Quest’s Thanksgiving Concert

When hip hop and R&B singer/songwriter Quest (Jose Villanueva III in real life) mounted a campaign to have his song Sige Lang land at the top of the MYX Hit Charts, he made a promise that he would hold a free concert if it happens. Eventually, the song hit it big; not only did it climb to the top of the charts in September 2012 but it also became the anthem of the Gilas Pilipinas National Basketball Team. And Quest was true to his word as he mounted the promised thanksgiving concert at T.E.A.T.R.I.N.O. at the Promenade in Greenhills.

Quest performing at Radio Republic's SWAG

With just about a few days notice, a good sized crowd still managed to come and celebrate the success of Sige Lang. At first, I felt a bit out of place considering that a huge majority of the people who gathered there were huge fans of Quest. But it was silly of me to think this way since I was there for the music and everybody was welcome at the concert. I’ve heard about Quest before through my friends from KeyStrings Music and was able to see him personally when he was a guest at the SWAG program over at Radio Republic. And speaking of guests, the thanksgiving concert had an impressive lineup of guest artists like Abby Assistio, Julianne, Abra & RJay of LDP, and SWAG hosts, Knowa Lazarus & Flava Matikz of Q-York. Several well wishers from the music industry dropped by as well like Paolo Valenciano, Roxanne Barcelo and the duo of Thyro & Yumi.

At the dressing room with Abby Assistio & Julianne before the concert

Backed up by the four piece band, Portable Sound, Quest sang a lot of his own material that included my favorite Back to Love, upcoming single Digmaan featuring Julianne and of course, the song that made this concert possible, Sige Lang. Included in the set list was Tao Lang but the rapper of the song Loonie wasn’t able to make it that night so Quest had to ask volunteers from the audience to do the rap part of the song. The guest artists gave the concert a change of pace as Abby and Julianne’s solo performances slowed things a bit, offering an intimate breather that contrasted nicely to the energy filled number of Q-York. I think that the main of the highlight of the concert was the epic freestyle session that had Quest, Abra, RJay, Thyro, Knowa Lazarus and Portable Sound letting it loose onstage. It was also a no-brainer that Abra had to perform his phenomenal hit Gayuma since Thyro was already there. Quest later acknowledged Abra’s contribution in giving hip hop a greater exposure through this breakout song. The whole affair was meant to celebrate the success of the past year, but Quest took a moment to remind everyone that there are those who are less fortunate, especially those who were recently hit by the typhoon Pablo. And that they should not be forgotten in the midst of all the celebration.

Quest performs at his thanksgiving concert

The epic freestyle session

Quest's turn to freestyle

Quest proved through his music that hip hop is not just about drugs, sex and violence. He has remained not only true to his music but also true to his beliefs by showing that hip hop could be a positive force as well. The thanksgiving concert was indeed a validation that Philippine hip hop has definitely matured, is gaining momentum and very much poised to get bigger in the year 2013. And with Quest being a main force in this rise, it seems that another thanksgiving concert may be in store before 2013 ends.