LEA SALONGA: Myx Magna Award. Photo by Richard Reyes
It was a big night for hip-hop music last Wednesday, as rappers Gloc-9 and Abra won a total of five trophies in the 2013 Myx Music Awards held at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan City.
FAVORITE male artist Christian Bautista and Rachelle Ann Go perform “Sun and Moon.” Photo by Richard Reyes
For his smash hit “Sirena,” which features former Sugarfree front man Ebe Dancel on the chorus, Gloc-9 or Artistole Pollisco collected three awards (Favorite Song, Collaboration and Myx Live Performance), cranking up his total number of Myx trophies to 10 since the music channel started recognizing exceptional acts in 2006.
Unfortunately, Gloc-9 wasn’t able to make it to the event to perform and personally accept his trophies. But in his absence, 22-year-old hip-hop and FlipTop artist Abra stepped up to the plate and brought the house down with his songs “Alab ng Puso” and “Gayuma,” which won for him the Favorite Music Video and Urban Video Awards.
YENG Constantino: Favorite female artist. Photo by Richard Reyes
“Gayuma” features Thyro and Jeriko Aguilar and is directed by Abra, Cristhian Escolano and Jasper Salimbangon.
Abra was joined onstage by Beatbox Philippines’ Josef Amarra, Lyrically Deranged Poets comember Rjay Ty and hip-hop and R&B singer Quest in what turned out to be one of the night’s most rousing numbers.
VJS IYA Villania, Chino Lui Pio and Nikki Gil. Photo by Richard Reyes
With the music video of “Gayuma” approaching 20 million views on YouTube—the highest for any local artists to date—not a few expected Abra to run away with trophies in hand. Still, he seemed genuinely surprised.
After a bit of hustling with impatient and panting fan girls wanting to have their photos taken with Abra, we asked the burgeoning rapper how he felt about his feat.
ABRA: Favorite music video. Photo by Richard Reyes
“I can’t believe it. It’s surreal. I’ll just thank everyone properly when I’m in a better state of mind,” Abra told the Inquirer. “I’m still floating on cloud nine. I might look cool on the outside, but my soul is doing cartwheels right now. Astig!”
On the rise
Does Abra think that his and Gloc-9’s wins are testaments to hip-hop’s steady rise in popularity?
“I want to think so, yes. I’m very happy, especially since more and more of hip-hop artists are starting to emerge,” he said.
ELMO Magalona: Favorite guest appearance in a music video. Photo by Richard Reyes
Other big winners include Sarah Geronimo (Favorite Artist and Remake), who was also a no-show, newly signed GMA 7 talent Christian Bautista (Favorite Male Artist) and Yeng Constantino (Favorite Female Artist).
The 1980s-themed night also saw performances from Yeng, Robin Nievera, Princess Velasco, Anja Aguilar, Sam Concepcion, KZ Tandingan, Zendee Rose Tenerefe, Kean Cipriano, Elmo Magalona, Neocolours, Chris Padilla of Hilera, Steve Badiola of Typecast, Kamikazee and more.
Lea Salonga cited
QUEST. Photo by Richard Reyes
Internationally acclaimed artist and Philippine Daily Inquirer Entertainment columnist Lea Salonga was hailed this year’s Myx Magna awardee. The accolade, Myx said, “is given to artists or groups who have made very significant contributions to the music scene.”
Lea was feted by singers Julie Anne San Jose, Erik Santos, K-La Rivera, Juris Fernandez, Richard Poon and Nikki Gil with a medley of songs Lea popularized, such as “I Am but a Small Voice,” “A Whole New World,” “We Could Be in Love” and “Reflection.”
ERIK Santos and K-La Rivera sing “A Whole New World.” Photo by Richard Reyes
However, the one that got Lea cheering and clapping in her seat was ex-lovers Rachelle Ann Go and Christian Bautista performing “Sun and Moon” from the musical “Miss Saigon.”
“On a personal note, it was nice to see them sing together again. I think I lost my voice screaming!” she said.
“It’s just an amazing thing to be a part of this industry. To wake up every day and want to make music and sing make me incredibly happy,” Lea said as she accepted her award.
Asked what advice she could give to young aspiring artists who dream of being successful in the music biz, Lea said thoughtfully, and emphatically: “Have an effin’ good time doing this! You all just have to love this more than air, more than food, more than sex! It has to be something you need to do.”
CALLALILY’S Kean Cipriano: Favorite group. Photo by Richard Reyes
She continued: “If you’re passion is so great that it comes out of your mouth, your mind and fingertips, and reaches audiences the way it should, then you belong here.”
Winners
ZENDEE Rose Tenerefe and KZ Tandingan. Photo by Richard Reyes
The winners were determined by 60-percent viewers’ text and online votes and 40-percent artists’ votes. The rest of the winners are:
Myx Celebrity VJ, Julie Anne San Jose; Media Soundtrack, “Moving Closer” by Never the Strangers; Guest Appearance in a Music Video, Elmo Magalona in “I’ll Be There” by Julie Anne San Jose; K-Pop Video, “Sexy, Free and Single” by Super Junior; International Video, “One Thing” by One Direction;
Rock Video, “Huling Sayaw” by Kamikazee feat. Kyla and directed by Avid Liongoren; New Artist, Daniel Padilla; Group, Callalily.