‘Batang Quiapo’ star Smugglaz weighs in on importance of rappers in OPM

Filipino rapper and “Batang Quiapo” actor Smugglaz | Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista

Filipino rapper and “Batang Quiapo” actor Smugglaz reflected on the time when rappers in the music industry were still being looked down on; however, he also acknowledged that times have changed and rappers are now getting the recognition they deserve.

“Nandoon ako sa panahon na may mga video, nasa YouTube ‘yan mga panahon na hindi kami kilala. Parehas na era, naramdaman ko ‘yon na hindi kinikilala at konti pa lang ‘yung mga nakatagos lalo na sa mainstream, ‘yung tipong sila Andrew E, Gloc 9, Francis M pa lang ‘yung kilala pagdating sa hiphop,” he told INQUIRER.net during a recent intimate interview with selected members of the press.

“Pero ngayon masasabi ko na iba, mula sa mga music scene, lalo na po sa impluwensiya ng rap battle sa Pilipinas, iba na. Ngayon nagpapasalamat ako na nandito na ‘yung spotlight sa hiphop, nandito pa rin ako. Nandito pa rin kami ng mga kasamahan ko,” added the rapper.

Smugglaz made his acting debut in “Ang Probinsyano” as Marcial Matero. He appeared in the series for five years before recently landing a role in “Batang Quiapo,” where he plays Kidlat.

When asked how he would compare acting with rapping, Smugglaz said that he uses the same technique for both.

“Nung inaral ko kasi ‘yung acting ang ginamit kong technique is kung paano ako mag-rap. Kung paano ako magmemorize ng script ganon ako magmemorize ng rap. Nung nag-uumpisa kami sa taping, two months kami ni Basilio hindi nagkakamali, kasi akala namin talaga bawal magkamali. Kasi mga battle emcee kami, lumalaban kami sa fliptop. Ang fliptop kasi one take lang ‘yan,” adding that his dialogues in the series were mostly impromptu.

Fliptop is a Filipino rap battle between two or more parties, wherein one tries to answer back the insulting barbs being thrown by their opponents.

“Paano madi-differentiate siguro, ‘yung pag-aartista wala lang siyang rhyme, more on emotion siya. Nung nag-artista ako hindi ko naman sinasabi na naging madali, pero dahil sa experience ko sa rap battle, naging easy peasy rin siya,” continued the rapper-actor.

The “Samin” singer also expressed his opinion about today being the golden era of OPM (original Philippine music).

“Parang ito na nga, sabi rin ni idol Chito Miranda, parang sinabi niya na ito ang golden age ng OPM, nanggaling pa mismo sa kanya ‘yan. Kumbaga sila ‘yung golden age. Para sakin, oo, kasi nandito na ‘yung mas malawak na platform, ‘yung internet,” he said, citing other examples such as P-pop powerhouse girl group BINI.

Smugglaz then shared his future vision for his career, saying he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Andrew E.

“One day, gusto ko magkaroon ng movie, tapos ako rin ang soundtrack. Nagawa na ‘yan ng marami, lalo na ‘yung mga idol natin, si Francis M., lalong lalo na si Sir Andrew E. Nawala na ‘yon, pero ngayon kasi bumabalik ‘yung rap at wala pa pong uli nakapwesto doon. Hindi ko naman sinasabi na ako ‘yung para doon. Ang sakin lang, nandito na ako, so sana,” he said.

The rapper-actor recently released his new song, “Piging,” and said it’s his tribute to his younger brother, who died after getting gunned down by an unknown individual.