Hip-hop, as a genre born from the streets, has a rich history of artists who overcame the challenges of the everyday grind to become household names. Like in the Philippines, some of the biggest names in hip-hop today weren't handed their success on a silver platter; instead, they faced the reality of ordinary jobs and financial struggles before making a name in the music industry.

Aiming to also make a mark on the Filipino hip-hop scene, Madd Mark, a professional fitness coach who championed the recent Rap Up competition, also proves that passion and commitment to one’s goals can get a person to their dream destination despite life’s major challenges. 

Besides his regular day work, the winner of the Rap Up competition is now creating buzz in the music industry. In fact, he has already proudly represented the Philippines at an international music festival this year. 

For those who are not yet familiar, Rap Up is a music competition hosted by Tunecore and Urban Gathering that lasted for three-months, from April to June this year. It provides a platform for aspiring Filipino artists to showcase and boost their creativity and potential, and to grow their network within the increasingly inclusive global music community. 

This year’s edition, Rap Up: Rap and R&B competition, a total of six finalists were able to make it to the final match. But Madd Mark, a.k.a Markie Laderas, was the one who stood out with a performance that seamlessly blended his blazing rap routine with his fiery dance roots. 

His performance of "Kakaiba" became remarkable with how he performed the song with his childhood dance friends during the finals at Urban Gathering 7 in Finn & Claw. His winning track not only showcased his lyrical skills but also carried a powerful message of embracing uniqueness. 

"Ang sarili mo lang ay sapat na para sabihin na ikaw ay orihinal dahil sa experience at lessons na ikaw lang nakaranas at nakaalam.Kaya hindi na dapat pa ikumpara sa iba dahil kung anong mayroon ka ay tiyak na wala rin sa kanila,” said Madd Mark. ("Your own experiences and lessons learned throughout your life is enough to call yourself unique and original. That's why there's no need to compare yourself to others - they do not have everything you have.")

The versatile artist’s experience in theater and freestyle dance battles has also helped him shape a unique identity that made him stand out in the competition.

Mark has just recently become involved in the hip-hop scene as an independent musician alongside being a personal trainer. He has been experimenting with different sounds and genres, and constantly discovering his skills in songwriting, singing, and of course, in rapping. 

He eventually came up with his first album, Zirkulo, which was a successful production of star-studded collaborations with known artists such as Kjah, Mike Kosa, Pino G, and Yuridope.

It is a one of a kind masterpiece filled with mind-blowing riffs, grooves, and clever lyrics which now can be heard on all digital music platforms, and is consistently supported by Tunecore, a digital music distribution service for independent and self-releasing artists.

Madd Mark was also able to perform in his first international gig last Oct 27 to 29, with Tunecore sponsoring his entire trip to Axean Music Festival in Singapore to fulfill his dreams. This festival is an international music event where people from Southeast Asia perform and network with different delegates, music festival organizers, labels and digital service providers. Tunecore sponsored a stage featuring winners from Tunecore competitions, and the Philippine was well-represented with performances by Oh Flamingo, Itchyworms, Alisson Shore, Ena Mori Loner, and others.

“It was our pleasure to collaborate with TuneCore for the first Rap Up Competition through Urban Gathering. Actually, Urban Gathering was made to spotlight Filipino hip-hop artists––both veteran and mainstream––but more especially young, aspiring, and passionate artists. We are more than happy to keep raising the flag for Pinoy hip-hop and rap, and we’re honored to continue Urban Gathering and Tunecore’s partnership for Rap Up 2,” said Dougbrock of Urban Gathering. 

"Tunecore has been championing the independent Filipino artists and Madd Mark is no different! Having seen people participate in Rap Up means artists are hungry to get recognized and we want to find these artists. Rap Up 2 is on its way this 2024, watch out for it,” said Bong Andres, Country Coordinator of Tunecore PH.

Madd Mark's journey from a Rap Up finalist to an international performer is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the growing influence of Filipino hip-hop on the global stage. As he continues to rise, his story serves as inspiration for budding artists to embrace their individuality and chase their dreams.

Know more about how Tunecore’s services and platforms can make artists make a mark at the center stage, visit https://www.tunecore.com/.