When you talk about Hip hop pioneers dito sa Pinas syempre unang mababanggit ang pangalan ng The late Great master rapper Francis Magalona at imposible hindi mabanggit ang pangalan ni Mr. Andrew E. Ang tanging rapper sa era na yun (Genesis Era ng rap) na active parin ngayon and still kicking ass. Pero may isang group mula sa panahon na yun and they are generally considered as the first rap group in the Philippine hiphop scene. BASS RHYME POSSE made noise sa Hip hop scene sa pinas before pa malaman ng mga pinoy ang salitang RAP..here is my quick chit chat with
Norman B A.K.A Cool MC Norm of BASS RHYME POSSE...
enjoy...
CHUCKY:
First of all salamat po sa time and its an honor po makausap isang legend na tulad po ninyo ...para sa mga hindi nakakaalam...san po ba nagsimula ang bass rhyme posse... .
NORMAN B:
Thank you chuck..Anyway lemme give u a lil more info about how the group started as far as I accurately remember. There were a lot of struggles and obstacles we had to overcome before we got recognized. Before Bass Rhyme, there was R.A.P Crew (RockAllPArties Crew), the members were Rap Master Fordy (Andrew E), Cool MC Norm (Norman
B), Andy Luv MD, Ice Tee, B-Boy Louie, Tuff Alf, Jayler Jay. We were actually a DJ Mobile
service but instead of just spinning mixes during parties, we also rap
and perform (that time, people were weirded out coz rap wasn't really
exposed yet). Andrew E also had a dance crew called Ground Control, whose members also included Jay Smooth MC and Juice D (Lowkey's uncle). Andrew E then introduced Jay Smooth MC to me and Andy and that's when we formed the group that has the initial name "Pine Rhyme Posse"(Pine coz we're all from "Las Pinas") and later on was changed to "Bass Rhyme Posse"
CHUCKY:
How was it like back then when not everyone knew what "RAP" was?? And did you guys knew back then that you were to become the pioneers here in the country and would inspire others that till this day would say " We owe it to those guys..kung wala sila hindi malamang ganito ang Rap sa Pinas"?
NORMAN B:
Back then when Rap is not known as a music genre yet, people would stare at us when we grab the mic and start rhyming.They didn't know what we are doing. A few were fascinated about it but most were laughing at us. Penetrating the recording industry was even tougher coz since it wasn't known, no recording company would want to invest their money and time to something they're not sure would profit them. The only time that recording rap music was given a break was when Kiko (Francis M) finally came out with a full length rap album. But the problem then was recording companies branded and understood rap music as "novelty" and they wouldn't sign you up for a contract if you don't have novelty songs in your album which would be the carrier single of your album. In our case, we never had a single novelty song in our album originally but Viva-RJ records doesn't want to release our album until we make novelty songs.And that was when I wrote "Juan T. Anga" which ultimately became the carrier single. we really didn't favor this but we're bound by a recording contract that's why we had no choice. and added to that, we were forced to record a spoof of popular songs from Andrew E's, Denmark's in our album. That's why "Ang mga surot" was created to release these songs. But on a positive note, before we landed on a recording contract, there were already a few followers of rap music mostly from the underground scene.
CHUCKY:
How was it like back then to go head to head or to get a stint or shot on the mainstream when as you said you guys didnt had any novelty songs? How did you guys made that kind of adjustments and still kick ass.
NORMAN B:
It was really hard to get into the mainstream without having a novelty song as your carrier single. We really didn't have novelty songs on our album originally but boss Vic del Rosario doesn't want to release the album until we add novelty songs. Coz that's how they understand what rap was. we ended up making novelty songs and sadly, it became our carrier single. We strongly opposed this so what we did was we do underground shows so we can perform the songs that we really want to be our sound as a group.
Andrew E played an important role as this stage as well. Our performances at "That's Entertainment" where we did "buhay estudyante" spearheaded our brand as a legit rap group. After that, we were then allowed to perform other tracks from the album like "let the beat flow" and "basura". The underground scene also became our venue to showcase what we got as a rap group and what we are capable of.
Looking back then na nagsisimula palang ang Hip Hop sa Pinas at today na mas tanggap at mainstream na talaga, what is the difference both sa music at ng mga listeners then and now?
NORMAN B:
When we made our album back then, our hands were "tied" by the recording contract that we signed on. If we had it our way, the whole album would have sounded way differently, music-wise. We have argued so many times with the arranger, our manager, etc., about "sampling" the original vs re-arranged cover version of the song or part of a song we want to use in our tracks. We failed but because of our desire to introduce rap music, we just gave in. If you have a copy of our album, you will notice that you won't hear any original sampling on any of the tracks. the only original sample you will hear are "stabs" or bits and pieces and majority of them is from the dj scratch part. In my opinion, if you're not going to sample the original and just use a "re-arranged" cover version of the original, you might as well not use it and just create a totally new one. No hatin' on the artists who do this, this is just a personal view of mine. although, some artists were luckier than we were back then coz they were able to "sample" in their tracks. If i'm not mistaken, RapAsia was one of the groups who was able to do this.
Anyway, comparing the "then and now" when it comes to music creation, I can say that artists nowadays are luckier because of the availability of technology everywhere, be it hardware or software. I'm very impressed on the high quality of music i hear created by "unsigned" artists who sometimes recorded their tracks on a "makeshift" studio and created their music just using available free software from the web. I guess, it's the love for the culture and passion for music mixed together that bring out the talent on every artist. I have high respect to any artist, signed or unsigned, who has the love for music and expresses it by creating his own.
The difference between the listeners then and now? Listeners now are more educated about the music and the culture itself. And by being educated, the talent and the music of every artist are more recognized and appreciated now compared to before. back then, people define rap music as novelty. Now, not only do people recognize rap as a genre but people also recognize the hip hop culture and all its elements.
CHUCKY:
Early 90's nawala kayo sa Philippine rap scene. When and how did you guys decided na "stop muna" pursue muna tayo ng ibang bagay sa buhay .
NORMAN B:
After the first album, we were forced to do the "surot album" which is not really our group album. Its more like bass rhyme + denmark spoof album. Then before we can create a second album, Jay Smooth has to migrate to the US already and Andy Luv pursued his nursing career. Jay Smooth and his brother Jeric and some other friends then formed a band called "Blok-Blok" in the US. He opened his doors to his versatility in music as he was also a former drummer of Ely Buendia. I was still semi-active in the hip hop scene when Andy and Jay kinda laid low. I guested in DFT's first album. I also composed, recorded and performed the rap part in Dingdong Avanzado's revival of "awitin mo at isasayaw ko". I still hooked up with Andrew (Andrew E)in some of his gigs. I migrated to the US in 2001.
CHUCKY:
Talking about Andrew E. What can you say about sa narating nya, considering that you guys started at the same time and he still kicking ass till this day sa Rap scene dito sa Pinas.
NORMAN B:
I have all praises and respect for Ford. Andy, Jay and I were there to witness everything unfold. I remember before we even started our mobile dj gig, we would hang out and he will let us borrow LP's of ll cool j, fat boys, beastie boys and cassette tapes of run-dmc, grandmaster flash,etc. I also remember the time when we would go to glorietta just to hangout and breakdance and sometimes battle. Anyway, fast forward to his music career, I remember when he called late at night one time and asked me to come over so i can hear the rough recording of "Humanap ka ng panget". I was cracking up just listening to the lyrics, the melody, everything and we both knew that it would be an instant hit. Aside from Kiko (Francis M), he is also one of the foundations of the hip hop community in the PI. Not only did he contributed in penetrating the mainstream but he expanded the culture by creating his own record label and gave a lot of people a chance on the music industry by producing and distributing their albums. There might be some rough times in the course of doing that, but I guess that's part of the game. Its not gonna be always perfect but you just try to make things work.
Together with Andrew and Kiko as pioneers, we are so humbled to be recognized as the first rap group in the PI. We also have madd love and respect to all the cats and crews who are still very active in the scene until now.
CHUCKY:
Believe me a lot of young cats of today looks up to you guys and gives thanks for paving the way para sa kanila. Is there someone in today's scene or in recent years locally that you think got some potential or someone that caught your eye or ear? And what can you say about the current state of HIP HOP in the country?
NORMAN B:
Thank you Chucky. Thats very humbling and heartwarming to know. Honestly, I'm not really updated with the local hip hop scene except for the ones I read about on blogs and social media outlets. I've only known about some cats coz I've seen them on the "flip top" battle videos. But one thing is for sure, hip hop in the PI is unstoppable and is going to grow even bigger. i know there are "beef" among cats but thats how it is. just as long as cats battle it out on d mic, i think its all good.
CHUCKY:
Thank you for your time and a lot of people are looking forward for this interview and thank you for taking us back to our roots. Can we expect a Bass Rhyme Posse reunion? an album perhaps?
NORMAN B:
Pleasure's all mine Chucky. I hope a lot of cats would get something positive out of the views from myself and from other old skool cats. its all about positivity and good music.
Reunion album? believe me we really wanted to make one. We've actually conceptualized it already. It would have been called "BalikBayan Boxx" and we're supposed to come up with "BassRhyme Remixx Album" and I think, is more "doable" but we'll see. We have to reconnect with one of our dj's back home, DJ Mick 'Spintech' and hopefully hookup with DJ Rod DVS Torres.
CHUCKY:
Cool!!that would be great and a lot of old and new school guys will definetely look forward for that. Last word sir para sa mga nagbabasa at naka ilang message na para ilabas ko na tong interview na to
and shout outs for everyone that loves this MUSIC.NORMAN B:
For those reading this, thank you for taking time out in reading this and I hope Ii've managed to share a piece of our group's history and a part of pinoy rap history as well, for that matter.
For all them aspiring cats, don't give up. it's not all about mainstream. Its about the love for the music, culture and positivity.
People would remember you for what you've done and not for what you're planning to do, so keep making dreams into reality.
peace yo!
- NormanB
