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| Gloc-9 |
I
remember watching Jim Paredes saying with such conviction that the next Filipino
song after Anak to hit it big overseas will not be a song in English. It will
be one in Filipino instead. Now I say it with conviction that this song could
be among the tracks from MKNM Mga Kwento
ng Makata, the latest from Gloc-9 and his first under Universal Records.
All tracks but one are in Filipino and they have the potential to be hits not
just in the country, but in the international market as well. This album, a
collection of smart and witty verses by Gloc-9 that clearly reflect Filipino
sensibilities also boasts of collaborations with some of the biggest names in
the music industry namely Chito Miranda, Bamboo, Ebe Dancel, Jay Durias, Billy
Crawford and many others.
The album’s
first single Sirena has already
become a massive hit. It shouldn’t surprise anyone anymore if one hears random people
singing the chorus at the most unexpected places. I heard someone singing it
inside a public restroom for crying out loud. Gloc-9 recently had a Bloggers’ Gathering
conference at Universal Records and it was a great chance for bloggers who
attended to know more about him and how he comes up with his music. One thing
we learned there was how the song Sirena
came about. The song spawned from a conversation between Gloc-9 and Sandwich ’s
Raimund Marasigan. Meeting at the backstage during a concert, they discussed that
there hasn’t been a song about homosexuals told from the first person
perspective. From there, the wheels started turning for him and earlier on, Ebe
Dancel was the frontrunner to sing that very catchy chorus. I couldn’t imagine
now hearing someone else singing it.
Looking
at Gloc-9 or Aristotle Pollisco in real life, he clearly defies the stereotypical and idealized image of a rapper.
He doesn’t have any tattoos or any piercings in the first place. He looks inconspicuous
just like everybody else although many did comment that he looked like popular
actor John Lloyd Cruz in the Sirena
music video. I also remember seeing him at the lobby prior to the Philippine Popular Music Festival Finals Night and he didn’t look nor act like a star that
he is. He admitted that during gigs, most of the patrons wouldn’t even know who
he was until he took to the stage and started performing. And this demeanor
does reflect in his music. None of his tracks promote the party lifestyle or glamorize
sex, drugs and violence. Instead, he serves social commentary with his verses
and spices them up with probably the most infectious hooks heard in local music
today.
During
the bloggers conference, Gloc-9 also recalled that recording MKNM: Mga Kwento ng Makata took six
months which was longer then usual compared to his other albums. Mostly, it
went down to scheduling conflicts since majority of his tracks featured
collaborations. But he said that it’s the recording that is his most cherished
part in making the album. When he comes up with new compositions, he would
normally let his producers hear it and then let them do the musical
arrangement. This long wait probably made the album one of the most eagerly
awaited releases of the past month. In fact, an additional album launch show was held over at Eastwood Central
Plaza
For the
15 years Gloc-9 has been in the industry, he has gone through a lot. He has changed
labels and management and encountered difficulties in surviving in the music
industry as a rapper. Now, he is not just some other rapper but is treated instead
as one of the most respected artists in the industry. Even National Artist for
Literature, Bienvenido Lumbera, lined up during one of his CD signings. Gloc-9
was also recently named as one of the National Peace Ambassadors by Malacanang
with no other than President Benigno Aquino, Jr in attendance during the
awarding ceremony. That is truly a huge deal from someone who found it hard to
be marketed as a rapper.
Just
like what I did with Bamboo before, I also had Gloc-9 leave a message in my
little notebook and here is an English translation of what he wrote: “To Adrian !
I will always be a fan and a follower of Filipino music! Long live OPM! Gloc-9
913912” With an album such as MKNM: Mga Kwento ng Makata, who wouldn’t be a fan
and follower of Filipino music? Aside from this new album, Gloc-9 will have a
special participation in certain performances of Tanghalang Pilipino’s Walang
Kukurap. I am still not sure which performance dates he will show up but I do
hope to catch him there as well.
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| "Mabuhay ang OPM!" |
MKNM:
Mga Kwento ng Makata is available at record stores nationwide. Sirena and the rest of the album's tracks are also
available via digital downloads over iTunes and MyMusicStore Philippines .
Gloc-9’s
Bloggers’ Gathering was presented by Universal Records in cooperation with
LionhearTV, Pinoy Magazine and BANDS Magazine. Special thanks to Francis Magalona Clothing
Co.
MKNM:
Mga Kwento ng Makata
Tracks:
1.
Balak Ni Syke
2.
Apatnapungbara feat. Ian Tayao
3.
Silup feat. Denise Barbacena
4.
Alalay ng Hari feat. Allan Mitchell Silonga
5.
Sirena feat. Ebe Dancel
6.
Hindi Mo Nadinig feat. Jay Durias
7.
Sino (Interlude)
8.
Salarin feat. Bamboo Mañalac
9.
Inday feat. Cathy Go
10.
Bakit Hindi feat. Billy Crawford
11.
Malakas (Interlude)
12.
Pison feat. Chito Miranda
13.
Thankful feat. Maychelle Baay of Moonstar88 & Bambu
Bonus:
14.
Hari ng Tondo feat. Denise Barbacena
15.
Kung Tama Siya feat. Jaq Dionisio of Kissjane
