Rap level-up with Gloc-9's 'Liham at Lihim'

There is reason to think that after Mga Kwento ng Makata Gloc-9 might have already run out of songs to write. Launched in August 2012, MKNM is the album that carried the epic success of a song that was “Sirena,” which might also be the most critically-acclaimed song on the Philippine homosexual experience. That was a level-up of original Pinoy music, in fact.

But Gloc-9 is one to keep a keen eye on nation's travails, and it is easy to see why he would never run out of songs to write: this country is reason enough to keep writing. All these years, and especially in his past four studio albums, Gloc-9 is the one dependable voice who will speak of nation because he knows it like the back of his hand, because he actually lives in nation, without removing himself from its sadness, or distancing himself from what's difficult.

In the upcoming album Liham at Lihim, what Gloc-9 reminds us is this: the task is not so much to find things to write about – if you know of nation then there are plenty to write about here; as it is more importantly to write songs that will do justice to nation, that will not put into question its peoples' experiences, that will point a critical finger at those who do not care enough.

There are many things that might be said about Gloc-9's songs after all, but one can never call it irresponsible. Every story is one that's thought about thoroughly and well. To Gloc-9, every subject of poverty deserves honesty and kindness.

“Magda,” the first song off Liham at Lihim is no different. And here, instead of talking about the life of Magda, and in the process taking control of the story, Gloc-9 the songwriter removes himself from the story. The person who speaks in the song is that of Ernesto, Magda's long-lost childhood sweetheart. Ernesto sees Magda, working with only her shoes on, and realizes it doesn't matter: what he and Magda have is love, and longing, and nostalgia, for a time when their lives were simpler.

Gloc-9 here, and Rico Blanco who sings the chorus of “Magda,” are the voices that ask questions, as they wonder about what has brought Magda to this point of selling body. Here, the premise of poverty is not one that Gloc-9 discusses, and neither is there a moralizing tone to the telling of Magda's story. In fact there is no conclusion to this at all, and as Ernesto is left with only questions about Magda, so are we all left with just the silences of her existence.

That this song speaks of prostitution is what we will be told. That this song barely discusses this, that the song is able to speak of Magda without dramatizing her experience, that the song uses symbols and not dramatic situation, is borne of the gift that is Gloc-9's songwriting. This is what we forget to often about him. He is rapper and songwriter. And his songwriting is evolving, going beyond what it has done before, insisting on other ways of telling stories, and of looking at the world.

This is rap level-up like no other. That Gloc-9 is the one doing it, is no surprise.


Liham At Lihim will be launched on October 26 2013, 7 p.m. at the Eastwood Central Plaza. This is Gloc-9's second album with Universal Records. Liham at Lihim features Gloc-9 collaborations with Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Quest, Marc Abaya, Zia Quizon, Kamikazee, Eunice of Gracenote, Denise Barbacena, and Sly Kane.