"May Sayad Nga" -Mike Swift ft. Francis M.

This is the response to "May Sayad" -Circulo Pugantes

Mike Swift's response to D-Coy

Part One


Part Two

Video Drop: "Thump" (Remastered)- Mista Blaze, Mike Swift & London Baby

Mista Blaze,Mike Swift and London Baby..produced by the Dj Arbie Won..directed by Dj Arbie Won for CornerEye Filmz featuring cameo roles from Palito & Sheree

Legendary Actor/Musician, Palito, is currently confined in a hospital in Imus, Cavite and badly needs financial assistance in order to fully diagnose his condition. He is in need of a CT Scan ASAP. Please contact us at 09163451874 if you wish to donate. Any amount will help him greatly. Please share this post with your... contacts. Thank you so much. (Originally posted in Rivermaya Facebook page)

Palito is now in PGH. If you want to help, please contact his sons Jun & Arvin at 0928-4564958 & 0912-8144212. Or you may wire: Arvin Z. Hipolito, UCPB/Megalink, Acct # 2381066324.

Source: Palito (Fan Page on Facebook)

New Video: "Sold Us A Dream" -Mike Swift & J-Hon

Latest music video from Mike Sweezy & J-Hon

Video Drop: "Konektado 3 Trailer"

Last august Mike Swift dropped the second issue of his DVD magazine "Konektado". Now that he's back in NY he already finished and set to release the third installment of Konektado. featuring back stage footage of international hip-hop acts. Peek the the sneek preview and watch out for the release.

Konektado 1 & 2 is still out. So grab a copy !!

New Video: Back At It Again - MIke Swift & J-Hon

Mike Swift just recently return to NY after staying here in PI for a while and here he goes dropping a new track and a video. The video is directed by Mark Carranceia of NoiseMaker who also Co-Directed the "Ordinary Guy" music video of Mike Swift. There are some heads that says Mark Carranceia is the next "Rik Cordero". Who is he ? Do some research guys.. Peace

For More Info: http://www.youtube.com/user/mikeswizzle
YouTube - NoisemakerMediaOne
http://www.noisemakermedia.com/

"Back To the New School" -Turbulence Prod.

SoulFiesta - Back To The New School

It's been 2 1/2 weeks since the release of this album.. I just waited for the download servers to be free of traffic and not to reach the download limit before i post it here.. So for those peeps who hasn't downloaded this yet.. Start clicking the link and listen to this latest offering from the Turbulence Camp..

Note: There's a track here that's kinda controversial.. Beef/Diss ?.. It's for you to find out !!!

Konektado DVD

The 1st DVD magazine in P.I. is now out.. "Konektado DVD magazine by Mike Swift" You can grab a copy @ Capital G (3rd Floor Promenade Building (In Movement Dance Studio) Corner of Wilson St. & P. Guevarra - Greenhills, San Juan Metro Manila 1500)

New Video: "Good Luck Na Lang" -Mike Swift

Video Drop: Mike Swift @ Elbo Room (SF)

Video Break: Mike Swift's Last Day in Bay Area

To The Billboard: episode 3

From Brooklyn, to the Bay, to the Philippines, to The rest of the World...

What’s up SoulSonic.. Sorry it has been a while..To The Billboard it is.. pag sinabi ko sa inyo na walang impossible, dahil ginagawa ko ang mga yon.. panoodin nyo na lang ang mga video.. salamat sa mg tumulong. At sa mga nagbigay ng kanta kahit wala akong pambayad.. maraming salamat. Malaking tulong sa akin mga kanta nyo.. sila ang nagbibigay ng buhay at energy sa mga ginagawa ko.

Also if you guys get a chance .. minsan nakikita ko rin itong magazine na to sa mga malls in the Philippines but YRB is a worldwide magazine I have a pretty big article there next to Slim Shady.. Fat Joe, Jenna Jameson, Carmelo Anthony, Kid Robot, etc etc..

Also will be featured in west coast hip hop magazine, STASH. And out next week is HOOP CITY’s first issue with Michael Jordan on the cover, I am their first featured artist in there. (wow 2 pages)

Respect and congratulations to the nominees of the PI Hip-Hop awards. I have utmost love and respect for most of you guys are my friends, and I am a fan of most of your work, however when I read from it’s site that it’s the highest honor in Filipino Hip-Hop community, that’s when I have to disagree. If anything it lacks integrity and honor in my book. (hindi ko tinitira si H-TOWN) ang tinitira ko ay ang sistema nilang bulok!! I applaude H TOWN for his efforts in glorifying Pinoy Hip-Hop, i just question the organiztion’s vision for "US" in the community. He has a big responsibility in representing "US" the best way possible. It’s leaders whoever they are, are too secretive to be representing "US" in the open. HOW are the Hip Hop Awards, supposedly the highest honor in Pinoy Hip-Hop going to represent US if they don't communicate with US!!

It is not H town’s fault that the hip hop awards had turned most of hip hop artists and execs to hypocrites probably including me at one point. But I can guarantee you im going to hear the same cries and complaints from a lot of people involved , specially the losers of the next hip hop awards. As long as the artist and the genre cant generate money for the development of our art, and artist deserving, then this will remain a problem. If BJ FORBES and MARK HERRAS, and CARLOS AGASSI can get a record deal contract, but Nimbus Nine and GOD’S WILL cant and many more deserving cant, Then there is a big problem there.

Another vendetta I have on the organization is , How come none from it’s organization invited me to be involved. Conspiracy? Personalan? Am I a threat?, Wouldn’t I be a nice extension to this movement that I already helped in many ways you wouldn’t understand in one sentence? (and I definitely appreciate the stage that i earned to perfom on the past, till this day im thankful) Regardless of what it maybe. Fact of the matter is Im fuckin making noise, and represent the Filipino hip hop community like no other for the world to see. Can you name anyone raised by Pinoy Hip-Hop community getting featured in major international magazines (shouts to the producers featured in SCRATCH), matter of fact Can you name any other artist, an entertainer Believe me this is not a cry for an award, or to be nominated. Because to me the highest honor is RESPECT!! And Ive gained that from majority, and that’s foreigners included. Yes I did say that I banned the Hip Hop Awards, and will not be a hypocrite and jump on its bandwagon the day they want to favor me, if they ever will… Conspiracy? Personalan? At kung ano ano pang possible kung bakit na singled out yata ako.

One thing I realized is , our cries in the PI are the same cries of starving artists in Brooklyn, and the same in the Bay area.

Traveling to the west coast had given me a better perspective on what is needed to be done as far as executing the necessary TO THE BILLBOARD (backed by a major player in the game) It also gave me the chance to meet other unsung heroes such as the BAYLIENS and the gorillapino pope himself, NUMP TRUMP. They are so connected to glorifying Filipinos in the world and I feel that they deserve everything that they wat to go for. Ive learned so much from them. The Bayliens with 3 songs currently in rotation in the nations 4th largest radio station in Clearchannels WILD 94.9, and NUMP TRUMP who is a pinoy that the filipino hip hop community have to glorify. The man is signed to E40’s label (sik wit it) he had a big song in the bay area (I GOT GRAPES) he had worked with lmostly all of the legendary rappers in the Bay, and then some.he is very Unselfish, and hardworking, and aggressive as fuck. He had invited me to join his movement, GORILAPINO .45 CAL. and I rep that shit!

Let me just sum up all the special things that happened, and how it came about. Ive was speaking with cats from forensic science (met them in th PI , XIEN HOW ENZYME, FLOSS, KILLA STORMZ, who became my brothers fo life!, and J3, wademan, cel and floss. you guys too) about heading to the bay area to shoot for a scene for my next dvd (STILL DOING tHE RIGHT THING) I had bought my ticket for me to stay there for a month.. shouts to my brothers who are ALL IN in this movement, they understand it’s power and unselfishness. And in the process of waiting out the perfect day to shoot. Mike Swift just hustled the rest of the days the way he knows how.. and this is some of the things that happened.. besides linkin up with other tagalog rappers such as Sandamukal records camp, trap, Koponang KuLapo, Mr Rey, and cats like A1 sauce, G-BOOGS, Open line medias Rome Digs(shouts to you and your efforts-Intelligent Movement) and to all who had helped me 1016, JoILL, STEF & INEZ, Jim the LEANER.. fuck too much to mention. you know who you are..lol..... I got to guest in two radio shows (one in a major radio at WILD 94.9, ABS CBN international featured me in MYX, met up with Manny Pacquiao and his camp, which is how people got to see me in the Philippine news all around the world. Hung out with OPIO of Hieroglyphics, recorded with LIVIN LEGENDS SUNSPOT JONZ in Los ANGELES. I trooped it with fellow travelmatic characters, the bayliens, during Grammy’s weekened, where I got to walk the red carpet, and got it in with APL DE AP (he gave me his business card, I take that he saw the get Jay-Z for me before X-Mas recently, and because of this you will see more changes in the PI… riddles upon riddles upon riddles.. theres going to be a lot of ass kissing towards APL DE AP again, guarantee hypocrites will surface again)

Met up with SUGE KNIGHT (he tapped my chest so hard with his backhand, I still feel that shit..lol) where he asked me to sit with him again, but it wasn’t the right time to sit with him, long story.. bumped into BLUE WILLIAMS (OUTKAST MANAGER) he recognized and rememberd me and gave him something new I don’t know if you realize how high powered and hard to get at type people these are, but im there rubbin elbows, and being recognized) its all part of the plan. Performed in Oakland, Frisco, santa clara at the same stage the same day as cats like ZION I, Mista Fab, Nump trump, Bayliens… and so much more. I soaked up so much of bay hip hop history, and fell in love with it almost the same way as I cut through the industry in the PI .. I made my presence felt so strong in the Bay that I am already getting flown out next week to perform, and a guesting in radio awaits me . and an album together with NUMP is being talked about (did two songs with him already, and bout to record another featuring Bambu of Native Guns ..) Pinoy's Finest mixtape volume 2 also will be in progress with Maka Uno, MR REY, and KOPONANG KULAPO)

STAY TUNED for ILLEGAL BAYLIEN IN NEW YORK DVD with soundtrack that is bangin!!! (you will see how a true grinder gets it in a months time) LEGENDARY!!

Not to mention that I was on the Bill 2 weeks ago with Amanda Diva (youtube her if you'd like, you'll see how big known she is) in Nuyorican Poets Café. Im out here in New York got a radio interview tonight.. but of course you already know that I will have video of everything that I talk about.. Proof to validate the truth in all I say and write. Ingat kapatid!! Umpisa pa lang ito.. yung mga kasabay ko sa laban na ito.. walang bibitaw. At yung mga gusting sumali.. Sali na kayo Masaya ditto!! Mapagbigay na movement, kaya galit ang mga madadamot dito eh (downlow haters).. Just know that this movement is yours to own as well. Know when you have something special.. hindi ko makakaya ito kung wala kayo. Kayo ang aking inspirasyon..

ATIN TOH!! TO THE BILLBOARD!!!

To The Billboard: episode 2 "Bridging The Gap"

Welcome sneak peekers, admirers, haters, and supporters.
Thank you for reading my blogs, and thank you for dropping comments.
It kind of surprised me how much people are touched, whether in a good way or a bad way(mostly good), by the last blog. ("When I NEED HELP, I ALWAYS ASK----100 views a day is the most for me--) We have so much important people from different areas of life drop in with their honest thoughts. Suddenly it all made sense to me where I really stand. The position I have grown into. I decided to put it up for the public so everyone thats a fan of pinoy hip hop can get a sense of the type of turmoil that goes on behind the scenes that can affect the progress of everybody's movement. thank you SoulSonic TV
This will be my last piece I will write about this subject, then i will move on and push forward with my wishes, and my plan to reach the BILLBOARD,

Am I relevant to Pinoy Hip Hop? Yes I am..
Am i the more relevant than others in gettin awareness and attention for filipino hip hop to reach the world internationally? by looking at the response... YOU TELL ME!

So I will remain to play my part and move forward with what I know will win at the end.
I will continue to support other positive movements that call for my presence, i will fight for what is fair, and what is right.
I will continue to speak my mind. I will not be afraid of those who try to stone the greatness of this movement.
They will never bury me without a fight, my words are relevant, the people don't lie, They will never take me down alive.
I will continue to make the effort in bridging the gaps between, old school pioneers to up and coming younger talent, camps/organizations/families of hip hop in the Pi and throughout the world, Brooklyn NYC (The Mecca) and the Philippines, the streets and the corporate world.
I feel good, much better about a lot of things because of whats happening, and what i got out of the people who I've been talking to and left comments.
It is up to me and nobody else to lead the charge without complaint. (the Crab mentality will always be there, so i will learn to go around it, make sure it doesn't get a hold of me to pull me down) I know myself, and how sincere I am with everything, and whats great is many know me for the same way I know myself.
we are keepin it moving.

Before I touched ground in the Philippines with intent of making it in the rap game, i had a reputation in my community in Brooklyn as someone who were able to bring people together. I even put up my own barber shop where it became the neutral zone for everyone to come in peace and share information, ideas, friendships. I guess it is naturally in me to be someone who prefer to bridge the gap between people rather than having everyone divided and bickering. If you take a peek at my last blog I wrote, (the first episode for SoulSonic TV, titled "WHEN I NEED HELP, I ALWAYS ASK") and take a look at everyone who responded and left comments, you will see different types of people who care about my situation.

from Nasty Nes (rapattcklives.com), KC Montero, to P DOG (who runs PROOF of D12 R.I.P label), to Fernandoe Poe Jr's son Ron.. to Australian magazine people who had so much praise for my efforts, etc etc etc its just crazy how much and how many different types of people in the world besides pinoy hip hop fans are aware of my movement, and my efforts. I like name dropping as long as I have proof that its true. I don't get big headed, Ive always kept my level of confidence at even keel (which can be sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance "KAYABANGAN DAW")

Mostly everyone that responded and are bothered by what i wrote, If you study it carefully, you will see that It was just a miscommunication thing between a lot of people. Me and Sarah Meir, which she made clear to me, and put me on my spot which I respect tremendously. even though she is probably slightly upset with me for saying what I thought, I know it's not that much of a big deal where I cant patch it up (thats my Steak Fam and they still believe in me) Artstrong, Dash and B Roc. Dash and B Roc agreed to put a compilation together for "To The Billboard Movement" to surprise me, that required a little funding which had B Roc and Dash asking artists for a thousand each for its production. Apparently Artstrong who has seniority and been through the hardest struggles with in Hip Hop in the PI hip hop industry felt that B Roc' who is one of Philippines up and coming go to producer didn't approach him with the proper etiquette. So Artstrong decided to tell his team not to support my cause, which I could never be angry about, because its not mandatory for anyone to help me, specially if i don't have money to pay anyone for their services yet, As I had in the past when I was under E-Real( who became bankrupt tied down to real estate issues in San Diego, CA..E-Real is another long story....maybe in future episode i will explain) But Artstrong and B Roc have made attempt to iron out their difference. i hope they both swallow their PRIDE, (Word to J-NUR) stated by the Quaran. "Pride is a tool of Satan to divide us human beings", I hope they communicate better and keep it moving on a positive note.
But I could just imagine what if I didn't write that blog they wouldn't know that there was such issues, they would have continued on shaking each others hand and smiling in front of each other's faces forever without knowing. (di nagkaplastikan na naman at nagkataniman ng sama ng loob habang buhay kung hindi sila nagusap).
H Town responded, although I don't understand why he would later erase his comment on the blog ,but I'm glad to see that he reads my blog in my myspace as well. and i am happy that he at least made an effort sharing what he felt about it. I beleive that H has nothing but good intentions, I never accused him of making a lot of money off the Hip Hop Awards as others had accused him of, the fact is I believe he lost a lot of money trying to build up hip hop in the PI. I spent a lot of time with this dude. I still consider him a friend, and I hope I still am to him. I understand how we parted ways a little bit. With him starting up EMPIRE which was a record label that catered to Pikaso, KrazyKyle, Young Pic, three rappers who I had encounters with in the past ( all for different reasons), so do the Math. It's only logical that he has to help out his artist more.
And he would later admit that to me, that it's business. I cant hate on that. so I handled my business and continued to make a name for myself in a rapid pace . Then H would later on announce that EMPIRE is no longer a record label , it has changed to marketing, events, and a distribution company.
I've seen H Town change his mind about a lot of things, i heard promises of Redman Method Man coming to hip hop awards, Chad Hugo of Neptunes is visiting, He could get me on the cover of pulp for hip hop edition (which i later on found out that pulp mag didn't even know who I was until i went there on my own and spoke to the Editor myself, because deep inside i felt that I was being held back, i was being politicked out of my due props, I was still close to H town at that time, and I was pushy with asking him to bring me to PULP, sometimes I could get real pushy, so when I reached inside the office with H town,guess what? Joey were showing H town the layout of the articles that would be in the magazine, AIKEE had a big page, Hip hop girls washing cars, Gloc-9 was the cover, and as he kept talkin and showing H town, they were talkin bout the deadline was sneaking up, and i was wondering why i was nowhere to be found, i was not even mentioned. I was heated at the time, but i didn't show it on the spot, making a scene on the spot would have not been a good look for me, instead i kept calm and tried to figure out quickly how i can be in the magazine..My question within myself is, "How are you going to mention the possibility of having me on the cover and then consider not even giving me an article", and I knew I was one of the most buzzin rapper at the time, if not the most; So i kept my poise, I took Joey Dizon's number (which is not familiar with the hip hop movement for he is soaked in the rock world, so H Town is the responsible voice of Hip hop when it comes to presenting current Hip Hop news to Pulp magazine)I took Joey's info myself, made an appointment to see him on my own so I could present to him what I have done, and the accolades I have accumulated in my short stay in the PI, and why I deserved way more than not getting mentioned at all.. I even had the audacity to say I belong on the cover for all the shit I am doing for hip hop sa pinas (kinapalan ko na talaga ang mukha ko) Then Joey invited me in the office once more to get interviewed; funny thing is, as the editor was interviewing me H Town has called him at the same moment talking about maybe putting Mike Swift on the smaller sections .....As Joey spoke to H Town I can't help but to smirk deep inside, "Im with him right now, Im doing an interview on him with a four page layout", Joey stated over the phone. now Joey has no idea that something might be going on, I just hinted to him the concept of how an artist can be politicked out of a situation and he looked at my stuff and evaluated and judged fairly on how he would present it(thank you sir Joey for everything, I hold that article dearly close to my heart, because I had used it to further reach what i always been longing for, and it has helped me to where i stand now, and that is close to the ultimate goal of being a recognized filipino international artist). but at that point I realized that my suspicions were correct. because H Town was running EMPIRE it was smart of him to do what he did as a business man. it was never personal, it was business with H Town. I respect that. I remained friends with him, not as close, but we chilled, played ball, smoked a few blunts. I was even responsible for bringing back his old helper, and runner, Wilson G who has helped him with a few accounts for his company, to his stable of helpers. But business is business.

I don't want beef with people, I'm too grown for that now. i realized that the Philippine hip hop industry is too poor to be wastin time on beefing. My whole purpose was to bring people as close together as possible to be one giant voice to help bring positive attention (i know im sounding like a hypocrite to some for I was responsible for having altercations with 3 different rappers in my short stay, one thing I could say about that is at least I handled it like man, instead of beefing under my breath, and talking behind each others back, we came to a conclusion because of my aggressive approach, and now i can shake their hands look at them face to face with each others respect) instead of talking shit behind their backs , pag nakatalikod tapos pag nagkita plastikan o takot. Long story for each one of them, but thats the past, i keep it moving forward.


BRIDGING THE GAP:
From Bringing Jonan Aguilar's music to Sarah Meir who was power 108 DJ at the time, to bringing Buwang of Dongalo to THE COMMUNITY, to putting God's Will (a rookie who hasn't earn the name he has earned today yet in my legendary album on the same track on the tagalog side titled Alamat (featuring Syke, MC Dash, D-Coy, Gloc-9, Francis M., and myself produced by B-Roc.....sayang i almost had kuya Drew on the same song, but he had already given me a verse for ma way, plus i didn't tell him that I had all these people in it but I tried to sneak one pass him, But legendary album is not out yet (would never come out until i have money for BILLBOARD the Movie).) So kuya Drew .. baka gusto mong magbagsak ng isang verse..hehehe.. para classic talaga!!).. Linkin B Roc closer to kuya drew who is his neighbor, to taking Lil AwAW to my mall shows ( I remember KrazyKyle telling me "Why did you bring Lil AwAw to the show for ?, ain't he Dongalo?" in my head I was like huh? This is my motherfuckin show, ill bring who the fuck I want!!) then about ten months later When I came back to the Pi from Brooklyn once more, two days fresh off the plane Francis M. let me hear a song that said "I'm mayabang like Mike Swift" and there goes for that story.... taking PBA imports to Power 108, to bringing Jimmy Muna to Tuesday troop mansion, to even introducing Young Pic to his wife who's a very good friend of Tuesday Troop, etc. etc etc.. way too many to mention..
Point blank!! I like bringing people together and bridging the gap with all types of people to have better understanding of what I feel life should be. No bias, respect towards differences, togetherness, loyalty, power in numbers, and peacefulness.

I am no saint nor I am righteous, but I have my principles in tact and never stepped on anybody's shoes to get to where im at. I have respect for everyone but fear nobody, but God. I cant wait to show everyone how much appreciation I have for those that helped me get here, I have the utmost love, respect, and admiration for our Kings of Rap .. Andrew E. and Francis M. I cant wait to tell you my views of how i got close to these two, and how I earned their praise. Although I am not in touch with them heavy as I use to be, I know that they have never turned me down when I needed help, and even offered it without me asking in the past.

These people helped me, because I helped myself. They believed in me because I believed in myself, which is something i suggest for up and coming rappers in the PI to do. I probably feel more attached to Kuya Drew, Francis M., Sarah Meir, H Town, even Toni Toni (i use to go to Rockwell church with this fool), Who I'm so mad at (not in a bad way) he's my boy, he just be dissin the brother!! I do care for their affection (pause, no homo) more than others because of these testimonies they had given me. Because of it I became who I am, they left me no room to turn back and retreat. I use to watch these testimonies everyday for a year to get inspiration from. Till this day I carry all the pressure to make sure I don't fail them, and make them proud. I still watch it to get inspired off to work even harder. I probably feel closer to them as they do towards me because of it. Here's a message to them with all honest truth, which is the only way i know how anyway, thats to be truthful.
"I am still the same person, whatever got lost in translation through the changing times, I am still the same person, i am still on track to prove that all the words you have said about me hold true. Don't let anything else stop you from believing in me"
And as for SoulSonic TV, where i had doubts in the beginning about this site not being biased, with all the variety of information you are dishing out from the past to the present that covers a lot of pinoy hip hop in the world, i have nothing but praise and respect for you. I wish you guys lots of luck and success. please never erase the haters that post up their thoughts (at least if its hate towards me, because sometimes they really tell you what they feel the truth is to them) I always enjoy their perspective, and even welcome it. Specially the ones that threaten you physically, i cant wait for them to approach me face to face, they're probably the ones that want to take a picture with you and get your autograph. LOL heheheheh hahahahah bwahahahah .lol
To The motherfuckin Billboard!!! Hollar atcha BOY!!

P.S. KUYA DREW.. sayang sana najan ako sa DONGALO RAP AWARDS !! and I NEED ONE OF THEM SHIRTS WITH YOUR FACE ON IT, yung suot ni OMAN.. ILL WEAR IT WHEN I PERFORM HERE IN NYC.
INGAT MGA KAPATID , HANGGANG SA SUSUNOD..

-Mike Swift

Note: You can also checkout Mike Swift's Myspace Artist Page for other Comments.. http://www.myspace.com/mikesweezy

To The Billboard: episode 1 "The Introduction" by Mike Swift

When I need help, I always ask for it

My career is based on people trusting in me, and helping me. Ive never been shy to ask when i needed help, and not the type to not show gratitude to those who have helped me in the past. Just know that whatever I am going to express in this composition/letter is not meant to offend, or assassinate character.

prepare for the bombs of truth to explode in the scene,
while I am starting to hear new drama, from the new generation,
i cant help but visualize a hamster running in place inside a wheel.
drawing my own conclusion, from the stories that grazed my ear,
it is clear to myself that Ive been mostly right all along.

As my boy Xander Angeles made clear to me, that being in New York separates me from all the posers in the Philippines, similar to what is going on in his side of the industry (photography), that these people are not only fighting for chump change, but fooling themselves with what tactics they will use to win against what they think they are fighting for. As much as people have intentions to make changes happen, and break thru, the difference is I am here in the belly of the beast doing it, while others could only sit back and watch , and even criticize of the way i am representing the country..

So as I maneuver aggressively in NYC daily for a shot to make significant changes that are beyond corporate control, I feel better knowing how much of my history are being ignored by the ones who has the ability to understand and help.

I spoke to ArtStrong, I spoke to B Roc, I spoke to Dash, I spoke to Sunny, I spoke to Trap, I interact with many more like Gloc, and Tuesday troop, and other artists outside the genre of hip hop..

soaking up each ones perspective, listening to their worries, and cries.

I feel hope in their voices, I smell energy in their excitement. But the bottom line is, what change can we make happen, if there is no money in the business?

when the big chunk of the small pie from the hip hop world in the PI lands in the pockets of Andrew E. and Francis M.. only. And If the next big star under those two ( Gloc9 ) has to go to school for nursing for a brighter future for his kids, what does that say about the genre....WE are broke!!! there is no money in it!! We need to generate money, make money from outside the country.

the question is how can we help. Well I figured out my solution to how I can help, and fight it, live it daily to make sure that it happens.

From speaking to Artstrong a few hours ago, I come to realize how sensitive these new breed of leaders are. all caught up in competition, instead of uniting for the cause. I admit that i can carry a pretty annoying ego when i speak strongly of what i have done, what i have changed, who i have met, where i have performed, how i manage to get the write ups and deals on my own, how i got people to help me.... but the fact of the matter is, although i am boastful of these accomplishments, the difference with me and the others are, i am telling the truth with my actions..

So it disgusts me when I see people run away from helping me glorify of these accomplishments, and turn their back on the history i am making.

Because I understand the possibilities of why the leaders in my genre are downplaying what i am doing and capable of accomplishing, i have better assessment of what I need to do. The beautiful thing is I have facts in footages to prove the journey of my truth.

I have quams to settle with Sara, H town, and those who rest under their jurisdiction. The lack of support i get from them of recent bothers me. The lack of communication we have does not help, so i am going to make an attempt with speaking my peace here.

so when something as small as ignoring my suggestions to include the videos i create with all my heart, to push forward and inform some of Sara Meir's and steak prod. followers who may not have known about me. and the respond i got is.. if my format is clear, then they will see and look and if it fits into the categories of what they are pushing,then they will consider (fair enough) and then I see artists like Flo Rida talking bout bring that booty to the dance floor, and then a (Brooklyn MC, Talib Kweli video (whom i can relate to), and then a video of a person knocking over turntables to the ground that creates chuckles; I feel very small and unimportant, because i guess my footages of me talking to Russell Simmons, recording with Suge Knight, getting praised by an icon in hip hop such as Ralph Mcdaniels, getting a write up inside a magazine from NYC, performing the same night on the same stages with respected artists in the industry of Hip Hop in the world,having followers of all races that listens to me rap in Tagalog in a venue where the only Filipino is me (and get loud applause) my struggles,my efforts , and etc. etc., after knowing that i am making big progress, and still has to be screened to be promoted by my so called family STEAK, to see if I can fit their format..then I feel like my efforts , and knowing that they know how hard of the task i am accomplishing that i clearly illustrates in some of my videos that matches their purpose of combining manila with New York is not appreciated, is not as worthy as the videos they are promoting. ( a guy falling over knocking down a turntable held more weight than me getting praised from legendary Ralph Mcdaniels, handing DVD to Pharaoh Monch, talking to Russell simmons, etc etc, )

What I am saying is , it is obvious that they are fading away from me for reasons I just don't know because they don't express to me where they see me fit. And if the reason is because i seem to always have control of where i want to go, and i always have the ball in my hands, and don't listen to anyone, then its cool. But speak to me tell me that, if it is that, and the enthusiasm they voluntarily offered is no longer there, enthusiasm that i needed to bounce off and generate energy from to able to continue my journey to what i feel will lead to greatness. Its like a child looking for love, they raised me in this industry, then turned away to let me go...i mean take a little time to make me feel included or put me in my place to where you feel i belong, or how you think you can help , not disregard me, and down play my effort.

I am appreciative still till this day of all the help and attention they use to give me when i was nobody, and the big screen that they had in Jaipur where i used to promote myself heavily under their approval (but then again , i would have made it a point to why wouldn't they? why would they rather promote scribble jam DVD's rather than their own artist that helps represent STEAK, which i honestly still do) is something that i will never forget and never fail to thank till the day that i die.

H town, who I know is a good person, because he has helped me so much in the past, is someone who I haven't spoken to.. and I can tell you stories, thats plural, of how he has deprived me of my chances to shine when i deserved to in the past. but this would require pages of explanation. And I'm sure he will tell you different, and explain how he is disappointed in me...., But why would you be disappointed in someone who goes all out to being a force that can represent what he fights for himself. I could illustrate you facts of all the lane changes he made on his way to figuring out where he really want to stand in the community of hip hop, that we are all trying to uplift, and how many broken promises made in getting to where he is standing. I know he looked at me as competition, rather than a useful tool in this battle for respect in our struggling Genre. But I could name you hundreds who stated their assumptions of H Town's wrong doings, and sideway intentions. thats another long draining story. Leaders who are not in touch with the people they are leading, catering too much to the corporate world rather than feeling out the struggling artists needs, and cries, neglecting the fact that the artists are the reasons why they have a chance to be in position to live out their own dreams. I started to feel H town's obvious coldness towards my drive and strategies to change things for the better from when I returned from recording with Suge Knight, a notorious mogul responsible for changing hip hop period, where not more than 50 people in the world can say they share the same experience. An icon that even H town himself bombarded his walls in his office/apartment with posters of this man. And yet when I returned, I don't get not even a pat on the back, a simple congratulation, if anything his first reaction was " hey mike be careful with that man, he is no good, he will cheat you " were the only reaction i got from him as if the story was not a powerful enough story for him to celebrate as well, because him helping raise me to become somebody who might have a shot at something special for hip hop in the PI, is the reason i made it to that point to where everybody that studies and know of hip hops roots know how rare a situation is for any artist to sit with Suge Knight and even shake his hand, so for a Filipino raised by the industry in the PI to reach such heights is a story that should have been pushed by those who are responsible with representing us as journalist as H is (he is writer for hip hop section at pulp/ and so is Francis M).

Toni Toni, radio DJ for magic, a friend who i spent a lot of time around, who introduced me to numerous people that helped me lead to someone who most likely helped me, who i am still thankful for the testimonies he gave me for a documentary i was putting together, who i am not afraid to say is the biggest poser, who rejects comments that i post on his page every single time i try, has been one of my main detractor and naysayer. he will tell me that in my face that Im mayabang, too big headed, too much the opposite of humble. and me mentioning his name in here just makes him too relevant when he is not that important in my world, but i thought I'd give an example of his hate some shine. I have history with these people, Toni Toni tries sooooooooooooooo hard to be a Big Star, and he cant make it.. so he wants to make sure that I don't get to the point where i become one, if that is even my main reason to be in the forefront which is not. So his words that might mean a lot to other important people that like him taints the outlook of others towards me. I am not paranoid, it is what it is. I guess being under the same umbrella as H town, i can smell the conspiracy, but this man has trouble telling the truth when he looks at himself in the mirror, so I forgive him.


I don't know man.. i could be wrong but they don't give me reason to think otherwise with their actions, and i don't believe too much in he say, she say, but Ive been around Toni to know how much he bullshit his ownself..
I also understand we are human beings, and human nature sucks when you let it get in the way of having a godly aura. I know that people are aware of the stories and the concept, specially in the entertainment industry, of how they will put you up on a pedestal to be later knocked down. not saying that this is what I feel is happening, but no one can ever knockout the possibilities.

I know for a fact that these are great people who mean well, and made big impact in the scene, and even to why my career has taken it to where i stand now. I want to make it clear t hat I love them and I appreciate them...........

so, maybe, its just a clash of misunderstandings and different perspectives of how, and what measures to be taken to get to that next level. H-Towns'S INFATUATION OF SPINNERS ON A LONG SILVER CHAIN WHICH ARE IMAGES THAT ARE PORTRAYED BY MADE artists in America, and gangster rap, and low riders, and Grillz (which i once glorified coming from Brooklyn) until i got to soak myself into music scene , and poor areas in the Philippines, then understood how shallow it is inside the third world country to think and portray this image, it just didn't make sense, i know for sure how unoriginal it was, specially it they were wearing fake imitations, It will definitely spark the biggest laugh in your face when people out here in America look at the obvious jacking of the look .

And Compared to Sara's and Banjos passion for sneakers (which i use to have in me as well), I just feel that it doesn't help my cause to promote wearing 400 dollar sneakers in the Philippines. and I am not saying that their movement doesn't hold substance, or irrelevant, and that is all they are trying to promote. Because they are after the same things I am after (maybe that is why, I don't know!!)All I am saying is , its not what I want to see my self promoting.

It is in fact the opposite of what i want to get across, maybe it is because they are so much into being a New Yorker and a Filipino-American, and I happen bleed out more of New York than they do wherever i go, and swam heavily in the physical form in the era of hip hop that they glorify so much where i can tell true stories of my experiences by being there that intimidates their movement if i ever reach the status that i long for,I don't know if that is it, and I'm able to reach masa with my Tagalog messages and they are more English speaking, I don't know!! i don't think it is it, I hope not....so me reaching my victory might threaten what they stand for now. So maybe they ignore me because they are scared that i will succeed with what i always felt was the right way to approach it, and since I've asked them first, Steak were the first people I expressed my need of help from in developing what is currently growing to be one of the most original and inspiring story hip hop will ever see in this already rich culture of it's short history.


And instead of clinging on to the concept that probably sounded so absurd to them at that point in time, they steered away from it from the jump, Sara stating that it's going to take me 3 years to reach that point, which can be right, even though i thought i was going to get it in 3 months, but here i am a year later, standing strong. and even if it took 30 years i will die proving that i will do this till death until i make it to the "BILLBOARD "( i even took a whole day out of my life to make a DVD for them to watch a lil over a year ago ,which i still have my own copy of till this day expressing my need for help in developing this picture in collaboration with STEAK which i still think and still wish to be a part of, it did sound crazy if you saw it too, so I don't blame them not embracing it fully)because it is still crazy which is why i am so relentless with raising awareness for the concept of the movement "TO THE BILLBOARD".

from a concept that was triggered by a heavy drunk conversation over "Emperador",( which is one of the cheapest brandy you can buy in the Philippines,) in the ghetto area in where my boy Slick n Sly reside in the PI, where the sight of foot long Rats, and swarming mosquitoes lurk to get a bite of your blood is common within every hour; a conversation that focused on getting my face up on a billboard, how I will dedicate my energy into turning this story of us four (Slick n Sly Kane, Sunny Blaze, Mista Blaze, and me Mike Swift) whom were present at the time, into a true story, which i will turn to a movie titled BILLBOARD, a concept that only a few of us were aware of, where i revolved my whole being around, from the albums,and the books, and the poetry and music I write. My whole Legendary album is the soundtrack to that movie, it is the movie. So for me to conceptualized this movement in the middle of QC in the Philippines over cheap liquor to reach this point where people in the world of different race is screaming "To The Billboard!!!", and over 50 songs of dedication, songs of petition that carry the messages stating that they understand me, and are behind me,and videos of believers who came across me in my lifetime, or who are connected to me somehow, artists all the way from Liberia (Africa), London, Toronto, San Francisco, Boston, LA, Every borough in NYC, Columbia, etc etc, songs that carry a lot of respect for my actions and effort to uplift hip hop period!!once again I would never let go of words that im not able to prove to be true, so everything i am saying, i can validate for.

To be able to make all these people move, contribute, glorify, scream my right to reach BILLBOARD, my movie, my Billboard in Edsa, all the way to my plan of reaching a billboard in times square where it will hold images of everyone who has been a part of my struggles, which includes even the once who i felt turned their cheek away from me, images of heroes in their own right, from photographers, grafitti writers, dancers, drug dealers, rappers, singers, parents of people who helped feed me, and shelter me, celebrities that became good friends of mine, and many many many more who has helped mold me to become someone who might be a hero to many. To be able to do what im doing off energy and determination alone, because god knows i don't have anything in my pockets but lint.

Those who are intelligent enough to see and kind hearted enough will know to help me reach my dream, my destiny.

Even if you didn't like me, and it is not about me, it is about the position I hold and placed myself where the whole world would get to see a Filipino, watch and hear music that are the fruits of my experiences in the Philippines, an original story that is not copied from americans, which usually happens in the Philippine industry, a story that i am writing with my life that glorifies the capabalities of my fellow artists/ showcasin the talent of our directors, and actors , and actresses, THEN CRYING OUT LOUD, HELP ME!! HELP ME GET TO THAT POINT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. because the day will come that I will get there regardless, and you helping me just helps me get there faster.

If you only knew how hard it is to get respect as a filipino artist in New York, and to have the response that I get starting off with my DVD "GET JAYZ FOR mE" which shows so many faces of our talents, a story that contains so much strong messages hidden behind it's comedy, my gift to helping our country to be recognized, a DVD that I worked hard all my life to reach up to , a DVD that I got to place in stores across the world, a set up to what is to come....

A fucking DVD that caught the attention of SPIKE LEE, where I might have a chance to be backed financially by, If you only knew how many miles I traveled to this point of no return, maybe you would be if not supportive, at least a lot nicer and cheerful for what i am trying to accomplish.

What can I say inspired me to write this is a conversation with Artstrong who expressed to me why he hasn't been able to make his song for the "to the billboard", in which i felt should have been given to me a long time ago, for he is the type of talent and person, who can help carry out what I hope to happen. And because of the relationship i had with him in making music, and sharing the vision of how we can stretch towards our goals as individuals. He has plans of how he can help which is different in how I can help, but we are on the same page, or I thought we were until the conversation.

He then stated that he has gathered all important people in one room to join forces in representing and blowing up Hip-Hop in the Philippines in ASIa or the world. the sound of his excitement for the gathering is so obvious and contagious

so when i brought up how he saw me fit in, i felt that he wasn't fully aware of what i am trying to do as well, which was cool with me, so I explained.. there we are back on the same page really fast once more, for he was there from the beginning when i was putting this concept together, he knows me well enough that i would do whatever it takes, and believes in my capabilities in getting it done, because I proved to him by paying him for the work that he done for me once i landed a deal with E REAL RECORDS (long Story) that i keep my word. The problem he said that might have been the reason why some of these people are alienating me and pushing me out the picture is because of the misrepresentation of the project I sparked" BILLBOARD" by a trusted friend of mine who helped guide me more creatively with its direction more than anyone, the person who glorifies the movement along with SUNNY BLAZE (who you guys are sleeping on as a major star for our country, ill prove that shit to ya later, i know its far fetch, but watch!) my boy B Roc of Turbulence Productions.

Artstrong's story is that B Roc was going around collecting money for my movement BILLBOARD (which is your movement as well) for a video, or whatever it is, and it ticked off some of the artists who are offended by the thought of paying to somebody to be able to feature on something.. which i understood.

this again would trigger my imagination of a hamster inside a wheel running in place.

I told Artstrong I would never ask anyone for money, i would take it if they volunteered it, can't say no to grace, but i would never ask anyone for money to be a part of something, which is something that im guessing B Roc had put together, cause i don't really know about at at all.

So I haven't got to the bottom of this story, but I was able to tell Artstrong is that nobody has a monopoly on any MIKE SWIFT project,I represent Myself first, and those who choose to represent me is welcome to as long as its leads towards the positive direction of the main goal, BILLBOARD the MOVIE!!, I mentioned to him how B-roc has been very supportive and a trusted friend who knows the strength and purpose of why and how I put it together.

Then i also I cried towards Artstrong to represent me and the movement heavy in the way that B-Roc is doing, and Sunny, and J HEEZ, and LONDON bABY, and Dash, and Jae Spillz, and F DUB( who got a tattoo for the cause, its Crazy!! )and many more who clinged on to the concept.

What comes to my mind? battle of camps, and Artstrong telling me the story of B-Roc holding on to the movement with my name in the forefront asking for money ticked off the other artists and pushed them outside of the purpose that i am trying to preach which is power in numbers towards one direction, Unity.

I didn't erase the fact that it is possible that some of these artists, maybe even artstrong himself views me as competition, i let art know that, i don't count any possibilities out. People are people, we are haters, envious, selfish, we are crabs, I know that deep inside some of these artists who will find any excuse to go against someone to not be left outdone, or beat. scared to be left behind, scared for the next man's success. We are fucked up. And I am lucky enough to have made so much effort in bringing people together, and making money for some for their own cause, that i can go on for days talking bout how I brought H town to andrew e so kuya drew can be part of the second annual hip hop awards which happened, I had Sunny (Urban Flow)record with Jawtee (Dongalo), i had a Dongalo artist who hated Syke so much when he didn't know even know him as person and went by what Andrew was sayin bout him, him shake his hand, I made Tuesday troop a brand in hip hop to be reckon with by bringing, people from Texas, London, Australia, singers, tattoo artists blah blah blah blah all in one place... look at all my footages and see what kind of energy and unity i bring, and i still can prove that i still do that with artists here in Brooklyn, all race, different languages, nationalities in one movement that was birthed by the Philippines through me.

I don't need to explain so much about the fucking changes I brought to the table, the attitude, and energy i contaminated the scene with. I am a leader by action, not by title.

Artstrong explained with positive vibes how he gathered MALAYA, (tol, kahit anong sabihin nila sa yo tungkol sa akin, kung hindi maganda, wag kang makikinig at maniniwala, ako pa rin ito, kapatid mong si posporo, salamat sa lahat!!) Sara Meir, H Town, Jerry Garcia, Richard Gutierrez, in one room to plan for next years awards.

He was telling me how he put H Town in his place, that there must be unity, that H TOWN made a lot of money on an event (HIP HOP AWARDS, a ceremony that i swear to god, i made a promise not to support until it is in order to help unite, not separate everyone) that suppose to bring and help the genre rise up to a level where it will help develop artists to be recognized by the world. Artstrong said that they suggested for H town or H suggested himself to handle just the marketing side of things, and make it a collaborative effort to make sure that the next one is more successful to reach out further and cater to the artists that make it possible rather than the corporate monsters that taint its main purpose.

and Artstrong mentioned how Sara wants to focus on promoting hip hop in the night clubs, that they will make attempt to play OPM (hate this term) as long as its not baduy. Which I then reiterated will never change until rap artists in the PI start making serious money. Too long to explain the mechanics of why rappers must have money to change that whole shit around, but I know for sure , besides good music, its going to take truck load of money to change things around. but still have to make that effort nomatter what just for good moral for some artist who get to hear their music that they made from the heart on the dancefloor.like how I felt when i use to hear my song Thump in Jaipur.( and still hear the song and watch the video produced and directed by Arbie 1 inside the most known strip club in the world where major celebrities and professional athletes hang out in, SCORES..and i have footages in youtube to prove it)

"Where does Richard Gutierrez stand? ", i asked artstrong." he has the power to promote it on television,and get major companies to invest money into the drowning market of hip hop in the PI.." artstrong stated. And I know how broke that scene is , I speak from experience, the damage i made with how i came up from the bottom as a newcomer and able to land the biggest gigs a hip hop artist can make is quite legendary (they will say so as well), and still catch me in Glorietta selling DVD's and Mixtapes hand to hand (ask owner of MTV Francis Lumin, Direk Dom of Captain Barbell ,Toti who runs the independent label that put out Up Dharma Down, they bought one from me) , so i can pay my rent,is one of the reason, and example how I got to calculate the necessary steps on how I personally can improve every aspect of the game in hip hop sa pinas. because i studied every angle..... So any attention that Richard can give towards hip hop can certainly help specially if it is constant, and consistent.

"How about Jerry Garcia (next level management)? "Artstrong mentioned how he can help put our music online, this is definitely healthy because the internet is where the money is for recordings nowadays, nobody sells cds in the PI, the record company business is dying , its comatose. so this will definitely help. its all about making and generating money, which means everyone has to work in one cylinder, as a team as a whole, everybody, including Francis M. , and Andrew E, who has to be the most competitive motherfuckers I have ever seen in this world, I love them and idolize them for it.. over 20 years of monopoly, legend fuckin Dary!! but they run away from the responsibilities of fully using their power to help reach the next level, because they know the headaches thats attached to the negative and ignorant ways of some people in this genre. plus they are family men with different agendas, so I understand why these pioneers rather it stay the way it has been for them. Francis has 8 kids and feel unappreciated when he looks at how much money he should have in the bank account for everything he has done for Pinoy Hip Hop, he is our king and will fight to remain that is only natural, and same goes for Andrew E.

Kids need a new hero though, the next generation needs more voices who they can relate to and can feel, we need to find the right artists and groom them, and inspire more to become those who are making chage, artists with character and strong principles who is open minded to the possibilities of what the future can bring if we made them believe.

However, because of all the broken promises I have heard in the past, my defense mechanism reacts differently to how I should accept the potential of this organization's purpose. These are all leaders in their own right, A lot of egos, and I didn't elaborate on how Arbie One, and his Camp would react, Lock Down, Dongalo, Ampon, Rappublic, 6000 Goonz lead by (DICE of Dice and K9), and B Roc/turbulence, who seem to be making strides of their own by traveling outside the Philippines and meeting and collaborating with international artists. They will feel like they have a say so and belong to be pushed. Im just putting as much as I can out there, and there is much more variables that comes into play that will be hard to shift if there is no money to be shared. The focus needs to be getting money in the circle where everyone can afford the resources needed to compete, instead of igniting petty beef that will never end if no one is getting paid

ALL I can say is I have something special, that will definitely point all eyes on us in due time, and i plan to bring a lot of cash into our system. I am making history, I do try my best to represent filipinos in a genre where it is mandatory to be able to handle dirty laundry, a genre that is so tied heavily into getting street credentials, swagger, ability, courage, and to be able to be recognized here in brooklyn, where i have a few magazine write ups, and accolades coming my way, which will help me reach the Billboard faster, it is something that needs to be celebrated.. this is our shit!!!

Im in a position where i already earned the hearts of many in the Philippines where its too late to throw dirt in my name, i gave too much love to many, and physically fought when i needed to show how fearless i am when i fight for the majority who knew I was right. (at tagalog , tagalog to chong!! batangueno chong, wag kayong matakot tulungan ako chong!! and youll see .)

you are not going to find many artist in the Philippines who can compete and in the position im in. what can you lose by helping me out? what would the problem be if i asked to be on a cover of a magazine, or my face on a billboard, is it such a sin, when i demand for my right to belong? Have I ever stepped on anyones shoes to get to where i am now? tell me if I have, communication is key. Who worked harder and still stay without sleep in order to reach the possibilities of the far fetch for many?

and as much as we dwell on gathering everyone to be in tuned so we can reap benefits from the corporate world, One thing that I know a lot of us forget is that its all about the people. We cant forget the artists that are making attempts from the squatter areas in tondo who manage to save everything from their winnings in rap contests to be able to assemble a small studio and express themselves through their music, regardless of how behind they sound to what is current, the little kids rapping in the corner about being mistreated by the system, you cant forget the movements in Baguio, Bacolod, Pampanga, Batangas city, these are places that i went to and spent time understanding, not just Manila.

These are the kids who buy and support the music, the poor people, they appreciate it a lot more. they are our foundation, and I think that when you focus on catching up with what is going on outside of our own country is when we forget what we are suppose to be glorifying,loving, grooming, drawing inspiration from everywhere but more so from our own .

we negate ourselves of our chances to unite and rise when we start looking at each other as competition.

whether you believe me or not, it isn't going to change what I believe I know.

I know I will get this one million dollars eventually. Because I will work hard to find someone who I can convince with the blueprint i put together.

And If you guys can cater to and help my cause , and all you have to do is be assertive and ask me how you can help me reach this goal. Together we will get to inspire many,We will get to help many, its in my blood, and in my actions to show how much im willing to die for the chance to prove I am right. I have touched many lives already without putting out an album, (without having significant amount of money to live comfortable, I still sleep if not on the floor, but on the couch of my friend J HEEZ in Brooklyn),

so if your imagination can take me as far as i do for myself, and see the big picture that lies ahead, then you can help me create magic for others as all of you had done for me.

Please believe that i have nothing but good intentions for everything that I do, and if you read some of the letters that i get from Filipinos all over the world who gets to watch my efforts on the internet. you too will see why i know i have the power that i have to make people believe. They are my reason to persevere.

Help me make this as special as it can be.

Thank you.

I love all of you (pause, no homo ),and I don't care if you believe me or not. Regardless ,nobody is going to stop me from reaching what I promised for myself and others.

TO THE BILLBOARD, its just a matter of time

Video Drop: Mike Swift

This is One of the Latest Video from M. Swift. Yeah we all know that you already knew that he is the YouTube King in the Local Hip-Hop Scene..So i think we gotta give props to his hard work & passion to put the philippines on the International..That is why To The Billboard-SoulSonic Exclusive is in the work right now.. Watch Out for that !! Plus we gonna keep you updated on his YouTube Videos.. But for now See him at YRB magazine's Photo Shoot... enjoy..

B-Roc Interview !!!

Turbulence Productions has risen to the center stage in the local Hip-Hop scene and is one of the biggest forces right now. Everything they touch is golden. We've seen what B-Roc and the Gang's done with Mixtapes like "B-Sides" and "Philippine Phenom," and the positivity that's been brought about by "The Community" events. But what's going on behind the scenes and in the mind of the man himself is a mystery. So here we are, with a quick one-two with Boss Bong himself on the lowdown on Turbulence, "To The Billboard" and his input on the local Hip-Hop Music Community as a whole.

SOL: We're here with B-Roc of Turbulence for a quick Q-n-A. First of all, I'd like to thank Bong for taking the time to answer a few questions. How did you guys think up the name "Turbulence"?

B-Roc: Whats good man? Thanks for giving me the time and for being open to this. Well,it used to be a abbreviation for something, and yeah some people might still know it. It was supposed to be SouthBreeze Productions, that was one I was really considering. But yeah, I figured not be territorial with it cause it only limits the scope of the music and branding something like that filters the audience. We came up with Turbulence cause really, we came in at a time where the trend was to get signed and wait to get put on. We caused Mad Turbulence by being one of the most stable independent labels around.That sort of tipped the scale for everyone to move to that direction.


SOL: Bring up the local Hip-Hop community today and you can't get one sentence in without hearing the name Turbulence brought up. How do you think Turbulence stacks up against some of the other labels out there? Who are your favorites in terms of sound and lyricists?

B-Roc: Good question, my whole frame of mind ever since I started was to be a fan of the music. And I think thats why people mention us so much, its cause we are genuine fans of this Hip-Hop shit. We collect ourselves and humble ourselves by going to shows, events of things we know we are a fan of and its our reality check all the time. Plus we try to raise the standard on what you thought "Filipino Hip-Hop" is limited too. We really put the bench mark up so high and we continue to do that even against our old accomplishments. We love the Philippines so much, that we take pride and we are very careful in what we plant as a seed.
Sound wise? Audible, Los Indios Bravos, Miscellaneous are top billing that department as of the moment. They are able to standout and blend in at same time. Protege is one dude that in any day when he's not too busy with other stuffs and concentrates on his beats will give me a run for my money. Of course, I'm a fan of that Boom Bap sound, besides Chrizo and Traumatik, I'd have to give it to Lowkey, DJ Arbie, DJ Umph and Juss Rye.
Lyricism? Outside my camp? Aceone, Ali of BBClan, Klutch B, Basilio of Crazy As Pinoys, Loonie, Xplicit, Mike Swift, Labo, RonThug, ILL-J, Peoples Future, Klumcee, Audible, Delphi of Misc., PKSO and yeah AERO!! Best believe it he is one of the hottest lyricist outside my camp. Let me tell you about some talents that I think the scene is missing out on. And as part of being a fan I am here to give to light to maybe, some of the best you will never get to hear. I was priviledged enough to see them at work and whats sad is they weren't in their prime. Shout outs too Arkane, Limbs, Haven, Wordwrath, ProofPositive and Jeff Demarco. This were the people who molded me and my way of thinking growing up in the scene.


SOL: I've heard a few B-Roc verses, but not since Lowkey have we seen local production been pushed to such quality. I think you've inspired a lot of cats to step up their production values on their records. Who are your influences as far as production goes? Both Local & Foreign.

B-Roc: Foreign -Just Blaze, Kanye West, Diamond D, The Neptunes, Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, Teddy Riley, Akon, AMP Live, Easki, DJ Clark Kent, Les, Eminem and Large Professor. Locally, I'm a fan of everybody but let me tell you Quaizy and Lowkey got me started with this whole production thing. They helped me develop and re-develop, might not be hands-on but I attribute all the I've become by hanging around them through tough times. Chrizo, Traumatik, Chano and Black are my current influences, even being in a label we exhibit a friendly competition and they have been knocking beats hard as of late. DJ Umph, Tibbz, Rondalla Camino, Juss Rye, DJ Arbie Won, Protege and Jedli have been making me play tracks more than twice.


SOL: Got any tips for wannabe producers who wanna get into the game?

B-Roc: Hmmm, invest in yourselves. Whether its a piece of equipment, or a piece of toy for your studio, do it. Find that sound that you want and create a mess with it, only then can you really piece a whole beat together. The difference between Beatmakers and Producers is producers see the song through, we sit in there and navigate the song till it gets done. Envision your beats as songs and construct them like so. Respect the power of the beat, the beat should be striking as a audible story even before the lyrics come in. And yeah, don't believe the hype, buy the MPC if you have the funds and time to study on it. If not don't limit yourself to equipments and softwares. You are only as good as you say you are. It's not what you use, but how you use it.


SOL: Would you guys ever think of breaking into the International Hip-Hop Market?

B-Roc: I would say we already have. We've performed alongside Jin The MC, Loon of Bad Boy Records and shared headlines with them in Taiwan. We have Forensic Science, Mike Swift, Hasan Salaam (The Source Nov. 2006) on tracks with Marquiss. We had Sevenes come to the country to come and check out the scene and performed at The Community show. So as much as these cats are international to us, we are international to them in the very essence of what international is. Every artist has that goal and its a matter of how open to you wanna break into that market, and yes hell yeah we wanna break the international barrier wide open. I do believe we can, we all can.


SOL: I know Mike Swift has been in New York doing something called the "To The Billboard" campaign. Tell us about that.

B-Roc: "To The Billboard" is a song for movie Mike Swift will star on with Slick n Sly Kane, Mista Blaze and Sunny Blaze. He went to my house to lace up a song and he shared the idea he had rolling the night before. I played him a beat that I thought was how but was passed on by most of my artists. We knocked the song right there and conceptualized on the movie and built it right there. And now its a multi-faceted product, and you'd be blind to not see its worth to the market, and to you as a Filipino Hip-Hop fan. It's what we need right now, a project full of creativity, passion and so against the grain. It's a tail of hope, the movie I mean, but really its what we all need as hiphop artists to break into that bigger scene. It's to be multi-dimensional and that what Mike exudes each and every time. "To The Billboard" has been a song campaign now all over the world with almost 30 songs done for that movement alone. "To The Billboard Philippines MIXTAPE" is spearheaded by me and Dash. A billboard is a symbol of your dream or at list in Manila. Some people base success on getting a billboard. Some people want a record deal, we wanted that billboard. Everybody passes by EDSA, imagine if you have a billboard there. Even your enemies or critics would be passing there everyday looking up to you. And it being a movement, imagine how we felt when almost a year ago, Sept 28 Milenyo brought some of em to their knees, but now what? Mike is really pushing hard for this symbol to reach the heads of other people.

SOL: So when's "Legendary" gonna come out anyway? Any news on that?

B-Roc: Legendary will be out real soon. It's gonna be pretty hard to top. Timing is everything for Mike Swift and I respect that Zen. Half of everything thats great and real is timing.


SOL: Now, "The Community" events has been an integral part in uniting the local Hip-Hop scene. Before last year's Community, I never thought artists from different camps could ever collaborate with each other. That's how badly segregated Hip-Hop was in the Philippines. Now we got like...artists like Blacksheep from Dongalo collaborating with Hotnixx from your camp. It's amazing. How did you guys come up with the concept/idea?

B-Roc: "The Community" is a team effort. Nathan J (On The Ground Music) and my company brainstormed on that event and I guess its what everybody was waiting for. We were lucky to be supported by everyone, cause anyone could do it. But I don't think anyone could've done it within the scope on how we did it. We came up with the idea before we flew for Taiwan, and after that experience outside, it brought us closer to giving back to the people and making them work together. I think the raffle we put up was integral to the scene. D-Coy got Mic from AMPON's beat in the raffle and let me tell you, they have never met and yet the song they came up with "Wika" is Dcoy's claim to reviving his love for writing. Syke walked up to me asking "Magaling ba tong si Kevin?" and guess what "Ang Lungsod" was a hit and they have made at least 3 songs together. The Community even brought out Ritchie Paul of the now defunct Iced Out Records, sad to say he disrespected the opportunity but at least everybody knows now how to deliver.


SOL: What about The Community CD/DVD? Release date? Give us a thread of hope!

B-Roc: I am pushing with every muscle for that to see the light of day. Toti Dalmacion of Terno Recordings wanted to release it, but its taking too long. Some labels are keen to listen but nothing substantial has been put down. Empire wanted to help with it, but we're still looking to have it distributed with other options. Anybody who wants to executively produce The Community 1 CD? Holla at me, we don't want much as far as sales, we just want to put it out. The DVD would have to wait for DVD's 1 & 2 all in one package. Please keep the hope, we really wanna put it out soon.

SOL: Who are your favorites in the game right now? Both locally and internationally.

B-Roc: Interntionally - Common, Big L, Termanology, Jay-z, 50 Cent's I Get Money joint is my song right now, Talib Kweli and some more cats. Locally - Nimbusnine, God's Will, Marquiss, PHD, Aero, Hotnixx, Quest, PKSO, Stick Figgas, Ronthug, Sinag, Peoples Future, Artstrong, Dcoy's new album is going to be crazy and for someone who did Mike Swift's Legendary, I think its fire!


SOL: Why did you guys decide to go Independent? It seems to be the trend in the music industry these days, not just locally, but internationally, many bigwigs are saying that Independent is the best way to go. What can you say about that? Any advice to newcomers to the game? Are signing to big time labels really played out?

B-Roc: Of course not, but if you are going to sign up with them, with no form of stability they will eat your artistry off. You run the numbers game independently first and get it right. Then when you get enough numbers run with it with a major label. Then you have now access to their database and you're spending their money. It really depends what you want to acomplish in the game. The Philippines is a whole new playing field, all theories, all these foreigners think they can takeover in the Philippines usually flop cause they patronize the whole other game in the west. Here its really about planting seeds, I think some older cats got a bit stingy as far as lifting up the window in which we could get into labels. But when we started it wasn't so much of the in thing to do. Now with technology we see kids posing with their Mics and Midi Equipments and claim to be an independent label. Live up to what independent really means, which is to be cutting edge in terms of sound, quality, marketing schemes etc.


SOL: What do you think of the music industry in the Philippines as a whole? Lots of people seem to have given up hope. What's your message to all the pirates out there?

B-Roc: The pirates, I'm with you. I understand that we are living in a third world country and money is always an issue. I believe that I have enough talent and creativity to outlast them in any way. Our label is music based but we aren't Music/CD dependent. Our means to be creative isn't boxed up to CD's. Piracy is even free promotion from Luzon to Mindanao that even your label won't provide. So it really is about how you look at it. Plus, the process of getting paid should be started with the process of paying. Some artist complain about they are being robbed of their profits cause of piracy when in the first place they did not even pay for the beat they made a hit with. Do you get me?


SOL: Let's talk about "No Hip-Hop in the Philippines." Your take?

B-Roc: There is.

SOL: What local acts did B-Roc listen to growing up? Who were your hometown heroes so to speak?

B-Roc: Andrew E, Francis M, Mastaplann, Legit Misfitz, Rapskallion, Cyphasis, Death Threat, SVC, 7Shots, Madd Poets, Dongalo Wreckords, Kulay and whole lot more.


SOL: What do you think about A.P.L.? I hear he's setting to make a full-length tagalog album soon, and even thinking of reaching out to local rappers for guest spots. Bebot... good or bad?

B-Roc: Bebot- good for the Fil-Ams in the states, it really got them together and built a sense of belongingness within their very diverse racial environment. Bad cause for one, you went to the states when you were 14 meaning your foundation for tagalog was solid and the best you could come up with was "Bebot"? I got people in Tondo who are 14 and could out rhyme him. APL doing an album? Make all your claims legit. Want to guest a Filipino MC? Producer? You are very much welcome to hit me up and I will vouch for the best emcee for a good song topic. And what make a song about how Filipino I am? I already know that. Do you hear Americans proclaiming they're Americans in songs? Give me something fresh. Even my idea of a song for a Filipina "Bebot" wouldn't have phrases like "Chicken Adobo" "Pagkumakain nagkakamay"; but props to him. He brought the light up, now all we gotta do is play the politics as well and shine bright. Props to APL and his team, it still is a feat on its own.


SOL: Lastly, got any previews of the rest of 2007 or even 2008? What products have you guys got under your sleeves? Any hot albums about to drop?

B-Roc: Mike Swift, Nimbusnine, God's Will "Three Kings CD", Chrizo and Marquiss presents "G.R.A.E.", Hotnixx "Makapangyarihan", PHD "Destined for Greatness", Nimbusnine "Manila Boy", Turbulence Productions "Tippin'The Scale", The Community CD 1 & 2 and more. We work hard on our shit.


SOL: Once again, thank you for your time. Local Hip-Hop is definitely much better with Turbulence's presence. We building!

B-Roc: Thank you for bridging the gap. Definitely we are a growing team. Salamat !! Love is love !! and yeah check out some downloadables at http://threadspilipinas.multiply.com Some unheard of songs are there. PEACE!!!


Interview done by: SOL
For More Infos Check Out:
http://www.myspace.com/irocbeats
www.turbulenceproductions.net
http://www.myspace.com/turbulenceproductionsmusic