Carlos Agassi: Trapped in Rap

Once a rapper, always a rapper.

Or so claims Carlos Agassi who is "trapped in rap" sans regrets, sans apologies.

That’s why even if the band craze seems to be easing rap out of the scene, Carlos soldiers on. He has even put up his own company, Amir Carlos, Inc., which is producing his latest rap album, Amir (distributed by Star Records).

"Rap will never be gone," adds Carlos, "it’s here to stay."

Under his company, Carlos plans to produce more albums, not just his own but those of rap artists he plans to discover and build up.

"Dr. Dre discovered Eminem, and Eminem in turn discovered 50 Cent who produced an album for G-Unit. I want to do the same thing. I don’t mind kung break-even lang ako sa album ko; I am determined to pursue my goal."

Carlos (Amir, meaning Prince in Arab) says he has poured all his savings into the Amir album which carries six original compositions, all his own (in collaboration with Gloc 9).

"The first cut is Amir, a Tagalog rap which talks about me. Some people can’t believe nor accept the fact that I rap because they look at me basically as an actor and as a Hunk member. Ang hitsura ko daw hindi rapper. But I beg them to give me a chance, to lend me an ear, and see what kind of rap I’m doing.

"The second cut, Nagbago Ka, is a rap-rock fusion ala Linkin Park. It’s a love song about a girl who leaves her boyfriend.

"The third cut, Señorita, is a dance-rap which I did with Cherry Lou.

"The fourth cut, True, is a rap love song which I did with my little brother Aaron.

"The fifth cut, Alay Ko, is the song I’m dedicating to my fans.

"The sixth cut is called Señorita Remix, again with Cherry Lou, Aaron and an underground rapper."

Before we get wrapped up in rap, let’s uncover the other side of Carlos Agassi the Rapper.

WHO

l. Who is your role model(s)?

"Among local rap artists, siempre iba talaga sina Andrew E. and FrancisM. They kind of started everything for me. When I came back from Bahrain, I went into music because of Andrew E.’s Humanap Ka ng Panget and FrancisM’s Mga Kababayan Ko. Among foreign artists, sina Jay-Z and Eminem. At first, Jay-Z wasn’t taken seriously as a rapper, until people stopped and listened to his music. Now, he is one of the world’s best rappers. He’s into producing not only albums of his own and those of other artists but also a clothing line. That’s the career path I want to follow. Eminem also struggled before he was recognized; he got his break only after 10 years."

2. Who really discovered you for showbiz?

"It was talent scout Rapi Revilla who first saw me while I was eating at Friday’s. He put me in commercials and then brought me to Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) at (the ABS-CBN) Talent Center which launched me as member of one of the Star Circle batches."

3. Who is your favorite fantasy figure?

"Beyoncé, of course! Isn’t she sexy when she’s onstage?"

4. Who do you turn to when you have a problem?

"I pray. I turn to Him. He is like a dad and a bestfriend to me. He makes me feel calm and at ease. There’s also my mom (Rowena Damaso). Yes, I am a Mama’s Boy. And my stepfather (Fahad Al-Hanaki.)"

5. Who do you consider your true friend(s)?

"My brothers Aaron and Michael. Blood is really thicker than water. Even if you’re at fault, kakampihan ka pa rin nila."

WHAT

1. What is your greatest fear?

"I’m afraid of the dark...of a place where I am alone. I must confess for the first time that I cannot sleep alone, so I sleep with my brother Michael or Aaron or my mom. Takot ako mag-isa, takot ako sa dilim."

2. What’s one experience that you never forget?

"It happened during the Kapamilya Caravan in L.A. a few months ago. Aaron and I were doing a number together. He appeared onstage first; I was supposed to follow. As soon as Aaron came out, he was met by deafening applause. You would think that it was Piolo Pascual who came out onstage. I got goose pimples. Remember, Aaron is new in showbiz. At that time, he had just won as Most Promising Performer at the Aliw Awards. I was so proud of my brother that I forgot I was supposed to rap after him. I’ll never forget that experience."

3. What type of girl appeals to you?

"Basically, a simple girl. When I say simple, I mean yung ayos niya simpleng-simple, walang makeup, hindi mayabang, she can mix and start a conversation with anybody."

4. What would you have been if you were not in showbiz today?

"A basketball player. Now that I’m working out, I want naman to be a bodybuilder. As a kid, I was a sakristan so there was a time when I wanted to be a priest. I have several relatives who are priests. Monsignor Quizon (of Tagaytay) is my lolo."

5. What do you consider your best achievement so far?

"Having lasted this long in this business."

WHERE

1. Where do you get your inspiration?

"Well, aside from the Lord, I get it from the fans. If I perform even only in front of three people who are very warm and very appreciative, parang mas ginaganahan kang ibigay ang best mo."

2. Where would you rather be aside from the Philippines, and why?

"There’s no other place I want to be except the Philippines. I was born here and I spent part of my childhood in Bahrain but I came back because this is where I want to stay."

3. Where did you get your talent in rap?

"I’m a frustrated singer. You know, my brothers and I suffer from a congenital defect in our throats kaya madali kaming mapaos.We got it from our mom. May nakaharang sa vocal cords namin. But we love music, so...I listened to the likes of Andrew E., FrancisM, Eminem, LL Cool J and Will Smith and I got hooked on rap. I’m fascinated by rap’s poetic quality."

4. Where is your Achilles’ Heel?

"My weak part? Gullible? No, I’m not. A sucker for sob stories? No, I’m not. You know, I took up Psychology at La Salle so I can tell what kind of person you are a few minutes into our conversation. I’m a workaholic. I hate being idle. I want to be productive, to be always at my best."

5. Where do you go to unwind?

"I work out and that’s how I relieve myself of stress. I also play basketball. Or I watch movies with my brothers. Or I just stay in my room doing nothing, just eating or having a massage. My favorite hideaway is Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu. It’s my paradise."

WHEN

1. When are you at your best (performance level)?

"As soon as I wake up and I work out. It keeps me awake. First thing I do as soon as I wake up is pray to keep my soul awake. Basically, before I sleep, I already plan what to do the next day so that when I wake up I’m always on time and I know what to do."

2. When did you have your first kiss (and with whom)?

"It was in grade six. I was 12. With my classmate. I was shy and torpe then and it was she who initiated it."

3. When do you feel depressed?

"When I’m alone and I’m lonely; when I want something done pero hindi nagagawa."

4. When was the last time you cried?

"Just a while ago. I was thanking the Lord for all the blessings that I have – my family, my work, my health, everything!"

5. When are you happiest?

"When I’m surrounded by positive people. I hate being with negative people. Nakakahawa ‘yon, eh! Di ba one rotten apple can spoil one whole basketful of good apples?"

OW

H 1. How do you pray?

"I’m half-Iranian and half-Filipino but I’m Catholic. My dad is a Muslim while my brother Aaron is a Christian. How do I pray? Aside from hearing Mass every Sunday, I simply close my eyes and talk to Him. I always ask Him to take care of me and keep me away from harm."

2. How are you different from the four other Hunks (Jericho Rosales, Piolo Pascual, Bernard Palanca and Diether Ocampo)?

"We don’t only look different, we also have different passions and talents. Mine is rapping, basically. I host, I rap and I dance. Jericho is an intense actor and so is Piolo. BJ (Bernard) is good in bida-kontrabida roles and is also into music. Diet has his own forte, light-drama among them."

3. How are you related to Andre Agassi?

"What I know is that Andre’s dad is Iranian. He’s a naturalized American, from Iran. Am I related to him? I don’t know but how I wish I were!"

4. How do you maintain your body?

"Health is wealth. Eat right. Get enough sleep. Exercise. Try to be happy. Don’t let problems get you down."

5. How much of you is Iranian and how much is Filipino?

"One hundred percent of me is Filipino. I guess the only Iranian in me is the hair all over my body and my looks. Just joking!"

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