MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are figuratively and literally everywhere. They leave the country to seek greener pastures and adapt well to the new host country, but their connection to their culture remains intact. They’re indeed tethered.
Such a Pinoy diaspora and dispersion can also be seen in Australia, and allows local artists like Gloc-9 to treat his kababayan based in the Land Down Under to Pinoy music.
“To be able to take them (or bring them) a little closer to home through my songs,” said the award-winning rapper, singer, and songwriter Gloc-9 about what he looks forward to in the show, Numinous X Asintada Australian Tour 2024 come March, in an e-mail chat with The STAR. “And meeting our kababayan and performing for them, especially our OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers),” added he.
In 2019, Gloc-9 had a tour with Shanti Dope in Australia, in which he is musically visiting for the second time with Numinous X Asintada Tour. “I’m so excited,” said he.
Described as a Pinoy rap and reggae fusion, the tour features Gloc-9, the five-piece collective Chocolate Factory, Skusta Clee, Flow G, Shanti Dope, John Roa, Omar Baliw, HellMerry, and Hero.
In a statement, Joel Cabides, CEO of Variant Productions that presents the show along with Tala Entertainment, said, “I’m honored to finally be producing the first-ever Pinoy rap and reggae tour here in the Land Down Under. The reception from our kababayan here, so far has been incredible. We can’t wait to showcase more Filipino talent here in Australia.”
Numinous X Asintada Australian Tour 2024 is also presented by Daybreak, Entertainment Media, and Zion Productions, with support from Numinous Philippines, Asintada Mgmt and Prod. Inc., and ImmiCo Consultancy.
As for the lineup of songs that Gloc-9 and fellow artists are curating for the Australian gigs, he had this to say: “I’ll be performing old songs and new songs. I also have collaborations with the artists that I’m with on this tour. So, it’ll be fun.”
So far, Gloc-9 has recorded and released 11 albums with songs such as Bagsakan, Takipsilim, Sirena, and Rotonda. The beautiful challenge for him is to pick the ones that the audience can resonate with. His choices will be complemented by signature tunes from, let’s say, Chocolate Factory like Kung Ika’y Akin, Ilalim, One Love, Sexy Lady, Paglipad, and Letra.
With that, a fusion of Pinoy rap and reggae is for the taking.
“None really. I always prepare for every show, small or big, locally or abroad,” said Gloc-9 about the slight difference in his preparations for the Australian tour as compared to the earlier ones. “Every show is fulfilling the dream that I asked for.”
That is to engage listeners with the melodies and the narratives in his songs, if one may say. His works present issues on corruption, poverty, prostitution, the situations of OFWs and the LGBT community, and reincarnation. Gloc-9 just tells them as stories and doesn’t sound preachy. Listening to any of his albums is a way to get to know him as well.
“That’s why I keep on telling everyone to listen to my songs every time I have a new album. So, they will know me on a personal level,” said Gloc-9 in a published article for his Rotonda album. “Through my songs, they will get to know me better, the way I have written the songs, the way I tell the stories, makikilala ninyo ako ng mas-personal.”
Aside from the Australian tour, is there a new song or album that fans can expect from him?
“I just finished recording my 12th album, Sari Sari story,” said he.
Watch Gloc-9 and fellow Pinoy artists on March 10 at the Metro City Concert Club in Perth, Australia; March 12, The Northcote Theatre, Melbourne; March 17, The Metro Theatre, Sydney; and March 18, The Princess Theatre, Brisbane. Tickets are available at www.vrntpd.com