Omar Baliw is a former gasoline boy who has worked his way to become one of the most recognizable names in  Philippine hip-hop. He has collaborated with the likes of rap greats like Gloc-9 (who is his idol) and also owns the successful streetwear label High Minds Clothing. 

It's hard to imagine that 20 years ago, Omar considered himself a  "rapper with no direction." His parents did not want him to pursue the genre. But a microphone gifted by his college sweetheart (now wife) Dana changed the course for him.

"Actually, yung wife ko ang unang bumili ng microphone ko noong college kami. Working student sya, ako naman, rapper na walang patutunguhan (laughs). Ang hirap mag record before pero binigyan nya ako ng microphone at ito ang nagligtas ng buhay ko," Omar recalled.

(It was actually my wife who bought my first microphone when we were still in college. She was a working student, and I was a rapper who did not know what I wanted to do with my life. It was so hard to record before,but she gave me a microphone and that saved my life.)

His name is Omar Harry Manzano in real life but got stuck with the moniker "Baliw" - a Filipino word which means crazy. " Dahil nga medyo baliw baliw ako mag perform. Tumatalon ako sa stage,  tuma-tumbling tumbling ako. Sobrang wild talaga, so ayun!." he revealed. 

Omar was just a teenager when he started making music with some bandmates, He entered the hip-hop scene in 2008, and in 2011, he produced enough material to come up with his first album dubbed "High Minds Music." Now that it's 2023, High Minds celebrated its 12th anniversary last weekend with a big concert in Metrotent Pasig featuring fellow rap acts like Shanti Dope, Loonie and Ron Henley.

The event also served as a baptismal ground for Omar's latest single " Kalmado Part 3." It is part of the Kalmado rap song series which espouses positivity and Good Vibes Only.

"Positibong enerhiya lang dinadala,  kung merong negatibo matik di padadala....," Omar intones in the song's chorus. 

In June of last year, Omar signed a contract with Believe Artist Service for them to take care of the digital release and promotion of his music.

Believe's Head of Artist Services Waheed Al Jarallah praised Omar for espousing "positivity in his music, his strength amidst his struggles in everyday life, and his willingness to share his learnings  "

"Most importantly, Omar's  love for music as a whole made it clear to us that he is a strong artist services candidate for Believe Music. He stands for our values of artist development, fairness, transparency and independence," Waheed added.

Omar is full of gratitude to all those who support him. He has about 2 million followers who listen to him on Spotify, Youtube, Facebook and other social media channels. 

"Kahit mag picture tayo ng isang oras, ok lang. Kung nasaan ako ngayon, siguro kalahati nun nang dahil sa mga tao.  Sa sobrang dami ba naman ng artist sa Pilipinas ngayon, pinili nyo na pakinggan ako. Maraming salamat men," he remarked.

He bared that he will give the younger breed of rappers the chance to take his place as he announced his retirement in five years' time, before he turns 40. The father of two said his family has already acquired a property in Batangas for a farm where he expects to raise cows, chickens, and other animals.

"Pagdating  ko ng 39, nandun na lang ako sa farm ko, kalmado lifestyle literal na lang talaga kasama ng mga anak ko, Sobrang dami ko na kasi talagang utang sa family ko. Gusto ko ng tahimik na buhay, ayoko ng maingay. Hindi naman kailangan ng sobrang pera talaga, simpleng buhay lang men," Omar stressed.