Tip for young musicians: Make new stuff, take risks

APL.DE.AP in the music video “Do the Moves.”

The past year saw apl.de.ap shuttling between the Philippines and the United States, juggling commitments and projects. When he’s in the country, the Filipino-American Black Eyed Peas member makes it a point to lend a hand—providing learning facilities in the provinces through his namesake foundation, or visiting victims of natural calamities.

Late last year, apl—or Allan Pineda—flew to Tacloban, Leyte to help in the relief efforts for survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” He promised them new classrooms. Even better, apl said that it was important for him to interact with young people there and instill confidence in them through music.

“I hung out with the kids, sang and danced with them, taught them how to rap,” he told the Inquirer in a recent interview.

“That’s how I tried to connect,” added the 39-year-old hip-hop artist, who also produced—through his own music label BMBX Entertainment—the inspirational music video “Unshakable.” Performed by the local rap-metal group Slapshock, the song is a tribute to Filipino strength and resilience.

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For apl, music “is like a religion” and “a friendly way to encourage and inspire people.” He related: “Music is common language. I can sing ‘Bebot’ in front of white people and they will dance. Queen Latifah once came up to me and said ‘Bebot’ was her favorite song. She said, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, but it feels dope!’”

That’s why, apl said, music and dance are two of the biggest components of Rexona’s “Do the Moves” campaign, which he’s currently part of along with several celebs like Sarah Geronimo, Elmo Magalona and Enrique Gil.

As part of the drive, the four artists recorded a song and shot a music video likewise titled “Do the Moves.” Apl said the single—which has been playing on the radio and various music channels for a few weeks now—“urges the youth, particularly teenagers, to be confident and do more.”

“We want them to express themselves through music,” said apl, adding that he and his fellow ambassadors helped craft the song. “We all pitched in. I wrote the rap part and had a hand in the editing. My good friend Marcus Davis did the beat,” he said.

He described the song as “fun and upbeat, with an electronic dance music vibe. We had a great time doing the music video. Enrique and Elmo had amazing dance moves… We did some old school, freestyle dancing.”

Role model

“It’s of course a privilege to work again with the talented Sarah G. She’s really something else; definitely someone that the youth looks up to,” apl said of his “The Voice of the Philippines” comentor.

Apl related that Rexona was set to launch a dance tour and a teen dance competition, with a finale in July.

What advice would he give aspiring artists? “To be unafraid to make original stuff.” He cited Slapshock, the first artist signed by BMBX Entertainment, as a good example of a music act that takes risks.

“I took them to Los Angeles and had them record in the same studio that Black Eyed Peas used. Slapshock collaborated with our sound engineer,” he said.

Asked if he would return for the second season of “The Voice of the Philippines” later this year, apl said there were negotiations. Latest announcements do not carry his name.

“I would love to do it again,” he said. “Being on the show exposed me to a vast amount of talent; everyone was amazing and unique. It was hard to let go. It was stressful, but it’s the good kind!”

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