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Gloc-9’s back-to-back cry to vote responsibly

Gloc-9's new advocacy. (Photo used with Gloc-9's permission)

Gloc-9 has been as busy as politicos hawking promises these days.

On the week of the official start of the campaign season, the rapper unleashed two songs advocating for clean, honest elections.

The first song entitled “Dapat Tama” debuted Monday night, Feb. 11, on the GMA evening newscast “24 Oras.”

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Gloc 9 performs the song with his protégé, pop singer Denise Barbacena, to serve as soundtrack to the Dapat Tama advocacy of GMA Network’s News and Public Affairs group.

Not playing the blame game

In lyrics and gestures, Gloc 9 and Denise call on the voting public to use their minds and hearts in deciding who they will vote into office. The lines go: “Kung di tayo kumbinsido wag na natin ihalal/ Dahil sa dulo bawal ang kakamot kamot.” (“If you’re not convinced, don’t vote for them/Cause at the polls, you don’t start scratching your head.”)

In an email exchange with Yahoo! Philippines OMG!, Gloc-9 says, “I can easily say that the song expresses my personal disappointment with those we elect into public office. But that would not be fair. I would rather say that ‘Dapat Tama’ is not about putting the blame on anybody.

Watch the video of 'Dapat Tama'

“Remember, we vote these people into office. It would unfortunate if we start looking for somebody to blame. We might as well be pointing fingers at ourselves for allowing the kind of people we elect into office.”

Vote with minds and hearts

Instead of pointing a finger outward, Gloc 9 and Denise tap their head and the breast during the performance. The point is to encourage voters to use the mind and heart in making the right decision.

The rapper adds, “TV personality Ms. Jessica Soho suggested the title and the gestures. They drive home the point that voters should be more proactive in making their choices. My own intent in recording the song is to precisely inform the people to use their minds and hearts when they cast their ballots.”

The second song is a collaboration between Gloc 9 and Kamikazee with guest appearances by Wolfgang’s guitarist Manuel Legarda and Queso’s Biboy Garcia.

‘Kunwari’ is the flipside of ‘Dapat Tama’

Entitled “Kunwari”, it’s a hard rock number in which Gloc 9 and Kamikazee’s Jay Contreras assume the role of a candidate seeking fervently an elective post.

WATCH THE VIDEO, VIEW PHOTO GALLERY: ‘Kunwari’ by Kamikazee and Gloc-9, photos by Niña Sandejas

The twist? The aspirant has all the wrong qualifications to be elected to a public office even as he insists he’s the only one worthy of the post.

It’s a flip of “Dapat Tama.” Gloc 9 says, “Kunwari” has a sarcastic tone. We’re just having fun but we also hope to inform the people of what not to look for in a candidate.”

A mash-up of people’s feelings

“I wrote the song some years back, and me and Kamikazee have always talked about doing a song together. We enjoyed producing “Kunwari” and as always, in the company of excellent musicians, I’m happy at how it actually turned out.”

Gloc 9 adds that while the two songs have differing themes, their appeal should span all ages and sentiments.

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The two songs mash up a lot of people’s feelings about elections. For Gloc 9, it’s a personal crusade as the circus rolls into town. It’s also about democracy and the challenge of real change.

And while you’re at it, our favorite rapper dances on the bones of our eroding faith in the system.