Image: Instagram/@pacquiao.michael
MANILA, Philippines — Although he is the son of boxing legend and Senator Manny Pacquiao, up and coming rapper Michael Pacquiao admitted that he wants to prove that he can make a name on his own.
“I wanted to prove that I can. I have talent and I have something. I don’t just rely on my parents,” the 18-year-old said in an interview with the Philippine Entertainment Portal (Pep) on Friday.
Michael recently impressed everyone with his talent in rapping as he performed his song “Hate” for radio station Wish 107.5.
That video, which was uploaded on YouTube, has earned almost nine million views, as of this writing.
“In the song, I actually wanted to prove myself. That’s how I felt in the song,” Michael said of “Hate”.
Asked how his parents reacted when his performance became a hit, Michael said: “They’re really proud. They’re happy. They congratulated me.”
“It’s really surprising how in a few days, it already reached millions,” he added, as he did not expect the song to become a hit with the public.
He, however, acknowledged the criticism of others who said the only reason why his song became a hit was because of his last name.
“And people would say, it has to do with my last name. But, you know, I understand naman. But at the same time, it’s, like, I work hard to achieve what I am,” Michael said.
He then expressed his desire to give back to his parents, saying: “I wanna work hard as well ‘cause my dad worked hard for everything he has [done] and also for us.”
“And I wanna do the same—work hard for everything that I will have, that I want to have, and give back to my mom and dad because they did so much,” he added.