On January 31, rap artist Smugglaz discussed his views on the recent issues influencer-rapper Toni Fowler faced.
At the media event for the Blvck Summer Festival, which LionhearTV covered, Smugglaz remarked that he tries to avoid voicing his opinion on issues other artists face.
“Actually, hindi ko rin siya masyadong pinansin noon eh. Nakita ko lang siya katulad din naman noong ibang mga issue na nauuso sa internet, kahit hindi sa mga hiphop, hindi naman ako basta-basta sumasawsaw or nagbibigay ng mga opinion.”
He noted that he wouldn’t have done what Fowler did with her music video, which prompted a cybercrime complaint from the Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas.
“Pero, doon sa ginawa ni Toni Fowler, para sa akin, kung ako ‘yung tatanungin, kung ako ‘yung gagawa noon, hindi ko ‘yun gagawin. Kung ako si Toni Fowler, pero hindi ako si Toni Fowler eh, so wala akong magagawa, siya si Toni Fowler eh. Ako si Smugglaz, eh.
“Hindi ko pinakikielaman ‘yung shit ng iba. Basta ako focus lang ako sa sarili ko, sa pamilya ko, sa career ko, sa kung ano man ang ginagalawan ko. Hindi ko na nire-rentahan ‘yung utak ko ng iba pang mga bagay na hindi sa akin makakatulong.”
He added that people can express themselves through art.
“Siguro oo, dahil hindi naman ako babae. ‘Gusto ko Tequila.’ Siguro, pwede akong tumawid sa ganon sa paraan ko na Smugglaz. Hindi ko rin naman sinasarado yung sarili ko, music ‘yan eh. Expressing art nila ‘yan, so kung ‘yan ang paraan nila para ma-express ‘yung sarili nila, why not? Pero, hindi mo rin mape-please ang lahat.”
He acknowledged that people may hold Fowler to a different standard since she’s a woman in a conservative country like the Philippines.
“Posibleng may malaking porsyento na ganon ‘yan dahil sa bansa natin. Dahil sa Pilipinas eh, alam naman nating lahat na conservative tayo. Papunta pa lang ‘yung era ng mga music natin, medyo natatanggap na.”
As for their upcoming music festival, BLVCK Entertainment, in cooperation with Rekta Sa Kayle, launches the Blvck Summer Festival this April 13, 2024, from 9 AM at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.
The festival features performances from over 30 artists, including Rico Blanco, Sandwich, Franco, December Avenue, Al James, Flow G, Omar Baliw, Allison Shore, Nobita, Kiyo, Gins and Melodies, Crazy as Pinoy, Smugglaz, Carm, 6ENSE, Blvck Flowers, Blvck Purple, O-Side Mafia, and more surprise performers.
Attendees can purchase the tickets via RektaSaKalye.com or the official Shopee and Lazada pages of Rekta Sa Kalye and on SM Tickets soon.
Tickets prices range from P3,500 (VIP), P2,200 (Gold), and P1,000 (General Admission) with promo rate announcements on Blvck Entertainment and Rekta Sa Kalye social media pages – P2,850 (VIP), P1,700 (Gold), P700 (General Admission).
