Fill in the Blanktape

MANILA, Philippines - Recording artists are noticeably embracing the fun of collaborating that it has become quite normal to see a song credited to a particular act plus a guest. 

Thus, novelty rapper Blanktape has recently put out a full-length album of mostly collaborative efforts, with nine out of the 11 songs in the CD featuring a guest talent. It’s a mainstream-level package from GMA Records that strongly reflects the call of the times. 

“This is not just my album. This is the album of the entire barkada,” he says, referring to his artist-friends who helped him complete his latest album called Sana’y Mapansin.

In the album, the one-time controversial rapper performed the radio-piece Hayahay with his oft-collaborators Diorap and L-Sabor as he invited a couple of female voices to sing notable parts of opening numbers Ikaw Lang and Siomai, with Raia Quiroz and Nichole Enriquez of Pretty Young Thing doing the favor, respectively. 

Syato, a band wherein this writer is affiliated as bass player and songwriter, is actually one of the two band acts featured in the CD. The song that brought the group into the project is Tulay, which is about a romantic heartbreak experience of mine with valuable rap inclusions from Blanktape himself. 

The two of us met a few years back on the taping of a talk show episode that discussed controversial songs. He guested to shed light on his then notable ditty Banana, which at the time was being banned apparently due to its double meaning flavor. 

Prior to Tulay, we collaborated on a composition about temper called Bumbunan, credited to Syato featuring Blanktape; the music video of this recording can be seen via YouTube.

“Buo na ang tulay natin,” writes Blanktape in the album sleeve, addressed to Syato members.

After scoring the hit Tagalized version of Teach Me How To Dougie, Blanktape showcases his original songwriting skill to full-scale in the album. Other tracks are Isnabera, Pusa, Hanggang Kailan, El Deverasan, You’re The One, the title track, and a bonus song. 

He proudly reiterates, “First time ito na lahat ay originals kaya sana’y mapansin. Tinutukan ko talaga ang album na ito from start to finish.”

Probably not known to many, Blanktape, whose real name is Arlen Mandangan, has already done a number of jingles both for TV and radio. He is also behind the past hits like Chika Lang ‘Yon, Jejemon, Pechay, Palung-palo and My Angry Birds.