A rapper named Because

The word because needs an object. It means due to or by way of and an object always follows a preposition. That is why, we all know how kids would go into “because…” And wait for the answer when they want something explained further.  But this kid calls himself just plain Because. Not because he wants to but because it just happened. 

You see his real name is Bernard Jose Castillano and his friends have taken to calling him BCas which later evolved into Because. So when he decided to go full time into the music business as a rapper, he had no choice but to call himself, what else but, Because.

Because is only 17 years old and has been rapping since grade school. He belongs to the new school of relaxed, unhurried rappers and has this deep, full speaking voice to go with the style. Think Drake or Kendrick Lamar compared to a bursting Eminem. They are in reality contemporary poets just quietly musing to themselves, or who are in a soft, intimate conversation with the listener. Talking about mundane, common stuff or about anything that enters their minds. 

And although he is young and still lugging baby fat, Because confidently spews forth what comes across as words of wisdom regarding relationships. I wonder how he learned about those things. And judging from the millions of hits and streams that his music gets, he has a lot of followers who like what he is saying. Check out his rap in Marlboro Black.     

Better yet, check out his first album release titled Heartbreak SZN. Those three letters stand for Season. You know how hip-hop stars are.  They have their own kind of language usage. So what is actually just Heartbreak Season has been turned into Heartbreak SZN.

Because’s SZN is brimming with confessions and recriminations or just nonsense. OTW which goes “papunta na/ papunta na” belongs to the latter. But then, there is also Sandali, which would you believe is about stolen romantic moments. “…kahit na mali…gusto kitang katabi ngayong gabi…kama’y ko’y nilibot ang iyong katawan…gawin natin lagi nakaw na sandali…” Whew! Kids these days.

Heartbreak SZN also includes Gilid featuring fellow rapper Kris Delano; Sabihin Mo Na, where Nino FTD Andrade guests; Isa Pa with Gelo Manarpiis; and Puyat has Nicole Anjela. Not in the line-up but a track worth checking out is Unan, a chill collab with John Roa.

And now here is last week’s Top 40 hit songs listing according to the tabulation collated by the Philippine Music Charts from other hit charts. Because has been a consistent presence in it these past weeks.

Buwan by Juan Karlos; Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande; Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw by December Avenue ft. Moira de la Torre; Kathang Isip by Ben&Ben; Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-ibig also by December Avenue; Girls Like You by Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B.; Taki Taki by DJ SNAKE ft. Ozuna, Selena Gomez & Cardi B; Love Someone by Lukas Graham; 2002 by Anne-Marie; Malibu Nights by LANY.

Maybe The Night by Ben&Ben; Happier by marshmello & Bastille; You Are The Reason by Calum Scott; Kiss And Make Up by Dua Lipa & BLACKPINK; POP/STARS by (G)I-DLE & K/DA, Madison Beer; Sana by I Belong To The Zoo; SOLO by JENNIE; Mundo by Ace of Spades; YES or YES by TWICE; Beautiful by Bazzi ft. Camila Cabello.

Thick And Thin by LANY; Eastside by Benny Blanco, Halsey & Khalid; Kahit Ayaw Mo Na by This Band; Bulong by another one by December Avenue; Baam by MOMOLAND; Waste It On Me by Steve Aoki ft. BTS; Woman Like Me by Little Mix ft. Nicki Minaj; breathin again by Ariana Grande; IDGAF by Dua Lipa; Sunflower by Post Malone & Swae Lee.

Bohemian Rhapsody, a new version for the movie of the same title by Queen; Perfect by Ed Sheeran; Kahit Di Mo Alam by December Avenue again; Bboom Bhoom by MOMOLAND; 8 Letters by Why Don’t We; Tagpuan by Moira dela Torre; Thru These Tears by LANY; I Don’t Wanna Love You Anymore also by LANY; Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper from the soundtrack of A Star is Born; and God Is A Woman also by Ariana Grande.