Gloc-9: Tackling Social Issues Through Rap

Manila (PNA) — Do you still remember “My Husband’s Lover”? This teleserye tackled several social issues, which includes gay rights. There’s another teleserye currently being aired – “The Rich Man’s Daughter”, which, in some points, also talks about things concerning the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual) community.

There may be several teleseryes and movies tackling social issues. But there’s one person who uses rap to open the public’s eyes on these. His name? Gloc-9.

“Ako’y isang sirena. Kahit anong sabihin nila bandera ko’y di tutumba…” goes his song, Sirena, which is about a gay person.

Born Aristotle Pollisco, Gloc-9’s stage name was inspired by a gun. He grew up in Binangonan, Rizal, listening to ballad music of Gino Padilla, among others. Ballad music had a big influence to him, even though he turned out to be a rapper.

“Even before writing my songs, these are the things people have talked about and gossiped about. So I think they can really relate to my songs,” he revealed.

Did you know that Gloc-9 was appointed National Peace Ambassador by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process? He is an advocate of peace and also calls out support for the Bangsamoro. With that, he has performed at concerts, calling for peace for places affected by war and those in the midst of violence.

Meanwhile, he revealed he has an upcoming song called “Kalye”. “Kalye is about remembering the essence of EDSA (Revolution),” Gloc-9 uttered in Filipino.

He has been to places, performing for the overseas Filipino workers in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Qatar, Singapore and Dubai. He is considered one of the most respected musicians and performers. He has won various awards. Despite these, Gloc-9 said he does not consider himself as an icon. “I see myself as a fan,” he said. How cool is that?

Gloc-9 had already received numerous awards. Among these include “Rap Artist of the Year”, which he bagged five times in a row (2005-2009) at the Philippine Hip Hop Awards; four awards from the MYX Music Awards 2014; awards for movie theme songs he wrote; among others.

Last year, his song “Dapat Tama”, a campaign for intelligent voting, won the Bronze World Medal in New York TV Festival Awards.

Last night, he shared the stage with Abra, Apl. De. Ap., and several international hiphop artists at the first ever MTV Music Evolution. The concert was part of the Department of Tourism’s Visit the Philippines Year 2015 campaign, and was held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

He expressed gratefulness for that opportunity to perform in a production like the MTV Music Evolution. Gloc-9 also cited that one thing he noticed about Filipino hiphop is that it tends to sound very original.

Sharing the stage with local and international artists, bagging awards and recognition, Gloc-9 may have achieved a lot. But one thing didn’t change, his songs will still enlighten the minds of his countrymen. Through his rap, he will continue tackling social concerns. (PNA) RMA/MCCA/EDS