Original interview by DOUGBROCK
Retranslated to English for the general public by Sinking Fish
Original interview upload: January 29, 2023
Quick Links:
- Part 1: The Early Years
- Part 2: Taking the Leap
- Part 3: Rain-Soaked Dreams
- Part 4: Going Up with the Boys
- Part 5: The Rocksta Mentality
- Part 6: Tasting Success with SB19
- Part 7: Future-Proofing and Taking Risks
- Part 8: Keeping an Open Mind
- Part 9: Closing Thoughts
DOUGBROCK Radio Episode #89 Part 8 – Keeping an Open Mind
Dougbrock: Okay, Felip, so in 2023, you’re really pushing your personal brand, I can see that. I can also feel it, especially as someone who’s part of the local hip-hop scene as an event organizer and manager. What can we expect from Felip as a hip-hop persona?
Because, of course, in the local scene, we have what we call “Pinoy hip-hop,” right? But it’s heavily influenced by Western hip-hop now. Indonesian hip-hop is gaining strength, as is Japanese hip-hop. Hip-hop is strong worldwide. But what’s the new flavor that Felip will bring to this scene?
Felip: Damn, hey, this is really tough. I think it’s my uniqueness. Like I said, it’s hard to grasp what I’m bringing to the table. Because for me, if you’re unique, or if people think you’re weird- not that it’s a bad thing, okay?
Dougbrock: Mhm, not normal. It’s unique.
Felip: If you’re not normal, you really stand out. Like you’re not the same as everybody else, yeah. It’s like a thing in other places. That if you’re weird to them, then of course you’ll stand out. Really different from the rest. Not just a normal person. You’ll stand out.
So I think since I’m an imaginative kind of person and I’m scatterbrained, I just patch it up like a collage, throw it together. So for sure it will be unique… and with the help of people around me. I have pros who are with me, like who I’m with today, the kind of people who are actually really good at what they do. It’s all about the people who you’re with who can help you. That’s big. Because you can’t do it on your own.
Dougbrock: So this is the new thing you can push, the new thing you can show the scene.
Felip: Yes, it’s [about] being unique. For now. Since music is- like you said, hip-hop has gotten so big in general. So I’m not sure, man. Because it’s hard to find your own style. It’s hard to find your own signature. Maybe I’ll find it. I’m still not sure if I-
Dougbrock: You’re still exploring.
Felip: Yes, I’m definitely still exploring. When I find my own sound, little by little… We’ll see.
Dougbrock: At least you’re in the process, you acknowledge it, and you’re doing your best on every part of it.
Felip: Because music is really just about influencing each other.
Dougbrock: I respect that, man. Okay, talking about influence, what are some of Felip’s influences in the international scene? Maybe 3?
Felip: Yeah yeah sure. Probably Post Malone, Travis Scott, and… Lil Uzi Vert.
Dougbrock: Local? Who do you notice locally? Artists that you listen to lately?
Felip: Al James, who else… of course, popular ones now like Flow G. There are songs I listen to, but don’t know who the artist is. So, like Skusta Clee. Those are who I listen to locally.
Dougbrock: Do you listen to foreign [artists] more?
Felip: Yes. I listen to foreign [artists] more. Like Offset, Quavo, Migos. Take Off as well, oh, RIP.
Dougbrock: Yes, rest in peace to Take Off. But, is that true, Felip? You’re really like *brrt, brrt* first thing in the morning? That’s your music.
Felip: Oh yeah, because it really sets my mood. Like, “Woah! I feel good! I’m a Rocksta today!” So yeah. Like *brrt, brrt* and [inaudible].
Dougbrock: How important is it that you have that vibe in the morning right away?
Felip: Music is like- it becomes [a part of my] soul. I can’t explain. I merge into the music. Whatever the vibe of the music is, it merges with me. It might sound weird to say, but it’s like I-
Dougbrock: You absorb it.
Felip: I absorb it. Like that. Whatever vibe the music gives me, that’s how I’ll be through the whole day.
Dougbrock: Nice. So you set up your mood intentionally, by choosing music.
Felip: Yes. When I go out the door, I start the music.
Dougbrock: One question: do you meditate?
Felip: Meditate? No.
Dougbrock: But you pray?
Felip: Yep.
Dougbrock: You pray a lot?
Felip: Yes. Oh, well, not a lot because with our work, it’s hard.
Dougbrock: But you pray.
Felip: I pray.
Dougbrock: That’s nice.
Felip: My dad always reminds me to pray.
Dougbrock: Since he’s a pastor.
Felip: I’m really rowdy. I’m a stubborn kid. So he reminds me, “Don’t forget to pray,” this and that. So yeah.
Dougbrock: That’s very nice.
Felip: At least my dad and mom are there. Always reminding me.
Dougbrock: Okay. Felip, here. Only a few questions left, and this conversation will be over. I had so many curiosities answered. And thank you for being honest.
Felip: Thank you.
Dougbrock: Bro, where do you think OPM is heading overall in the next couple of years? All OPM: rock, pop, hip-hop, PPOP… everything.
Felip: You know, I’m scared of answering questions like this. Should I answer it honestly?
Dougbrock: Yeah! What do you think? Where is it going? Because it’s so strong right now! Two years from now, where will it be?
Felip: To be honest, I’m not sure. In my opinion, there’s no problem with OPM. Yeah, definitely no problem with OPM. There are a lot of super talented artists who, like I said earlier, aren’t given a spotlight. Probably… it needs- It’s hard! It’s like I’m scared to say it! In my opinion-
Dougbrock: It’ll get even bigger? Even stronger?
Felip: No, more like… Nevermind. Okay okay, in my opinion, people need to become more open-minded. They need to learn to accept a new sound.
Dougbrock: Yes that’s true. It would still be OPM, right?
Felip: It’s because we have a standard. We have a mentality that this is it. Only this, is our sound, this is Pinoy. No, it’s not like that, man. Music evolves. It can’t just stay like this forever, because if it does, you’ll get left behind.
Dougbrock: Mhm, all the other countries have already moved forward.
Felip: They’re over there, so far away. And we’re still here. If you really want to grow, you have to flow with it, right? If you’re in a river, you ride the current, right? It’s like that.
That’s just my personal opinion, respectfully. If other people don’t agree, I’m sorry, but that’s what I think.
Dougbrock: That we need to be open-minded.
Felip: Yes, we need to be open-minded to other sounds, and yeah, give chances to the other artists who usually aren’t given a spotlight. Just in my opinion. Because I realized that there really are so many amazing artists.
Especially earlier, that’s what I realized. I met so many [great artists] “Woah, amazing! There are actually artists like this here?” So good. So good at making melodies that get stuck in my head.
Dougbrock: And you’ve just heard of them there!
Felip: Yes, I was seriously so amazed.
Dougbrock: And meeting international standards, right? That’s really nice.
Felip: And then they’re not that [known]- I mean, I’ve never heard of them anywhere, ever since.
Dougbrock: So they need to be given more chances, of course.
Felip: Yes, give them a chance.
Dougbrock: But that’s so cool! It’s so nice to hear from you, who’s also an artist, say, “Give them a chance, give them this and that.”
Felip: That’s all there is to it. Let’s give them a chance, yes. And in my opinion… it also has to do with the entertainment [industry] probably. Because there, it’s also just whoever is already famous. Over and over, the same people. They should probably try to venture out too, explore.
Dougbrock: Discover more. I think also with so many artists-
Felip: Give some of the others a chance.
Dougbrock: That’s why we need more platforms, so when- Even as simple as your virality! [Someone] went on Twitter.
Shout out to the person who posted that video, which was already on the internet. But if they didn’t put it that way on Twitter, “Oh! So we actually have this kind of boy group here.” Then-
Felip: I was so amazed earlier when I saw them, “Wow these guys are so good.” So I think more stage exposure for them.
Dougbrock: Is Felip open to working with new artists?
Felip: Oh man, I just want to make good music. That’s all I want, whoever it is, even if you’re not famous.
Dougbrock: Good music is good music.
Felip: That’s all I want. As long as I enjoy [it].
Dougbrock: That’s good because this is how you also explore. Wow. So more opportunities also for collaboration… Wow! Very good!
Felip: Whoever it is, I’m okay with it.
Dougbrock: Now you guys know! Now you guys know! @felipsuperior, guys! Message him, DM him, send a sample right away!
Felip: Yeah, okay, let’s go!
Dougbrock: Because this is it. What’s amazing, bro, are the artists now. They’re all special. There are really special ones, “Where did you come from? I have the internet, why didn’t I see you?” You know? There’s always a wow moment, bro. So if you ask me, your answer was really good.
In the future for OPM, we just need to be open-minded. I saw that you were worried because the world is shifting so fast, and OPM is still over here, right? No hate, no disrespect, I love OPM, I love the music.
Felip: Sorry, that’s just what was on my mind. I’m sorry.
Dougbrock: No, it’s just… we’re just having a discussion. This is also for the record producers, music producers, to think… “Hmm, that’s true, huh?”
Felip: It’s because we put a standard on ourselves, that, “This is all we can do, and OPM should only be this!”
Dougbrock: No, don’t!
Felip: So it doesn’t evolve.
Dougbrock: Let’s not gatekeep.
Felip: Yeah, that’s the right word!
Dougbrock: Let’s not gatekeep because there will always be people who will make classic OPM music, but let’s also support others. Because even on the biggest stage- I’ll share this, just my observation.
Even on the biggest stage in the biggest countries, who offer the biggest entertainment with the best music videos, hundreds of millions of views, biggest productions—they become open-minded in a way that, yes, we’re going to use our own artists, our own kind, but we’re going to borrow talent from western people to create music videos, graphics, whatever. So their craft still evolves. So, [a] very good example is you guys! In PPOP, there are Korean trainers, there are Korean investors because they know.
Felip: That we’re talented.
Dougbrock: Yes, exactly! They’re taking risks for us. Him, he’s open-minded even though he’s from the province, “They said there’s training, they’re making a group, etc.”
So if everyone is open-minded to evolution, to new things… as long as you’re doing what’s right, not cheating, not doing anything wrong, not stepping on others… just do it, be open-minded, try to explore and be better everyday. Then you’ll contribute to the rise of the scene. And that’s the beauty of being an artist, right? You can also choose what to do.
As an artist, always choose to do the right thing. Because your music will stay. Once you publish it, it will always be there. Even if you delete it, someone downloaded it. That could happen. And it will put a mark on the universe. What is the art you released? How did you communicate it to people? Did it help anyone? Did it inspire anyone?
Because at the end of the day, that’s what will- I just realized that you guys have so much support because that’s your language, your group’s craft, music, art, plus dance moves—that’s what your audience sees. That’s what your own fans see in you.
Like, “Oh yeah, huh? If you invest in your craft, endure everything. Train, get rained on, sleep without a roof, until you get to your winning moments. All of that is a culmination of all your hardships, sacrifices, and all the times when you could’ve rested, but you chose to work. That’s why you deserve these kinds of things. That’s really inspiring. Because it makes one realize that it’s possible. Someone from Zamboanga, with only 1500 PHP!
Man, this episode is really inspiring because I’ve never- you know, I’m sorry, let me also say this: I thought you guys were simply invited to Manila, already talented- But knowing you’re from there, and went through it all… Wow. Respect to the process, plus each battle. There were battles and you won each one! It’s like you were the champion. They were 4, waiting for 1 more, then you came. That’s the culmination of all your efforts.
Felip: And the level of satisfaction it gives me is so high. It’s one of my favorite memories that I will never ever forget.
Dougbrock: Fulfilling, right?
Felip: Yes, so much. Because, like you said, all your hard work came to fruition. You gave your all, risked it all. Then it really paid off because you believe in yourself.