unexpectedly cool

Bronze P, a pride of Ilonggo land

In the musical stage of life, real and genuine talent counts most. Add a life-larger passion and everything will follow. All you need to do is believe in what you have and capable of. But for Bronze P, music and rapping is all about passion, his natural inclination, and something that gives him outlet for expression. Making music, mix it up with his emotion, and performing is what makes him happy. He wanted to entertain people by not compromising his creativity and natural artistry as a music artist. He wanted to be real and interactive, reasons why he chooses to write, sing, and record his songs in native tongue-Ilonggo.

Since he was 15, making a statement with his music is what Bronze P is passionate for. Now, he’s in his early 20s but still nothing has change. He already cemented two “rapalicious” rap album with original tracks though sold only through his friends and local supporters. But anyone who hears his songs and tracks can easily conclude that this guy really have “talent.” We mean real talent in rapping and making music that flows like liquid: spontaneous, rapid, smooth-flowing, and truly creative in ways that would make you click the rewind button of your mp3 player or ipod.

He released original singles through youtube.com and other internet sites that created his local fan base. Some of his singles worth mentioning are “Naluyag ako sa Imo” (I’m in Love with you), “Pinakagwapo” (Most handsome), “Ikaw” (You), his latest songs on the radio “My Friendster Girl” and “Follow me on Twitter.” The last two songs are reflection of his techie side, someone like him who showed fondness for cyberspace social networking. Everybody cares about it now since we are in the era of internet dependency (sort of). His next venture with his group of Ilonggo rappers/singers is to release “Danz to FB,” a song inspired by facebook.com. The song is a mixture of 80s dance music, flavoured by smooth and catchy rapping, and yes, a groovy music video, too. If radio listeners will hear it, it would be a potential hit.

Bronze P’s artistic pursuits brought him to a wider and promising road of great opportunities. One of these is his collaboration with another Ilonggo singer, Reyn Callao to record the theme song of itravel Philippines magazine. But his unexpected luck came in when he entered the semi-final list for the nomination for Best New Artist Category in the 2010 Philippine Hiphop Awards. It was a surprise for Bronze P since he only promote his songs online. Now, recent result shows that Bronze P is leading in the online voting and something he is grateful for. He is grateful because it is both an honor and privilege for his part to be listed along with other mainstream Manila-based new hiphop artists. It shows that there are people who appreciate locally-recorded music.

Whatever happens, Bronze P vowed to remain humble, grateful, and passionate to make music from the heart... right in the heart of the Ilonggo land.

Happy Feat

Bronze P's surprise nomination for Philippine Hip-Hop Awards 2010

Working independently on his passion for music, Ilonggo rap artist, Bronze P remained focused for his aspiration to express his artistry, entertain a small base of local fans, and break boundaries with his ingenuity. Since 2006-2007, Bronze P, a musically-inclined teenager put his gifts for music into good use and was able produced the first jingle of Mang Inasal, an extraordinarily popular food chain that originated in Iloilo City. Along with his rap buddies, they sang “Kumbinsing” (convincing) to the top of their lungs in every music gig they attended and the jingle tattooed in the mind of Ilonggos who came to love the scrumptious taste of Mang Inasal Chicken. Nope, he’s not promoting the food chain these days, but proof of his ingenuity is his capability to create distinct, catchy, and fresh tunes. It is a natural talent he refused to give up for the sake of expression, artistry and creativity, a priceless feat for born artist like him.

Even before the Mang Inasal jingle phenomena, Bronze P pushed through in producing his own music and came up with his debut album with the help of his close buddy Mouth 3, the godfather of Ilonggo rap and founder of Southsyd Souljaz. For a brief time, he founded IDS (Ilonggo Dyad Souljaz) and produced their own original materials. Later, he co-founded Netbench Studioes located in La Paz, Iloilo City that ushered the rise of several independent local rap and hiphop artists.

This year, Bronze P aspires to release a new fresh sound starting with his single “My Friendster Girl” and other catchy rap songs. If fate will be a bit kinder to him, he wanted a full new album. His latest single is currently playing in MOR 91.1 and Star FM Iloilo. Hopefully, other local FM stations will soon play his song on air. Bronze P is a kind of music artist who easily embrace change, innovation, and permits evolution with his style. Currently, he is working for a special project with Reyn Callao, a rising local pop artist (http://reyncallao.blogspot.com/). He wanted to explore new dimension and unmask a new face of his music with this project. Hopefully, he wanted to reintroduce rap and hip-hop music that is distinctly Ilonggo by heart and soul this 2010.

Surprisingly, 4tune Boy, a music buddy whom he met a few years ago informed him through a text message that he was included in the pre-final nomination for Best New Artist in the upcoming Philippine Hip-Hop Awards 2010 organized by Empire Entertainment annually to gather the best and brightest in local hip-hop music industry. Check out http://www.philippinehiphopawards.page.tl/VOTE-NOW-ar--ar--ar-.htm?uid=20 for more information on how to vote. 4tune Boy recently released online a remix version of “My Friendster Girl” (http://soundcloud.com/4tuneboy-remix/bronze-p-friendster-girl-4tuneboy-edit). Upon receiving the news, Bronze P felt humbled and inspired at the same time. He never expected such citation since he only worked independently without mainstream exposure, promotion or commercial album in the market. What he does best is following his instinct and inclination and relying on internet posting of his music. For him, being nominated along with some of today’s rising hip-hop artists like fellow Ilonggo Young JV, Pinoy Republic, Hi-C, and many others is already a huge feat for him. After all, Bronze P believes that real winning counts most in personal expression, influencing people to believe in their talents, and making a name through hardwork and dedication. Awards and recognitions are bonuses of an artist’s journey to fulfillment.

But we are talking about Ilonggo music. A little industry comprised of dedicated, self-inspired, and optimistic artists envisioning a revival and renaissance of local artistry that has long been denied, if not, forgotten by many. We have been overwhelmed by American and western music for decades but we sometimes forgot how talented, creative, and sentimental we Ilonggos are if we try or somehow embrace the distinct music that we can do. With Iloilo City’s continued rise, so must our local music and bring back our cultural pride. Hopefully, this little industry will soon have its expansion.

Bronze P is an Ilonggo music artist who wanted to share his artistry. It is a journey and an advocacy he found something worth fighting for in form of music. Vote for him now by logging on to http://www.philippinehiphopawards.page.tl/VOTE-NOW-ar--ar--ar-.htm?uid=20

look back, strike back

Bronze P's prelude

RnB and rap musician Bronze P of La Paz, Iloilo City is an independent Ilonggo artist under his own production label, Bronze Beats. His musical influences are 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Eminem, G Unit, Usher, Kanye West, and Ill Pride.

His career started at the age of 14 with making beats at HandyPlus Computer Center at LaPaz, Iloilo City (now known as Netbench Studios) using E-Jay Music Creator in PS2.

At 15, in High School, he and his buddies Jaylord Galve and Emmanuel Carlo "Mico" Peñalosa started listening to rap music in their pastime, with G Unit's "Beg for Mercy" as their favorite CD. Influenced by 50 Cent, he was inspired to make his own music and he discovered his passion for it.

At the age of 16 in College, he met Mouth 3, the Godfather of Ilonggo Rap, who is also a producer and the King of the underground rap group called Southsyd Souljaz. Mouth 3 produced the debut CD of Bronze P called Da Underdogs. Even though he didn't make it to the Southsyd Souljaz due to schedule conflicts, he and R-Nic, a member of Southsyd Souljaz, decided to make their own duo group called IDS (Ilonggo Dyad Souljaz). He acted as a producer and produced their own records.

In 2006, the duo made a rap jingle for Mang Inasal. Fortunately, the jingle was approved by the CEO and is currently playing in the airwaves. The duo then decided to put up their own studio which is now known as Netbench Studios. Alas, due to some personal issues, he and R-Nic went on separate ways.

Like R-Nic, Bronze P is now a solo artist and makes his CDs independently. He also produces beats for other Ilonggo artists such as R-Nic, Paramour Sifee, R-Dawn, and Sayuke Clan, to name a few.

Visit his other webpage: http://www.bronze-p.synthasite.com/

(This article was lifted from http://archipelago-music.blogspot.com/search/label/Hiligaynon)

Opening number

What it means to make Ilonggo music for Bronze P.

Take it or leave it, music is about passion that starts and continues with a willing heart. Sometimes for music artists, making music is priceless and a gift that needs to be harnessed. Making a statement and following your artistic instinct are evidence of a relevant reality that a musician must follow to satiate his longing for fulfilment.

Making music means a lot for Bronze P., an Ilonggo music artist by heart who started to realize his inclination for music during his childhood. At a very young age, he was inspired to embraced hiphop, rap, and urban music. In his teenage years, he already made music of his own-original, cathcy, and upbeat. He wrote rap verses, performed it live, recorded, and explored his artistry for music with a goal to popularize Ilonggo-made music. He developed an aspiration to let the whole Ilonggo community hear his musical artistry that came in with crisp, fresh, and ear-friendly tunes. Originally inspired by American and western hiphop music, Bronze P. started to have the initiative to record his songs. And of course, he willingly sent out a message that redefined hiphop/rap music for Ilonggos. Patiently, he worked independently and waited for the right moment that his talent will be noticed.

When he was 16, he recorded with a group of friends the first local jingle of the massively popular Ilonggo food chain- Mang Inasal. Their song caught a lot of attention and put their group in the local limelight for a while. The opportunity gave them a chance to be invited for gigs, events, and even became front acts for Manila-based reggae group Brownman Revival for their Iloilo City mini-concert. Then for some undefined reasons, their group took a rest for while and they decide to focus on their personal lives. As for Bronze P., he focused his attention in his university life and hoping to earn a college degree.

But a calling is a calling. There’s no getting away with what you really want to do in life and sometimes, for a simple twist of fate, passion really gets in the way. Bronze P. continued to work for original materials of his music. He even released two independent albums full of rap and hiphop music which he personally sold to his friends. He never gave up his passion and believed that at the end of the day, his artistic expression counts most in life. His artistry evolved and he learned to experiment with more original materials for future releases.

Just recently, he released his newest single, a rap-pop-hiphop song called “My Friendster Girl” in local radio stations that started at MOR 91.1 and Star FM in Iloilo City. Bronze P. is somewhat like a techie music artist who loves to talk about the internet, technology, and everything that seems to be popular among youth these days mostly with his songs. He incorporates techno, electro and space-age beats then gave it an Ilonggo flavour to suit the taste of local listeners. “My Friendster Girl” has these elements that turned out be crystal clear, mainstream, a bit romantic, and urban-pop. It talks about his fondness for a special girl he met in a social network site and the growing friendship between the two of them. The single is now available through phone request at MOR 91.1 and Star FM.

Sure, Bronze P. is gifted and multi-talented Ilonggo music artist but his potential seems to be shinning behind the back of local mainstream music. His goal for 2010 is to share his music to every Ilonggos who appreciate and can easily relate to good music—ear-friendly, relaxing, and refreshing. He promised to bring out the best of him, stand in the forefront, and lead the pack of bringing the interest of Ilonggos for original music again.

Who knows, the next time you hear his song, you might find yourself listening to it on your mp3 player, cellphone or your favourite FM station. Then tell yourself: you’re absolutely a fan of Ilonggo music and the music of Bronze P. will redefine the best of local hiphop/rap music.

Truly, passion brings in endless possibilities for as long you learn to believe in something worth fulfilling.