How Guddhist redefines rap

What also makes the local music scene vibrant and complete is the presence of independent artists — yes, aside from the signed, mainstream ones. These talents tap social media and streaming platforms to introduce and popularize their music genre and style to everyone. In some way, they even offer the listening public spaces to expand their music appreciation.

Belonging to the exciting crop of indie artists is Guddhist Gunatita, who has redefined rap in terms of style, genre and purpose. Some sources describe his as conscious rap.

“It means good, mabait (nice and kind) and a bearer of good vibes,” answered the rapper when The STAR complimented his unique artist’s name in a recent virtual one-on-one. By the way, Guddhist is Genesis Lago in real life.

“At that time when I thought of possible names, I considered the idea of putting (and using) my name (first) and then, someone suggested that I should consider a rapper(-sounding) name,” added he, who spent an ample time in accomplishing such task and encountered the words Buddhist and the religion Buddhism. “Then, I decided to have my name Guddhist and I put my own meaning to it,” he said.

With “Gudd” to mean “good,” his music is created and produced to spread positivity and counter negative thoughts and feelings.

“When I was young, every 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., my father would play rap, that’s his kind of music,” recalled Guddhist. “I grew up with it and so I (developed) a liking to the music genre. It became part of my sound trip (or my go-to playlist when I felt like listening to songs).”

And then, time came when Guddhist was looking for something that would keep his hands full. The answer presented itself when he saw his childhood friends immersing themselves in songwriting. With his creative curiosity, he followed their lead.

“I thought of giving it a try and contacted them,” said he. “From there, I have continued on and went into the hip-hop music scene.”

Guddhist initially collaborated with the 1096 Gang group for the TikTok hit Pajama Party. It was followed by other tunes like Lakbay, Ginto, Di Na Babalik and Gudds and the album Metamorphosis. His recent work is Sana Lahat Gumaan.

“Yung nakikita ko ngayon, my music seems different as compared to the hip-hop music now,” said the artist, who even if he has given other rappers’ songs a listen, Guddhist thinks his is “a bit far (and different) from theirs.”

“For me, mine is wholesome and relatable, lahat po ng tao makaka-relate,” he added. “With other rap songs, the new generation can relate, but the old school cannot. The themes (being presented in my songs) are about life experiences and how to become strong every day.”

“(My songs) now are more on personal experiences and observations of things around me, which are my sources of inspiration,” shared he.

The interview also revealed Guddhist’s thought that music has a therapeutic dimension besides its ability to entertain and engage listeners.

“For me, music is not just part of our everyday lifestyle like when you feel bored, you (see the) need to play music,” said he. “Para sa akin, sandalan mo rin siya at (it’s like a friend whom you can rely on and it serves as a) medicine in a way. Kapag magulo ang isip mo, magulo ang paligid mo, kapag kailangan mong magpa-kalma, sa music ko siya na-ba-balance (If there are many things that keep my mind wandering and a lot are also happening in my surroundings, I find calmness and balance in music).” He added that the artist gets the same effect when he has created new music and heard it for the first time.

As for his creative process, Guddhist said he is in charge of songwriting and seeks the expertise of fellow creatives and friends for the other aspects of recording, from mixing and mastering tunes to producing beats.

Early this year, he got signed up with the label Believe Music and generously shared plans in the future such as the launch of an EP and singles.

Given today’s norm in distribution, Guddhist’s creative works will be simultaneously released in streaming platforms and they can also be accessed on social media, if one may add.

With all that, music enthusiasts look forward to where this will lead Guddhist and his music further in spreading good vibes music.

(Access Guddhist’s music on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Deezer as well as on YouTube.)