CEBU CITY, Philippines — Two hiphop artists from Dumaguete and Cebu are aiming to bring Philippine hiphop to the world stage while using the Bisaya dialect.
Hiphop artist from Dumaguete, Midnasty, said this during a press briefing on August 25, 2023, together with hip-hop artist from Cebu, Cookie$ where they talked about their collaboration with Spotify and of the Plaza Independencia show “Kalye X” live concert today, August 26.
Hiphop artists from Dumaguete and Cebu will headline the Plaza Independencia show tonight.
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“Challenge na unsaon namo paggawas ang kanta nga di sya ingnong “baduy” sa mismo atong bisaya, unsaon natog paghatag nga makaabot siya’g world stage nga ga binisaya lang ta, mao ni usa sa atong mission,” said Midnasty about
(Our challenge will be how to release the song that it will not sound “baduy” in our Bisaya dialect, how to deliver that it can reach the world stage that we talk bisaya, that is our mission.)
“So dako kay’g tabang ang bisaya sad kay dali kay mi makastorya sa mga listeners, mas dali siya maka-communicate bitaw” he added.
(So knowing bisaya has helped us a lot because we can easily talk to our listeners, it is easier to communicate.)
Both hiphop artists shared their music and their journey towards being the artists in Visayas who paved the way for aspiring hiphop artists.
Their music usually tackle about the reality of life, mental health, current life situation, and topics that can help people relate to their songs which they took inspiration from God, family, and friends.
According to the artists, the hiphop scene in Cebu including Davao is thriving and is doing well.
Cookie$, who came from Atlanta, Georgia in the U.S. and who is now based in Cebu, compared the differences between Philippine hiphop culture and Atlanta music.
“I noticed the Pinoy hiphop is very into conscious rap, mga seryoso’g mga lyrics ba sa (serious lyrics about) life, about struggles, [meanwhile] hiphop sa (in) Atlanta is different,” said Cookie$.
“They talk about party, drugs, and that’s how I started rap,” he said.
The Cebuano rapper shared how his former home had a different vibe when it would come to hiphop compared to Philippine hiphop.
He said that if an artist would wish to be a hiphop artist in Atlanta, they would have to join a gang in order for them to be qualified to talk about hiphop.
Cookie$ said that he was grateful that aspiring artists did not have the same environment as his old home since they had the freedom to experience Pinoy hiphop.
Furthermore, Midnasty and Cookie$ delivered a message to the public, especially to the aspiring local artists who would wish to be part of the hiphop scene.
“Don’t stop, just don’t stop, daghan kay’ng (there are many [challenges]) along the way. there will be trials and if you’re willing to take the risk, all the sacrifices, willing ka tanan, kaya na nimo (you are willing to take it all, you can do it),” Midnasty said.
“Just be consistent, I asked my friend in Atlanta he’s very deep sa (in the) music industry, I asked him what are your advices and I was hoping nga (that it’s) very motivational nga speech pero (but) he just told me: just be consistent, and that’s what I did,” said Cookie$. | Mariele Ocubillo, CTU Intern