Shanti Dope has long been one of Philippine hip-hop’s most versatile voices, being able to switch from sharp-edged wordplay to vivid storytelling.
But his new single “Rehab” takes him to his most vulnerable space yet. Stripped of bravado, the track is a confession, an unflinching reflection of substance abuse, recovery, and the difficult work of staying alive for the people who matter most.
In “Rehab,” Shanti doesn’t glamorize drug use, but instead chooses to turn the spotlight on his personal journey. The song moves past the clichés of cautionary tales, describing how he lost his way and fought back with the help of his family and will to heal. The pianos and light trap percussion assist the storytelling of Shanti’s verses, while its hardened beats and softer edges mirror the song’s themes of resistance and endurance. The focus, however, remains on his words, which read more like journal entries than his signature multi-syllabic punchlines.
In one of the song’s most striking verses, he lays it out plainly: “Sabik na kong gawin yung halikan ka pagkagaling ng rehab / Hindi sapat sa akin na ika’y yakapin lang / Yung tamang panahon ay darating din basta kapit lang.” The line is direct, heartfelt, and devastating in its simplicity, showing how recovery is driven less by external rewards and more by the quiet power of love and responsibility.
A Path of Evolution
For longtime listeners, “Rehab” expands Shanti’s catalog beyond the youthful rebellion of “Highschool” or the euphoric street energy of “City Girl”; even his recent work with his Young God Records crew in Yellow Tapes Vol. 1 felt more celebratory in tone. Here, he embraces raw honesty, leaving behind the posturing that often marks hip-hop. What emerges is a reminder that growth is all about confronting yourself when no one else is watching.
“Rehab” is a single where Shanti lays bare the cost of his choices, showing how recovery is not a clean or easy process. In the fourth episode of The Rolling Stone Philippines Interview, Shanti reflects on his progress during his time in rehab. “Yung recovery ko pang habambuhay na siya ‘e,” he says. “Kailangan maging matibay talaga ako ganon. Minsan kung may tropa ang hirap iwasan uminom. Ang hirap din pero alam ko kaya ko maging sober talaga kaya.”
By putting his struggles into the music, he extends a hand to those who may be fighting the same battle, making his story not only personal but necessary for an artist with a wide platform.
