"I feel very happy and blessed, to just even have the fanbase that I do have...and if this is where it ends or if this is the pinnacle of it all, then it's more than I could really ever ask for..." - Hopie
Last month, we were graced with a semi-impromptu visit from the immense Bay area-based Hip Hop force - HOPIE. Having left as a child and before any point of recollection, this trip served as her first real bonding experience with Manila. While newcomers tend to go through the standard culture shock, the petite femcee seemed to find her footing here from the moment she stepped onto Philippine soil. She was able to speak our native tongue (though she swears her "accent is f*cked up"), soak in her surroundings, and get down with the music scene for sure.
The Hip hop in Her, Cafe808 and Soulsonic TV were fortunate enough to connect with this talented lady in a 3-way collaborative coverage of her stay here. In our sit-down interview with her at Kerplunk Studio, we were able to pick her brain on her growth as a fresh artist with Diamond Dame to her true self in Raw Gems to her being"a rappin' ass person" that plans to keep putting out music. Before hitting the booth with a heavy-duty performance of "Trunk (Remix", we proceeded to cover an array of topics with Hopie about who she is down to the core, her thoughts on being a female in a male-dominated industry, her dream collaboration, etc. Most importantly, how she felt right at home with her roots.
Watch HOPIE perform live tomorrow at B-Side Feb. 3, 2012 -10PM plus dj sets by: RED-I, • DON P, • CALIPH8, • DJ JENA live art by: Dj Paeste and on Feb. 8, 2012 tune into CAFE 808 @ http://www.sarisarisounds.com/ for the interview and watch out for the videos @ http://the-hinh.blogspot.com/ and here at SoulSonic
Hip hop veteran artists, event organizers, philanthropists...you name it. For a decade now, Jug Honeyluv and Gazelle, better known as Butta-Flava, have contributed a tumultuous amount of good will to the industry. So much so that they have often put others before them in hopes of providing support for unseen and unheard talents as well as promoting charity for the children born of hip hop families. It is this selflessness and genuine passion that has seen these two through the years and have kept them relevant to all of us. In fact, I feel that they are the Godmothers of Pinoy Hip hop,(READ MORE..)
G-Class Ent. and W1KA presents "Women Stand Against Hiv" this Friday, August 26 at 7:00pm -@ Fever Luxe Lounge (Sofitel Philippine Plaza-CCP COMPLEX Roxas Blvd. Pasay City, Philippines)
Entrance 200 [w/ 1 Drink] DRESS TO IMPRESS!!!
-STRICT DRESSCODE- No Tshirt, No Shorts, No Hat
Performers: Mizz Snapper, Monique, Doreen, Kat of Sinosikat, Chelo Aestrid, May, W1ka Artists, Plus the Special Guest: Singapore-Canadian Rapper "Masia One"
Special Guest Speaker: PNAC Representative Jug of BFE
Hosted by Ms. Patrice
Beats By: Artstrong and Dj Joker
FlipTop presents: Mindfields X Process of ILLumination (HipHop night and English Conference Tryouts)
Friday, August 26, 2011 - 9 pm. - P100 Entrance
Process of ILLumination - English Conference Tryouts. 8 emcees who passed the first leg of the tryouts
Format will be announced on the day itself! - P500 entrance fee for battle pot
Performances, Open Mic, Live Jam
BUTTA-FLAVA ENTERTAINMENT & THE PINOY HIPHOPPAZ ORGANIZATION (PHH Org)in cooperation with THE PINOY HIP HOP AND R&B COMMUNITY Present
HUSTLE FOR JAZLYN - A PINOY HIPHOPPAZ PROJECT
[A Benefit Event for Baby Jazlyn TO HELP HER OBTAIN HER LIVER TRANPLANT. ]
this Saturday, August 27, 2011, 7:00pm @ A-Cue-Stick Billiards & Restaurant
(1154 Chino Roces Ave. (formerly Pasong Tamo), Brgy. San Antonio,Makati City, Philippines)
ENTRANCE/TICKET: P200 w/1 drink -ENTRY FEE TO PLAY & RAISE FUNDS VIA TOURNAMENT: P200
HIP-HOP/R&B PERFORMANCES + BILLIARD TOURNAMENT + FUNDRAISING EVENT for Baby Jazlyn's Life-Saving Liver Transplant
Doors open and Registration starts at 7PM., PERFORMANCES START AT 8PM SHARP!
SUPPORTERS INCLUDE: BLEED, LEGIT MISFITS, JAZZE MANUEL, RAPSKALLION, BUTTA-FLAVA, BEBE RIZ, THINKER TSINO, TRUPLAYA, SZPHELL, MYRA, DAIGO THE UNTOUCHABLE, YANNIEBOY & APPLE BONE, BALIKWAZS, ILAYA, WEEDMAN, CINCO, 8TH DISTRICT, MACKOY, ONEVOICEASIA Records, MIKK MERCEDES, F.L.O.C.K., ILAYA, SIGAW NG TONDO, DRP, JHAY-C REVELUS, NUESTRA FAMILIA, X-DEAL VIGILANTES, MARY
Having just released their first video single, On the Grind off their debut album Headlines: Issue #1, People’s Future (PF) has further established their mission of moving the industry; the inception of which came about just a few years ago. In that time, PF has received acceptance from fellow artists and audiences of all calibers. Veterans have deemed them “neo-SVC”, new school artists have built camaraderie with them, and fans have learned a thing or two about the heights that Filipino hip-hop can reach once more.
I took the liberty of having a sit-down interview with the powerhouse – beat genius/hip-hop quotable Jed Kenneth Caba aka JedLi, lyrical patriot Brian Pascual aka Verb and lispy, thought-provoking Michael Saldana aka Gap. Read on for deeper and more personal insights on the group that has pushed an undeniably growing number of hip-hop heads to get their “mind on the grind”. MO: You just launched your first video "On The Grind" – a completely solid and unique piece of work by Director Kevin Vea. What can you say about the audience's reception?
Verb: Most of the people who saw the video like it a lot. Even I’m overwhelmed about its outcome. I give all the props to Kev for doing a great job!
JedLi: I think a lot of them were impressed. Kevin did an amazing job & people DO look better in HD (laughs).
MO: What message did you want to convey and do you think that message was delivered?
Gap: Sa video, gusto naming pakita na hindi mo kelangan ng mamahaling kagamitan at production team para makagawa ng isang astig na music video. Ang kelangan mo lang ay isang astig na camera, at isang magaling na direktor at editor. Yun lang! Let the world around you be your inspiration! A lil’ bit of SWAG juice helps a lot too (laughs).
JedLi: The chant-like chorus we got goin' on in our song says it all. We're grinding every moment of our lives. Whether it be school, day-job, chores, legally/ illegally hustling, even thinking is in the process of grinding. I'm just hoping that people will begin to open up their minds to Hip Hop... Philippine Hip Hop to be exact.
MO: How do you feel when half of your audience can say "you've come a long way", yet the other half is just discovering you guys and views you like an overnight success?
Verb: I feel weird because I don’t even think we reach that far yet. We got some recognition but we haven’t reached our main goal.
Gap: I think we’ve come a long way as a group. We started out at a pretty young age, and we’ve been together for almost 6 years now. We had our share of ups and downs (personal and music sh**), but despite all that we still stuck together as a unit, as a family! And that affected our music. The beats and the rhymes became extensions of our lives, and thru that you could see the progression from us being rebellious, naive teens to men who are aware of everything that is happening around us. In terms of the music industry though, were still in the process of “scratching the surface”. Everyone’s entitled to their own views and opinions. We just hope that we could prove them wrong, so they could be part of the first half of the audience.
MO: Would you say that your drive and focus is still reminiscent of when you guys started out or has it changed completely? How so? Are you on the same "grind"?
JedLi: Of course. It's a little bit of both. We always look back in our journey & celebrate it. But just like software & machines we have to upgrade our formula in order to adapt in this fast-changing world. The grind may change a bit but the essence & the drive will always be there.
MO: As People's FUTURE, do you believe that your music will outlive you? Are you confident enough to say that your music is classic material and that it will still be relevant in the future? Please elaborate.
Directed By: Dj Umph of Miscellaneous
Verb: That’s part of our mastaplann! We want to replace Tito (Gap), Vic (Me), and Joey (Jed). Will it be relevant in the future? Yes, because people would still have to be “on the grind” to live.
JedLi: I'm hopeful about our music because I'm confident in what we can do as a UNIT & Individuals. If it does outlive me, Gap, & Scoop [Verb] then that's great too but it doesn't really matter actually because all that matters is if people appreciate what we do for Philippine Hip Hop & if we do make an impact in everyone of our listener's lives.
MO: They say that artists struggle to come up with music when they're generally happy in life. Is there some sort of angst that exists in your lives that drives you to make music?
Gap: I wouldn’t say angst, but we are struggling right now. That’s why a lot of people could relate to our music, because nowadays everyone is struggling. We’re not superstars or big time ballers. Were just like everyone else. If only they knew, we’re JUST LIKE YOU…
JedLi: Most of the time, it's an emotional thing. When I'm feeling a certain emotion, I want to express it and music happens to be a great outlet, obviously. I put my soul into the music I create. I learned that from the past great musicians that left their marks.
Verb: That can be true, but see we live in the Philippines! I love my country, but its sucks to be here! This is also why we’re making music, because we want to help change this f**ked up place.
MO: What keeps you guys grounded? Who or what would you refer to as your rock?
JedLi: The world and everything in it. There are so many people on this planet and a lot of good & evil happening at once. Let's put it this way: everyday to me is like a movie with all the drama, action, comedy, & even horror. I'm after that "new beginnings with happy endings" kind of thing.
Verb: My goals.
Gap: Family keeps us grounded. And since we are all brothers and sisters, that should be enough reason and inspiration to “stay grounded”.
MO: You guys have worked with quite an impressive roster of artists like ILL-J, RBTO, Mic, God's Will, Marquiss, et al. for Headlines Issue#1. Who would you want to work with for Issue#2?
Gap: Tao Aves, Nyko Maca, Jonan Aguilar, Denmark, Clutch B, Loonie, Glock 9, Freddie Aguilar, Pinikpikan, The Philharmonic Orchestra! Oh, and Juliane Taroja! Mmhhhhmmmmmm
Verb: Sakin Mastaplann, Down Earf, Ali of BB clan. Cause I’m a fan!
JedLi: Andrew E., Nyko Maca, Quest, Protege, Mastaplann, LDP, Loonie, & Jonan Aguilar. There's a lot more.
MO: When you are interviewing for an Ivy League college, you are asked the infamous "which icon, living or dead, would you invite for dinner" question. Instead, I'll ask you: which 5 musical icons, living or dead, would you invite to do a track with you guys?
Verb: As of now 5. Dr. Dre, 4. Nas, 3. Wu-Tang, 2. The Roots Crew , and 1. Francis M.
Gap: I would invite Bob Marley, Tupac, Nujabes, Dong Abay, and Chrisette Michele! Why? Ask me personally when you see me. ☺
JedLi: In no specific order: 1. Geological [Blue Scholars], 2. Notorious B.I.G., 3. J Dilla, 4. Bill Evans, and 5. The Roots
MO: Finally, what should your fans expect next? Message to your supporters.
Verb: Expect the worst! Making music here in the Philippines is tough! We’re done doing free shows for muthaf**kers who make money inviting us to perform and don’t give us anything in return! I don’t want to be a slave in my own country and work for minimum wage! F**k that! This might be our last year. If this music shit won’t provide food on my plate, then I’m out to find a new grind, BUT that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop making music. What you can expect is that we will follow up with a classic album called “PAST, PRESENT’ and US!” MARAMING SALAMAT SA LAHAT NG NANINIWALA!
JedLi: FANS are COOL, literally! Hehe. They can expect a lot of things. They should keep their ears & eyes open for VERB's solo album; GAP & Nimbus 9's collaboration; & Military Brats: Mr. A & Mr. E [which is a collaboration with me & Aero.]. And what they really should look forward to is PF's next Album: Past, Present, & US. We're putting our "everything" into this album. We've learned a lot from Headlines so we’re applying that to this album. The experience is a plus. It's going to be great. To all the people and sponsors that supported us, we are grateful for everything. Peacebless.
Gap: Expect us to live up to the name “People’s Future”, whether it be with the music, business, arts, or whatever. Pero ngayon, abangan nyo na lang yung mga bagong kanta na lalabas… Classic shit, no bullshit! And to all the haters out there, here’s a big, fat, F**K YOOOOUUUU!
People’s Future presents…Headlines: Issue#1 is available at Odyssey, O, Fully Booked High St., Capital G Shop and now via delivery 0917-804-9947.
Locked Down Ent. presents Ill-J "Logic For Reason" Album Launch @ 77 Cafe, Kamuning Q.C. on May 29, 2009 - Friday. FREE ENTRANCE !!! and the drinks are affordable !!! featuring live performances from Ill-J, People's Future and Pamilia Dimagiba.. Dj Arbie & Dj Gugoo on the wheels of steel.. Hosted by MC Dash
Here's another exclusive for all ya... "Feel Good" the first single from "ILL-J's" second album "Logic for Reason" coming out next month under Locked Down Ent. this track features Monique on the vocals and Chrizzo on the music production.. You can request for this track at Wave 89.1 and checkout his site http://www.myspace.com/illjthejourney
SoulSonic Started out as the only Hip-Hop culture newsletter in the Philippines back in 1999. It has now evolved into a Video-Magazine Blog. becoming one of the few outlets that gives you unbiased news and views of Filipino Hip-Hop culture around the globe. Feel free to send us your shout, comments and suggestions. And just like when we started out, contributors are always welcome to join the SoulSonic Force staff.
SoulSonic Force 2012
* Blogmeister: Bruno Frankelli * Contributors: * Unit-o3, Drazt, Sol, Rest, EJ, Decypher, Jerry Silverio * Cameraman: Cedy Ced, Kevy Kev, Mako & Ramire * Big Ups to Caliph8 for the SoulSonic Logo
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