng Iba which features Zia Quizon.

Then for an idea of what tunes fans are watching and listening to these days, here is the latest tabulation from MYX. It Takes A Man And A Woman by Sarah Geronimo; HKM by Callalily; Take A Chance by Luigi D’Avola; Mr. Kupido by Myrtle Sarrosa; Hindi Mo Nadinig by Gloc-9 feat. Jay Durias; Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat by Daniel Padilla; B.A.B.A.Y. by Yeng Constantino; You Still Have A Long Way To Go by Typecast; Pilipinas, Kailan Ka Magigising by Rivermaya; Darating by BBS feat. Ney, Dello and Kleggy.

Kunwari by Kamikazee and Gloc-9; Everything About You by Karylle; Kelan by Amistad; Two Steps Behind by Six-Part Invention; Tanong by Young JV; Bawat Daan by Ebe Dancel feat. the cast of Sa Wakas; Akin Ka Na Lang by JM de Guzman; After All This Time by Itchyworms; Katulad Ng Iba by Gloc-9 again feat. Zia Quizon; and Back For More by Sandwich.