A night of hip-hop and classic music

MANILA, Philippines - The Smart Araneta Coliseum was filled that night with thousands of fans who were treated to the country’s elite and brightest hip-hop stars, together with a 64-piece Manila Symphony Orchestra playing the background music.

Araneta Dreams, a one-day hip-hop event last April 9, was Mike Swift’s dream. It was an indie event with no major sponsors, supported by fans, friends and believers of the movement Swift organized known as Konektado World. Swift dreamed to one day have a hip-hop concert at the Araneta Coliseum, a legendary place where Thriller in Manila was born. That night, his dream came true, and a lot more.

The night’s much-awaited battle was the Sunugan of the best of the Philippines Batas and Loonie, against two powerhouse rap battle emcees from the US — Swave Sevah and Dizaster. Loonie, the most viewed battle rapper in the world, went toe-to-toe with arguably the world’s best Dizaster. The masters of hip-hop displayed the highest skills and wit in battle. Unlike Battle Royale, the winners will be judged by Netizens from videos of the face-offs uploaded on the Net.

Battle Royale was a freestyle rap battle participated in by 24 emcees and controlled by DJ Buddha. The competitors had two rounds to rip each other out in freestyle rap straight from the brain. Fans were entertained especially as Apekz and Pistolero contended for the championship. Pistolero defeated Gerald Bato, the youngest competitor at 12 years, and Badang in the semi-finals, while Apekz defeated Dello and Righteous One. The final battle pitted Apekz against Pistolero, and Apekz emerged the victor, for the prize money of P300,000.

For the first time anywhere in the world, the finals music was provided by the Manila Symphony Orchestra, while the opening featured a skillful beat boxer named Ad Beats, delivering thumping sounds with his mouth with the orchestra playing the Mission Impossible theme. Francis M’s former dancers, the Fresh Boys displayed acrobatic moves.

Urban Flow sang Miss Pakipot and Salawahan, as they were united for the first time since 1998 with the original performer, Ogie Alcasid. Jhon hit the stage with girls dressed as bunnies as he sang Playboy Bunny, followed by Pinoy hip-hop elite group BNK (Mista Blaze n Sly Kane) featuring Pow Chavez who were dressed in all white suits made by famous designer Leonard Co as they sang the most inspirational OPM hip-hop song, Fly Away. Abra and the Lyrically Deranged Poets wowed the crowd and Juan Thugs from the group 187 Mobstaz performed Momay. Ron Henley and Quest had electrifying sets while Mike Kosa and Ayeeman sang the hit Mahal Kong Kultura to the fans’ delight.

Gloc-9 rocked Araneta while Young JV and Jay-R offered mainstream hits amidst the ladies’ screaming. Q-York entertained the crowd with the hit song Mainit. Greyhoundz graced the podium with their heart-stopping songs. Legend Freddie Aguilar and children Jonan and Jeriko gave the fans a treat of classic rock fused with rap.

International hip-hop acts from around the globe collaborated in one song titled Tru Mc, with Xienhow from the Bay Area, Pinoy star Nump Trump also from the Bay Area, Ruby Ibarra from the US, Little Jase from Melbourne, and local hip-hop stars Abaddon of 187 Mobstaz, Curse One and Aero from Bacolod.

Celebrities seen at the concert were Viva Hotbabe JC Parker, KC Montero, Ogie Alcasid and two-time PBA MVP Willie Miller.

Swift did not only fulfill his dream that night, he also surprised his longtime girlfriend Naz with a wedding proposal that garnered screams and cheers from the audience.

The night was capped off with Francis M’s Kaleidoscope World, a tribute to every hip-hop and rock artist.