At the Filipino Music Awards red carpet on October 21, a few artists took the time to tell Rolling Stone Philippines what they think Filipino music sounds like. From pop idols like BINI’s Maloi to indie favorites Lola Amour and global superstar apl.de.ap, their answers, as varied as the genres they represent, show the many ways the OPM sound continues to express the Filipino spirit.
For many, Filipino music begins with feeling. “Life, joy, and belief,” said apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas. Rapper Skusta Clee echoed that sentiment: “Organic, galing sa puso, goosebumps, feelings.”
Others see Filipino music as a reflection of growth and diversity. “Marami nang lumalabas na music ngayon,” said BINI Maloi. “It’s very experimental as well as very embracing sa bagong sound. I think it’s flourishing and evolving.” Lola Amour bassist Manu Dumayas agreed: “I wouldn’t lock it into a certain box because it’s a range of a lot of emotions, a lot of sounds.” His bandmate, guitarist Zoe Gonzales, added, “It’s a beautiful time to be an OPM fan.”
To some, the magic lies in language and adaptability. “Walang katulad,” said Shanti Dope. “Mapag-laro ‘yong lenggwahe ng Pilipino.” Rock icons Basti Artadi and Kevin Roy see that playfulness as part of a larger creative process: “We’re very good at listening and adapting,” said Artadi, vocalist for Wolfgang. “You pick up inspiration, you process it, and out comes the product,” added Roy, a fellow bandmate in Wolfgang as well as vocalist for Razorback.
For others like ena mori and Morobeats’ DJ Medmessiah, Filipino music is a mirror into ideas of national identity. “Filipino music is very empathic. We have so [many] thoughts in our heads and we’d like to share them very precisely and in a very empathic way,” ena said. DJ Medmessiah put it very succinctly: “Filipino music sounds to me like Morobeats sound!,” referring to his rap collective, which has helped pioneer Mindanaoan representation in the Filipino hip-hop and rap scene.
And as Lola Amour lead vocalist Pio Dumayas put it best, “OPM is something that’s like an untouched gem for the rest of the world. They’re missing out.”
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