Def Jam Philippines signee Tommie King celebrates his return to the Philippines with his newest single. “Nights In Manila” details the city’s turned-up nightlife scene from the rapper’s perspective. The smooth and wavy banger is definitely a soundtrack that all can relate to if you have partied in the Philippines.
Tommie King, an Atlanta native, has spent the last two years waiting for his second home country's borders to open up before returning earlier this year. Not only is "Nights In Manila" a feel-good track to add to your late-night playlists, but it's also an ode to the rapper/singer's feeling homesick while reminiscing about the culture and lifestyle in Manila and missing loved ones.
Stream “Nights In Manila” and check out our Q/A with the MC below.
Q: First and foremost, let’s have those who are meeting you for the first time get to know you more through your music. Send us three clips, which can be anything from released songs, music videos, TikTok challenges, freestyles, covers, etc for our readers to get a glimpse of your sound.
Q: Describe your sound in 3 words:
Passionate. Original. Addictive.
Q: Who are your biggest influences as an artist?
Kanye West of course. OutKast. Central Cee
Q: Name 3 Filipino artists you’d like to collaborate with in the future:
Skusta Clee
Gloc-9
Juan Karlos
Q: What was your inspiration behind Nights In Manila? What was the creative process behind the song?
It came completely natural. I don’t really enter the studio with a song idea, it’s more of a feeling. That day I had got some bad news about re-entering Manila and started reminiscing on all the fun I had in the nightlife there. When I found a beat that I liked, it was the first natural thing that came out of my mouth “I been missing those Nights In Manila” and the rest really just all came out kinda quickly.
Q: How does it feel to carry on the Def Jam legacy here in the Philippines?
Most amazing feeling. I’m incredibly proud to be part of the Def Jam team. There’s so much history and hip-hop culture associated with the brand for decades back and I feel chosen to lead it into the future in a way.
Q: A lot of the lyrics in the song discuss you missing Nights In Manila. How was the experience waiting for the borders to open up?
Painstaking. That’s the best way to describe it. Missing loved ones is definitely the hardest part, especially the uncertainty of when I could come back, and if I ever will. Now, I’m just glad to be back 100%.
Q: As a rapper from America, what made you choose to return to the Philippines? What is it about the culture here that makes you proud to call Manila your second home?
There’s a lot of things, but the ability to be free as an artist in what I choose to make sonically in terms of sound is the biggest thing for me. Here people can appreciate talent in the purest form, I can use all my skills and tools to make all genres more or less. In America, it doesn’t work that way. A rapper is just a rapper, and that extends farther than just music.
Q: We saw your song was recently up on an EDSA billboard. How did it feel seeing yourself on the busiest highway in the country?
That was a milestone, but also proof that you can do anything that you set your mind to. I wanted that billboard for years. Literally, since the first day I laid eyes on it. It’s very reassuring and makes me feel like I’m doing what I was truly meant to do! It feeds the strength inside me that fights my inner critic.
Q: Now that you're back in Manila, what's next for Tommie King? Any upcoming releases that we should be on lookout for?
I’m gonna be pushing Nights In Manila for another month or so, but in between now and my next official release, I’m gonna drop something so the billboard moment lives forever for me and my current + future fans. After that, mark my words, I’m gonna drop a song that changes rap in the Philippines FOREVER!
Nik Makino, the Filipino rapper best known for his viral hits Nenang B and Lexi, has just released his heavily anticipated debut album Hype One’s. While the two aforementioned fan favorites were turn-up classics within the local rap scene, his first full-length release switches gears to a more serious tone discussing his true self and his aspirations.
“I want my fans and listeners to know me better aside sa fact na I’m the man behind the song Lexi and Neneng B. I want them to see that Nik Makino is more than those two hit tracks which paved my way in the local hip-hop music scene. This time, I want more people to relate and connect with my songs in a more positive manner, basing it on my own self-realizations and experiences.” says Makino.
It’s no surprise that Nik has found a new level of self-awareness, as the rapper has matured a lot since his first set of hit singles. Now a full-time father and partner, the MC has switched it up from playa raps to self-reflection and personal pep talks, acknowledging the influence he has on his fans. His first set of music videos from the project was shot with minimal equipment to inspire fans, both musicians and non-musicians alike, to work with what they have.
Check out Nik Makino’s Hype One’s album here and his music videos for “READY KA” and “DAHAN LANG” below.
Earlier this summer, rapper Killy announced his 2021 EURO Tour, but due to Covid, a shift in plans has made its way to 2022 dates instead. But European fans don't have to worry because all purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates. So who is this rising star? Let's get to know him.
Killy is a 24-year-old Filipino Candian Rapper from Toronto who has been a fast-rising star in Canada these past few years, even dubbed "Toronto's biggest rap export since Drake." Killy first entered the scene with a break-out single, "Killamonjaro," certified Platinum by Music Canada.
In 2019 he released Drake approved track "Triple Helix" under Epic Records. He's had two studio albums, an extended play, and an ongoing list of singles, including his certified platinum hits, "Killamonjaro" and "No Sad No Bad." To say he stays busy is an understatement.
Killy is constantly releasing new music and updates so make sure to follow him on all his socials to keep up to date for what's next.
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Cover Photo Courtesy of Killy Instagram
