Last year, the U.S. Congress passed Resolution 331, which designates August 11 as “Hip Hop Celebration Day” with the month of August as “Hip Hop Recognition Month” and marks November as “National Hip Hop History Month.”
For the inaugural National Hip Hop History Month, HipHopDX Asia launched a series of dance videos to commemorate the history of the global music and cultural movement in five different Asian countries.
The first video was set in the Philippines, which is said to have developed the first hip hop scene and community in Southeast Asia, with some accounts noting it’s the oldest in Asia, dating back to the early 1980s.
AD LOADING...
A Quick Guide To Filipino Rap History And Identity
But DJ-ing has long predated hip hop culture in the Philippines. According to National Geographic, “Filipino Americans were some of the first people to experiment with mobile DJ crews in the 1960s and 1970s. Disc jockeys, or DJs, were responsible for providing the music at clubs, parties, and other social events.”
Pinoy singer and comedian George Javier recorded “Na Onseng Delight” in 1980, a parody version of Sugarhill Gang’s 1979 track, “Rappers Delight,” and was considered the first recorded Pinoy rap song and first non-English rap track.
AD LOADING...
For our dance video for Hip Hop Music History Philippines, we tapped two-time World Hip Hop Dance Champions Philippine All-Stars (choreographed by Vince Mendoza “Crazybeans”) to interpret the 11-track mix by Filipino producer Maaliw, which includes classics from Mastaplann, Legit Misfitz, Rapasia, Sun Valley Crew, Francis Magalona, and more.
The mix also features Francis Magalona’s “Whole Lotta Lovin’ (Remix),” which interpolates “Alapaap” by Eraserheads.
How The Filipino Language Evolved And Impacted Pinoy Hip Hop
AD LOADING...
Tracklist:
- Bass Rhyme Posse – Let The Beat Flow
- Michael V – Gusto Kong Sumigaw
- Mastaplann – Bring That Booty
- Legit Misfitz – Jabongga
- Francis M – Man From Manila
- Sun Valley Crew – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright
- Legit Misfitz – Same Game
- Rapasia – Hoy Tsismosa
- Kulay – Get Down
- Andrew E – T.I.P.A.R
- Francis M – Whole Lotta Lovin’ (Remix)
The music video also showcases iconic and historic landmarks in the Philippines, such as Binondo (the world’s oldest Chinatown), Rizal Park (where national hero José Rizal was executed by the colonial Spanish Army), and the Spanish-era walled area of Intramuros. Some of the dancers are also seen wearing the traditional barong tagalog (an embroidered long-sleeved formal shirt for men and a national dress of the Philippines).
AD LOADING...
HipHopDX Asia Premieres Historic 'The Regionals: Philippines’—Watch
Watch Hip Hop Music History Philippines (Dance Video) below:
