Homegrown & Homecoming

Earlier this month, we were fortunate enough to have one of the premiere [Pinay] femcees, Hopie Spitshard, hit us up for a performance and special guestings.  It made me proud to not only see how innately connected she was with local hip hop and her roots in general, but to hear from her how impressed she was with the scene.  In her words: "The Manila music scene is live for real".

Dropping soon right here are excerpts of an exclusive video and written interview with Hopie, which is 1 part of a 3-part collaboration/coverage courtesy of The Hiphop in Her, Cafe808 and Soulsonic TV. The radio interview already aired on Cafe808 www.sarisarisounds.com and you can also watch out for Hopie's Manila performance coverage on Soulsonic www.ssonictv.blogspot.com.

Okay, my Hiphop heads, in case you didn't hear...we can anticipate another exciting visit - Mastaplann and Bambu are coming home! Obviously, Mastaplann has always been and always will be a massive part of the Filipino Hiphop world. Shoot. They are pioneers, a household name and you can't dismiss these guys when speaking of Hiphop over here.  They made their way home 2 years ago and that 2 years was a long enough wait.  Mabuhay MP! Now, speaking on behalf of many, a lot of us have also been following the works of their homeboy and extremely gifted MC, Bambu.  Much like Hopie, this will be his first time to perform out here and to check out what we've got going on, so we plan on showing him that we've got it going on right?

Happening on April 14, 2012 tentatively at B-Side, is Mastaplann and Bambu's Homecoming.  More details TBA so remember to keep checking back here for more info.

Don't think that in the wake of all this excitement for Balikbayans, I've forgotten about our homegrown talents.  Never that.  In fact, a lot of us have been patiently waiting for this next event happening as early as next week.  On Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at Pablo Cubao Expo is the official single/video launch of CTRL + ALT + DEL by The Mighty Miscellaneous. Naturally, TheHinH will be there to cover this momentous occasion in Hiphop.  See you all there.

The Black Katipunero Album: 4 Years in The Making...

It's undeniable.  A lot of heads have been waiting for this album. Amidst the seemingly unavoidable hip hop controversies - D-Coy antagonists either thinking the album would never drop or perhaps that it wouldn't matter if it did or maybe even hoping that it never would - this video presentation (done in 3D and directed by Artstrong) just proves the persistence and intent that he has had for the past 4 years to not just put out an album, but as Lowkey states, to "redefine how Tagalog Rap music should be done".

I won't delve further into talk of all the drama and in-betweens, but instead just say that the Black Katipunero album will most likely serve as the start of a Renaissance period for Tagalog Rap.  I think that it will re-teach listeners to truly listen and understand. Even someone like myself, who is not too well-versed in Tagalog beyond the conversational kind, will be intrigued to really absorb D-Coy's take on "wika" with his collaborative efforts with living legends to the essence of beats and rhymes to his use of the written word.  Let's just say that like an early favorite of mine, it is "tadhana" (fate).

Now I will let Part 1 of the documentary speak for itself...

It finally all comes together on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 7th High.  In a back-to-back performance with The Magnificent DJ Jazzy Jeff + Mad Skillz and a line-up of class acts, D-Coy will launch the Black Katipunero Album. W's up!