Seasoned rapper and songwriter Gloc-9 remembers the time he was a “purist” artist, meaning one who adheres strictly, if not excessively, to tradition.
Gloc-9 (Photo by Lester Ramos)
He told Bulletin Entertainment that back then, some of his songs had “explicit lyrics” like those of other rappers trying to make their mark.
“But you reach the point when you mature both as person and as artist. It's when you realize the power or the effect of your songs on your listeners, of your influence on people. That's when you become more careful with your offering,” he revealed. “You take the path where you aspire to use your artistry as a platform to encourage people.”
Maybe those rappers think it's cool to cuss?
“Mas madaling magmukhang maangas 'pag nagmumura ka pero mas mahirap magtunog maangas ng hindi ka nagmu-mura,” he pointed out.
But on the flipside, he cited Shanti Dope's “Mau” as example of an artist simply being true to his feelings in using strong language.
“There are times artists use strong language not to insult or anything. It’s just something that came to them at the time of writing,” he explained. "So you don't stop that. As artist, you never force music because you’ll never have good outcome. It’s not good when you have this habit of limiting yourself."
To his credit, Gloc-9's songs mostly tackle issues as social injustices, poverty, and patriotism. His fast-flowing rap style has made him one of the most successful hip-hop artists in the country. In fact, he was described by the late rapper Francis Magalona as “a blacksmith of words and letters, and a true Filipino poet.”
Burning love
Revered in the industry, Gloc-9 was asked if he mulls retiring or at least taking it easy with work now that he's got nothing left to prove.
He admitted: “I have been in this scene for long that I sometimes ask myself if this is still what I want to do in my life. But at the end of the day, I still get the same answer and it's yes,” he cleared.
“I’m still happy doing music."
He said it became the inspiration for “Pagitan” sung by Julie Anne San Jose. One of the lines goes, “Pagkatapos ng lahat ang last line ay mahal pa rin kita.”
Gloc-9 is currently writing songs for other artists, mostly new ones. He has also written five songs for himself, so he plans to compile this into an EP tentatively titled “Tulay.”
Gloc-9 has a new song out and that is the theme song of anime television series “Barangay 143.”
The series is about a young Korean boy whose search for his father brings him to the Philippines. Lost and desperate for answers, he finds an unlikely family in a team of misfits whose only ambition is to bring glory to their hometown.
The first Philippine-made anime premieres in October on GMA Network.