On May 29th, R² productions invited Filipino artists, “Gloc-9” and “Pork Chop” to promote Seattle’s local Filipino group, “The Browned Out Band”. This was Gloc -9’s second visit to Seattle. His first time in Seattle was in October of 2009 when he performed with two famous Filipino bands, Parokya ni Edgar and Kamikazee. He also visited Bruce Lee’s grave in Lakeview Cemetery in Seattle, and says he likes the look of Seattle and hopes to visit again.
Labeled as “Best Filipino Rapper” by MTV Philippines, Gloc-9 returned to Seattle to promote his third album, “Matrikula”. Gracing the audience with hits such as, “Simpleng Tao”, “Lando”, and “Sumayaw”, Gloc-9 rocked the crowd with his rapping. However, this rapper is unlike other mainstream rappers that one may see in the United States, he has no outlandish tattoos,nor do his songs boast of money or sex. On the contrary, his albums have a social political ring to it that is geared to activate/evoke/ the people to the real social and political problems that face the Philippines. His first three albums, G-9, Ako si…Gloc-9, and Diploma displayed his ability to let the voices and the experiences of the disadvantaged poor Filipinos be heard. His third album on the other hand, takes on a slightly different, more political tone in order to encourage people to kind of wake up and act.
The Philippines is a country with a predominantly high number of students taking up nursing as a major, many with hopes to immigrate to the United Sates. Surprisingly, Gloc-9 also pursued Nursing and received his Bachelors degree earlier year. When asked whether or not he had intended to move to the United States, he was unsure. With two twins to raise, he said, “he wants to make sure he has something to fall back on”… something many Filipino Americans can understand.
Despite his many successes in rapping, he has not forgotten the importance of education, improving oneself and inspiring others. He remains humble and grateful that his rapping has brought him to the United States. He has not only been to Seattle but to California and Las Vegas as well, where there is a higher than average Filipino American population. His only for his music is to be able to “inspire at least one person.”
Gloc-9 is to take his board Exam for nursing this December and has yet to choose which path to take, helping and serving others through healing or inspiring individuals through his political voice. Hopefully, he’ll find a way to do both.
