At some period it became super cool to collaborate with a guy christened as Francis Magalona’s heir to the throne. Yes, getting Gloc-9 to rap on one of your songs was at one point a way to show fans that you’re on top of the heap or had gotten a big break.
To do the same maneuver in 2023 is not passe. In fact, whereas Gloc-9 was the hottest ticket sometime in the past, now he has evolved into a music icon – a beloved figure out of the shadow of a master rapper. He has established his name as a musical poet who inspires the downtrodden and who chooses to tell stories of the common man surviving hurdles.
Yeah, legions of small minds may easily fall prey to the lure of dirty rap being performed by recording artists who gaslight people they accuse of being green-minded. But there will always be empowered souls listening to what Gloc-9 and his collaborators have to offer.
The Pinoy rap A-lister recently lent his highly acknowledged skill to Chocolate Factory, a five-piece pride of Pampanga that integrates classic rock to reggae, jazz, and blues. The track is “Paglipad,” dropped on digital stores last September 15.
The song, according to insiders of the band that released songs now boasting millions of streams, is “a reminder of pushing forward through all obstacles” and “eventually turning adversity to advantage.”
Musically, the song is reminiscent of rock groups that fuse rap verses with melodically strong choruses, like Dicta License does and Slapshock did. “Huwag kang matatakot na magkamali,” its chorus says.
By the time someone urges, “Tandaan mo lamang ang sinabi ko,” you know it’s something Gloc-9 would say and there’s no doubt it’s him behind it. Talkin’ about a distinctive voice with clear, good messaging!
While having a major rap star on a track is a guaranteed push, big credit should still be given to the artist who does most of the recording elements. Chocolate Factory is advertised as a reggae collective, but there’s more to the band.
Versatility is their operative word. That is why in their most streamed track, “Kung Ika’y Akin,” currently with more than 10 million clicks and counting, they went Tag-lish, singing “I’ll never gonna make you cry/ ‘Di kita iiwan habang buhay.”
The group’s vocal synergy is best put on display on “Asa Ka Pa,” off their Kriminal Minds EP which earned a nomination at the 2021 Awit Awards for Best World Music Recording.
Their song “Lord” actually won an Awit for the same category in 2020.
“Paglipad’s” official music video, directed by Andrei Julitan, features a girl character enduring the challenges one faces in fight sports, and likewise featuring Gloc-9.
According to their Spotify bio, Chocolate Factory’s “high proficiency and mastery in playing their instruments” mixes well with their stage presence. By now they have more than 200,000 monthly listeners as they “manage to win the hearts of the people.”
Gloc-9 may have lost track of how many artists he has collaborated with to date. But he is consistent with teaming up with charismatically talented acts. That makes songs featuring him extra special.