Hopie in Manila: Right at Home w/ Her Roots

"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 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 with 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.

"Sexy is being you" - Hopie 

Special thanks to Soulsonic TV, Cafe808, Kerplunk Studio, DJ Umph, DJ D'Tech and DJ Jena 

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.

B-Side Experiment, Soul Fillet & G Presents...ERIC LAU

This coming Pay Day is also a Soul Fillet Day!  Only this time around, it isn't just your typical Soul Fillet event (although come to think of it, Soul Fillet events are never typical).  This edition of the much-followed jam sesh will feature international beat genius Eric Lau and the Manila Soldiers plus J-Hoon Noodles, Red-I, JDG, Nights of Rizal, Live Fillet, Nyko Maca and Brigada from the local scene. So spend your money and time right for the love of hip hop and beats folks!

Saturday, October 15, 2011 at B-SIDE, The Collective

Now for those that don't know, Eric Lau is a London-based producer that has worked with the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Tanya Morgan, Guilty Simpson, et al. In the words of J-Hoon aka J-Hoon Noodles aka Mr. Fillet himself: "amazing cat from the same boom bap planet".

Click on some of his links for some chilled out goodness:

If you were searching for inspiration, some real food for the soul, I believe this is the way to go. See you all this Saturday at B-SIDE! 

Taking Manila Music Lovers to New Heights

What some of you may not know is that while I'm obviously hip hop as heck, I was actually a choir girl growing up at school.  So I'd receive classic training at school then bump a big ol' boombox with the "homies" outside of school. Because of choir, though, I've always had this fascination with live performances, particularly broadway.  My mom would always take me to the biggest shows from Disney to Andrew Lloyd Webber shows to Repertory [Philippines] over here and the like.  For this, she is probably one of the persons I must definitely credit for first introducing me to the idea that music is beyond sound in motion; but that it is art, expression, feelings.

So recently, she mentioned to me that this Tony Award-winning show that she had seen in LA a few years back that she knew that I would love, would be coming to Manila.  On September 2-18 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium (RCBC), Atlantis Productions will stage In The Heights.  Based on what my mom told me and what I later supplemented with research is that this is not your typical broadway mainly because its musical score by Lin Manuel Miranda includes the atypical genres: hip hop, soul, merengue, and salsa.  In other words, those born from the streets and that depict stories of their neighborhoods and surroundings - in this case being New York City's Washington Heights.  Being told that this show would combine the 2 musical worlds that I had matured in, I was sold (or at least a couple tickets in my name were).

Directed by Bobby Garcia, the Manila production of In The Heights marks the first internationally licensed production of the show (www.philstar.com).  Yes, we are very fortunate to be given the opportunity to catch the universal story of such a vibrant community, especially since I think that so many of our own communities here can relate to the truths of these stories.  I also feel that many will be able to grasp and absorb much of which us urban music lovers have known for awhile - that there is such a rich culture beyond the stereotypical views.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here is a promotional video from the original production in the US:

The funny thing is that back in high school, I had thought of creating my own hiphopera (and at times still think about it today), so I can't wait to see something like this really pushing the envelope, and perhaps this will open doors for a wider acceptance of this sort of show.  Bottomline, I'm thrilled, will be watching for sure this September, and would like to leave with some final props to Atlantis for taking us Manila music lovers to new heights.

If you're down like I am, then you can already get your tickets through Atlantis Productions at 892-7072 or through Ticketworld 891-9999.

The Do-Over: A First in Manila

This month, B-SIDE will host the Manila edition of The Do-Over, the epic Sunday afternoon sessions of good music, good vibes and unifying the masses.  "All styles and all smiles" reminiscent of those comforting Sunday BBQs in the fam's backyard and house parties with the peoples combined.  That kind of thing. Established by Chris Haycock, Jamie Strong, and Aloe Blacc in LA back in 2005; The Do-Over has acquired wide recognition and has even been referred to as "the best party on the planet" by the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff.

It's happening on a Saturday for us, July 23rd to be specific, from 3pm-3am (well, that ends up technically being Sunday) so mark those calendars.

Now, you'll notice that aside from the brainchildren behind The Do-Over, the poster remains enigmatic about the rest of the line-up.  However, I took the liberty of getting the 411 for my beloved readers.  Word on the street is that DJs will include Rhettmatic, Bugz in The Attic, Shortkut, Rye, Don P, Red-I and Soulflower whereas performers will include ILL-J, Picoy, Miscellaneous, Caliph8 and Malek and Noodle Experience.  Crazy goodness indeed.

Do not sleep on this event. This is history in the making right here.  The Do-Over: A First in Manila.

For more info, log on to www.blog.thedoover.net.  Let me leave you with this video that'll leave you bouncing-off-the-walls excited: