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Long before becoming one of the country's most respected rappers and songwriters, Gloc-9 was already collecting stories from everyday people, something he now considers one of the greatest influences on his music.

Speaking with Kara David on i-Listen, the Pinoy rap icon, whose real name is Aristotle Pollisco, said his ability to observe and empathize with others became a gift that continues to shape his songwriting.

"Siguro kung meron man akong isang regalo na bigay sa akin, I see people, I hear people, I feel people, na malaking bagay sa pagsusulat ko ng kanta," he shared.

That perspective, he said, began during his childhood in Rizal. After his father returned home from working in Saudi Arabia and struggled to find employment, the family found another way to make a living.

"Noong bumalik ang tatay ko, mas nagkaroon kami ng bonding dahil ako naman ang kaniyang konduktor kapag nagbibiyahe kami ng jeep. Siyempre, wala na siyang work eh nung bumalik siya ng Pilipinas," Gloc-9 recalled.

His father eventually purchased his uncle's former fish transport vehicle and turned it into a passenger jeepney, where Gloc-9 helped out as a conductor and barker.

"'Binangonan! Binangonan! Binangonan!'" he recalled shouting to attract passengers.

Working inside the jeep also gave him a front-row seat to people's lives.

"Part din yun ng childhood ko... Ang upo ko kasi doon, hindi naman ako 'yung nakasabit sa labas. Ayaw ni tatay. So, meron akong maliit na bangkito. So, nakaupo ako sa gitna nung aisle sa pagitan ng lahat ng pasahero para kita mo lahat ng pasahero. Alam mo kung sino 'yung hindi pa nagbabayad. So naririnig mo lahat ng pinagkukuwentuhan nila," he said.

His fascination with people's stories extended beyond the jeepney. Growing up in a family that operated a sari-sari store, Gloc-9 said he would often overhear conversations from customers and neighbors.

"'Yung kuwento ng bumibili sa 'yo, naririnig mo na, e. Tapos yung mga kapitbahay mo na 'pag dumadaan lagi doon, naririnig mo nga yung kuwento nila. So lahat yun, I think, nagpatung-patong noong childhood days ko," he said.

Even before pursuing music, Gloc-9 discovered that writing came naturally to him. He remembered enjoying slogan-writing contests in elementary school, where he realized he could easily put his thoughts into words.

"Napansin ko parang madali sa akin 'yung gano'n, mag-construct ng mga lines. Hindi ko pa siya na-associate sa music noon. Alam ko lang madali sa akin 'to. O sa Tagalog, mas madali ko nai-express 'yung sarili ko," he explained.

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He added that growing up in Morong, Rizal, where deep Tagalog was commonly spoken, further nurtured his love for writing.

"I think 'yung love ko sa pagsusulat ang talagang nagtulak sa akin na mag-improve," he said.

Before achieving success in music, Gloc-9 also worked different jobs, including as a kitchen helper in the commissary of a Japanese fast-food chain and cleaning drainage canals.

"Pagdating ko ng 7 a.m., lilinisin ko 'yung garahe, kasi umalis na lahat ng delivery truck. Linisin ko 'yung garahe, labas ko lahat ng trash. Tapos lilinisin ko 'yung kanal sa tapat ng establishment," he recalled.

Looking back, he said every job taught him lessons that his parents encouraged him to embrace.

"Kung mayroong naituro sa akin ang mga magulang ko, make sure na kung ano ang opportunity na nasa harapan mo ngayon, yun ang pinakamagandang opportunity ngayon. Pag-igihan mo dahil it leads to your next opportunity. It will lead you to your next work," he said.

Gloc-9's experiences eventually found their way into his music, including his 2003 breakthrough hit "Simpleng Tao," which he co-wrote with Christian Martinez.

"'Yung song na 'yan ay co-writer ako ni Christian Martinez. Binigay niya na 'yung melody. Sabi niya, 'lagyan mo ng letra.' So, niletrahan ko siya.

"Siyempre, nanggaling ako sa hip-hop, sa rap na parang, 'Rapper ako eh. Bakit mo ako papakantahin ng ganito?' 'Yan 'yung itinuro sa akin ni Enrico Santos noon, isa sa mga mentor ko na okay lang naman na tingin mo ikaw ay isang mahusay na rapper. Pero until you reach a wider audience, medyo hindi madali. Kung gusto mo talagang tumagal, kailangan mo 'yan," he said.

Gloc-9 will soon share his learning in music to hopeful kids on The Voice Kids, where he is one of the coaches alongside Yeng Constantino and Julie Anne San Jose.

Watch Kara David's full interview with Gloc-9 on i-Listen: