HIPHOP.PH
Uprising, one of the most respected record labels in The Philippines has released this brand new track with Dhictah and KMG featuring, Tatz Maven, Kjah and DJ Arthug.
Production and mastering by KMG.
The premier gangsta rap group in The Philippines is back with Part-III of their iconic track featuring Jcrwn.
“Kumusta Na 3” is composed by the group itself and the music video is both directed and edited by Joanna Reyes.
This video is brought to you by Sony Music Philippines and by Cholo Sediaren as producer.
One of the premier rap groups in The Philippines collabos with Sevenes in this brand new track.
The music video is shot in Los Angeles and is produced and directed by Sevenes himself.
The Pinoy Hip-Hop collective, 1096 Gang known for their hit cypher track, “Pajama Party” is back with this new summer-themed track with production from EMZEE.
Music video is filmed and directed by Mike Gem Tolentino and powered by TMP Production.
Title: Bukas Uulan ng Mga Bara
Artist: Kemikal Ali and DJ Arbie Won
Year: 2018
Label: Uprising
One of the most prolific MCs in Pinoy Hip-Hop and a member of BB Clan, Kemikal Ali teams up with DJ Arbie Won aka. The Beat Traveller and produced this classic collaboration album.
Bukas Uulan ng Mga Bara (BUNMB) was released back in 2018 under Uprising Records, Philippines.
Bukas Uulan ng Mga Bara has 15 tracks of pure Pinoy Hip-Hop!
“Mahalaga parin kumilos kapatid; Pag dating sa dulo may magandang kapalit”
Kemikal Ali – OTW Na
Kemikal Ali’s lyrical mastery, combined with DJ Arbie Won’s turntable skills and beatmaking supremacy made BUNMB the definitely Pinoy Hip-Hop album!
Seriously this is one of the best Pinoy Hip-Hop albums EVER if not the best. And there are times that I even rank this over Francis M.’s iconic album, Rap is Francism which to me has been my no.1 Pinoy Hip-Hop album ever since its release.
I really enjoyed listening to Kemikal Ali’s lyrics and punch-lines and he delivered them very well. And DJ Arbie Won’s production matched Ali’s flow.
My top 3 favorites are “Lumang Dialekto”, “F Na F” and “OTW Na”. Though I liked every track in this album and are iconic in its own right.
Though I found a few disappointments in this album such the skit at the beginning of “Panalo Bigayan” featuring Klutch B.. Some listeners prefer skipping this skit and forward straight to the track. Another is “Bolo Brigade” and while I really like the collaboration, the beat for this track was fine but unfortunately, did not match some of the flows of its guest artists. Though ironically, Bambu being a special feature for this track had the most number of profanity in its lyrics while Kemikal Ali himself expressed little if not, no profanity.
“Mr. Chairman” was also one of the most powerful tracks in this album and could have been longer. And this is the one track where Kemikal Ali expressed his strongest delivery.
But overall, BUNMB is still a Pinoy Hip-Hop masterpiece and well deserves getting the highest score!
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Favorite track: “Lumang Dialekto”
Least favorite track: “Bolo Brigade”
Overall Review: 5/5
Branch 64 of The Makati Regional Trial Court has dismissed the drug-selling case against known Pinoy Rap artist, Marlon Peroramas aka. Loonie this June 22, 2021.
As reported in Loonie’s official FB page, The Makati Regional Trial Court noted that,
Marlon Peroramas was arrested back in September 2019 in a supposed buy-bust operation. Along those arrested were Loonie’s sister who is also his manager, his DJ during that event, one of his promoters and their driver.
The incident took place at a hotel in Makati when Loonie was visiting a child suffering from leukemia and was there to entertain.
He was detained in Makati City Jail and was released on bail back in January, 2020.
So far, Loonie’s case on drug possession is still pending and it is still up to The Makati RTC to reach the verdict.
The latest track from Aristotle Pollisco or more known in Pinoy Hip-Hop as Gloc-9. Composed by Pollisco himself, the track is arranged by Ron Jefferson “AK BEATS” Perez and Rassel “Goodson” Tiquia and both mixed and mastered by John Edmel “Gcode” Tabuniar.
Salbakuta, one of the most popular Pinoy Rap groups is back with this latest track produced by Komplex Beats. And this track is gonna make you “BOUNCE”!
Title: Fatigue
Artist: Assembly Generals
Year: 2019
Label: Locked Down Entertainment
Released back in 2019 under Locked Down Entertainment, Fatigue is the second studio album coming from the hip-hop fusion band, Assembly Generals.
The group is composed of MCs, Swtichtrik and Peaceful Gemini, Plus Jigger Divina on the turntables, Ray Marasigan on drums and is produced by Mon Punzalan.
There are a total of twelve tracks in Fatigue with seven tracks of full abstract hip-hop music, one “fusion music” while the rest are composed of interludes.
The album starts with “Taro-San”, which is more a live announcement recording and then shifts to “Kulog”, a socially conscious track that was created to “wake up” people who remain ignorant from the various problems and issues facing human kind.
But again, most if not all tracks in this album are socially conscious and are spreading awareness on the problems and various issues related to society.
Take the English language track, “Roulette” for example. It deals with people choosing the wrong paths in life, the fatal consequence they face in making such choice and ultimately, us being the reason for their demise. Another is the upbeat sounding track, “Ligaw” which is my favorite track in the entire album. In “Ligaw”, the group questions the listener why society is stuck in that “circle” and preventing from moving “forward” for betterment.
“Naiwan sa kahapon at hindi na umabante; umaasa sa wala panay reklamo ng maarte”
Assembly Generals – Kulog
Assembly Generals’ second studio album did its part in waking up listeners on the problems of society and encourages them to take action.
Personally, I find Fatigue as a listening experience as it makes you think on the current situation not only The Philippines but the entire planet and make a decision on whether you choose to do something about it or not. Assembly Generals delivered their message as through their socially conscious tracks and is supported by strong beats and production.
Such music is among those contributing to the rise of the so-called “woke culture” especially with today’s generation. But it is still up to the person who agree with the album’s message, disagree with it or continue to remain blind on what is happening around us. Though honestly, the people who choose the latter have nothing to loose as there are people out there who both mind and continue their own business and not be affected with the issues dealt in this album.
While Assembly Generals are questioning the listener, I have a question for the group and is more what they want to happen with society and our future?
Certainly we do not live in a perfect society and even with strong conscious message and spreading awareness, as I said earlier that people still have the choice to doubt and disagree.
Another criticism I find with this album is in the track, “Roulette”. This is arguably the most powerful track in Fatigue especially when it comes to the theme and subject matter. And while the group conveyed their message well, I still think that flow and delivery for this track needs some refinement. I”m not going to be biased with language though I still think that if the lyrics were done in Tagalog, the track would possibly reach a wider audience, Philippine-wise. Though using English is fine as well and as with the said language, I will compare with Mastaplann’s “Fix Da World Up” which is also a socially conscious track though its subject matter is not as deep as “Roulette”. Both Tracer and Type had a decent flow in “Fix Da World Up”. Switchtrik’s flow in “Roulette” can still improve and create an updated version.
Overall, Fatigue is an album that is worth listening to and is among taking Pinoy Hip-Hop music to the next level.
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Favorite track: “Ligaw”
Least Favorite track: “Hands Off”
Overall Review: 4.5/5
Title: Kawago Reunited 2.0
Artist: Kawago
Year: 2018
Label: Be Original Music
After a decade of hiatus, Kawago one of the most popular Pinoy Rap groups reunited and released their 2018 third studio album and first extended play, Kawago Reunited 2.0.
The group is still composed of its original members, Zhatto, Duff Uno and Sneaky and while they are older and more matured, their style of music has remained the same.
But it’s great that Kawago has reunited and I appreciate that they made the effort of releasing new material.
As this is an EP album, Kawago Reunited 2.0 is only composed of seven tracks.
The majority of the tracks have the usual novelty theme mainly dealing with romance, dating and expression of love, so I will not break it down individually unlike some of the albums I’ve reviewed in this site.
“Mapapatawad pa ba mahal kong sinta; Hindi ko na kayang ikaw ay wala”
Kawago – Patawarin Mo
Kawago’s third studio album still provided some pleasant listening despite its masa / novelty theme. And their music is a bit evolved unlike their previous albums.
Honestly, I more enjoyed listening through the latter part of the album starting with the remake of “Kailanman” as overall, they are a bit more refined compared to the first three tracks. I somewhat enjoyed listening to “Kailanman” as I really appreciate the original Japanese track, “Saigo no Iiwake (最後の言い訳)” by Hideaki Tokunaga and covered by numerous Pinoy Pop artists such as Ted Ito as with the track, “Ikaw Pa Rin”.
And with Kawago, they sampled this track and fused rap music with it.
Other than that, I cannot find any more significance with this album.
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Favorite track: “Kailanman”
Least Favorite track: “Can’t Buy Me Love”
Overall Review: 3.5/5
