One word to describe Midnasty’s long-awaited comeback album? Hawod! Add another, and it’s hawod kaayo!
The phrase perfectly captures the pride and power behind the Bisaya rap trio’s latest release, “Tribute To Thyself.”
Ten years since their last full album, “Brave,” the Dumaguete-based trio returns with a record that’s both personal and powerful. True to their roots and tinuod nga istorya [real story], Midnasty opens up a new chapter with seven tracks that reflect their evolution not only as artists, but as mga tawo nga niagi og daghang pagsulay [people who have gone through many struggles].
“Ang journey man gud sa Brave is the world is for the bravest… we [had to] be brave ‘cause among gi-pursue ang what we love to do,” recalls Arkho, reflecting on how they chased their passion despite the odds.
Now, a decade later, much has changed — from collaborations to a growing community of fans. “Fast forward [to now], a lot has happened, our music has spread, people [collaborate] with us, and we have a community,” Arkho shares. “If ‘the world is for the bravest’ was the mantra of the last album, [this album’s mantra] is ‘man, you did good.’ [...] You need to say thank you, whatever tribute to yourself – like, you did a really good job for these past few years in the journey of Midnasty.”
Kung ang “Brave” maoy pasiklap sa ilang bibo nga estilo [If Brave was the showcase of their lively and energetic style], “Tribute To Thyself” marks a more mature, reflective phase. Songs like “GASIGA” are rooted in pagtuo (faith) and paglaum (hope), with Makoy reflecting on strength from a higher power. Meanwhile, “Arkohol” confronts mga pagsakit [painful experiences] and how one learns to cope.
But beyond the music, “Tribute To Thyself” serves as a message of pasalamat not only to themselves but to everyone who’s been part of their journey.
“Murag ang whole album kay designed nga inspiring and healing (It’s like the whole album was designed to be inspiring and healing),” shares Makoy.
With this comeback, Midnasty proves once again that they are truly hawod — commanding, confident, and always grounded in the Bisaya soul.
Midnasty is back with a new single! The Dumaguete City-based collective is back on their mission of bringing Visayan culture to the world. The group recently released their second single of the year entitled “Nissan.” Sonically, the track is a fast-paced and colorful song that speaks on love, car chases, and bringing the islands together.
Midnasty combines their trademarked melodic flows with cinematic storytelling as they ready fans for their upcoming album. Their highly anticipated sophomore album entitled “Pacific Islander” is set to drop later this year. Watch the music video for “Nissan” below.
Midnasty has been a mainstay in the Philippine music scene, making waves and putting on for Dumaguete since 2004. Recently, the famed group released their latest single "Solo Na Lobo," a drill-inspired single about their triumphs through their trials and tribulations, is their first drop under Warner Music's partnership Filipino record label ParaIsla through 7640, a full-scale music and video production subsidiary under AGC Power Holdings Corp. We had sat down with the group and discussed their new partnership, their new single, what it means to them to represent Dumaguete on a global scale, and much more.
Q: First and foremost, let’s have those who are meeting you for the first time get to know you all more through your music. Send us three clips, can be anything from released songs, music videos, live show performances, interviewers, etc. for our readers to get a glimpse of who Midnasty are as artists.
Q: Describe your sound in 3 words?
Destined for greatness
Q: How much does being from Dumaguete City influence you? For example how much does it influence your sound and your passion for breaking barriers from your backyard?
Growing up in the city of gentle people, taught me to be calm and peaceful. Though we grew up in the ghetto, we remain positive. And the same goes for our music, it always tells the story of love, harmony, and triumph.
Q: Solo Na Labo sounds very drill influenced. Drill is a sound that regionally dominates in the UK, Chicago, and New York. What inspired you all when making this hard-hitting single? Is there a distinct regional sound from Dumaguete City that you plan on introducing to the world, similar to how drill has inspired artists worldwide?
We decided to use drill and put our style to it. This project also serves as our contribution to the local hip hop scene, showing our flexibility in any genre. We wanted to express to the fans that it's okay to play and experiment with music styles.
Q: Being from the Philippines, how much does it mean to you to partner with Warner Music and to plan to take your music international?
It's an honor to partner with Warner Music. Remembering those days where you send demos to radio stations and send mixtapes to labels hoping to get the chance to work with them, and now we are here. It is also a good feeling to be given freedom in creating different styles of music with everyone having confidence in our output. Wherever the music will take us, we will represent our roots and of course, the Warner family, who first trusted our group with taking the next step to global heights.
Q: Reading your background story, this wasn’t an overnight success. This is years, decades, 10,000 hours plus of grinding: blood, sweat, and tears. What advice would you share with any up-and-coming artists struggling with the process right now?
Our simple advice to all upcoming artists is - Trust. Take your time, and wait for the right moments. Stay hungry for progress and remember that there is always room for improvement.
Q: What should fans, both old and new, be on the lookout for from Midnasty in 2022 and beyond?
Let's all together celebrate and witness as we elevate our game in the platform, with all the endless possibilities on what we have in store for everyone.
Q: Where can we find you on social media and follow/like/subscribe to you?
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/midnastyofficial
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midnastyofficial/?hl=en
Tiktok - https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSewV8WVf
Twitter - https://twitter.com/midnasty_?lang=en
YouTube - https://youtube.com/c/Midnasty
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