My First Encounter With The Pinoy Hip-Hop Scene
Last night, I went out with friends to go drinking, catch up on each other, and just about have fun. I haven’t gone out drinking for the longest time, so I was happy that I was finally able to do so. Little did I expect that the night would bring some sort of learning and cultural education–Pinoy style.
As you have probably guessed from my previous post, I am a big fan of techno, trance, and electronica music as a whole. I also listen to a bit of indie, jazz, and rock, but I don’t have much liking for hip-hop, rap, and R&B–in fact, I dislike it (sorry!). I don’t really listen to foreign hip-hop, rap, or R&B tracks, unless they are of the commercial variety (even worse, I know, sorry).
So now, can you imagine my reaction when I first found out that there was going to be an open mic session for aspiring Pinoy rap and hip-hop artists at the bar we went to last Saturday? Neither can I. As much as I try to be nonchalant about it, I was actually excited and shocked–I just couldn’t what I was hearing. Haha. (I wouldn’t mention the bar’s name anymore, but it’s located somewhere along Macapagal. It’s a popular chain of bars in the US, and my friend’s family owns the bar so it was cool. Who can resist free/discounted booze? Haha!).
When the first group went up the stage to perform, I was bracing myself for the worst. I was actually all ready to go to the next bar, but the curious (and drunkard) in me wanted to stay. C’mon, how many times will this happen again? Probably never again for me, so it’s really better that I just stay and soak in everything I could. And boy, did I soak in everything I could! Hahaha. My knowledge of Pinoy hip-hop and rap is more or less comprised of Francis M, Andrew E, Salbakutah (did I spell it right?), Gloc 9, and SunValleyCrew. Mention any other names and you would get a cute (haha!) ‘Huh?’ from me. :P But that night, I was able to see what the Pinoy hip-hop scene is really like.
One of my boyfriend’s friend who was with us that night was apparently a part of the Pinoy hip-hop scene, in the non-poseur sense. I haven’t really given his musical taste that much attention until I was able to see him with his crew. Almost everyone looked like him–shaved heads, baggy pants, loose shirts, ice and all. The girls of the hip-hop scene–contrary to my pre-conceived idea of them, partly based on how the media portrays them–were actually pretty decent. There were some girls who did look like sluts and bitches (political correctness aside), but I’d rather not go into that.
Going back to what I was saying, I really didn’t expect that I would actually be entertained by the groups who performed that night. Some of the pieces the rap groups performed, originals I presume, were really catchy and upbeat–perfect for the Pinoy hip-hop enthusiast. Some groups sucked, although they tried their hardest to sound cool.
If you wanna see for yourself how the night went, click here. It’s an über-short clip of one of the rap groups that we, (my boyfriend and I), actually liked. Hehe. They’ve got some originality, yo. You just gotta hand it to Pinoys.
Now, sinong malupit? (who’s wicked?). Haha! :)
