Because grows up

I remember Because from two years ago. A chubby kid who had just turned 17, he was an aspiring hip-hop star. A former child actor, he pretty much led a sheltered life, and he was looking forward to getting his drivers’ license and being able to go around in his own car by himself.

And he was sure that the rapping would fulfill that dream. As a grade school kid, he could not stop making rhymes. And he did so everywhere, the playground during recess, in classrooms when teachers were late. Andrew E and Francis M were his idols. He was going to be a hip-hop star.

Because became very good at creating rap tunes that he got his first hit tune Marboro Black when he was only 16 years old. That one has over 34 million views to date. A year later, he was ready for the big time with his first album. He had tracks like Sandali, Silid, Unan, Isa Pa, Sabihin Mo Na, Gilid, OTW, Puyat and Heartbreak SZN that sound so grown up.

These came to mind when I saw the videos for his latest releases. He has two, ZOOM and DECEMBER. Because has, indeed, grown up. No, ZOOM is not about the app that is helping keep businesses afloat during these pandemic times. It is a love song where ZOOM is about getting closer just like getting closer to a camera image. Neither is DECEMBER about Christmas. They are sad, soulful musings done in a soft baritone of a lost soul unable to find his life’s purpose.

Both ZOOM and DECEMBER have the potential to become big hits. Because is a very competent artist. He is maturing nicely and his producer NEXXFRIDAY has combined his discontented rants with just the right relaxing beats into sleek packages. Because may be angry but he is a good kid, who is not about to stop being nice.

But those things are only to be expected from a consistent hitmaker like Because. What really made my day were the videos for ZOOM and DECEMBER that he directed himself. Watch those and you will see Because, older now, lugging a lot of hip-hop bling that seems like carpentry hardware and he is driving a car through neon lighted streets. Echoes of The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights.

And he is singing, “Ayoko munang umuwi pakisabi samin/ I just wanna get away from my fucking problems/ want my body fucked up till the sun is shining...”

He now has the license and the car. Because is growing up and he is living the hip-hop life.

Checked out the latest Spotify hit list and there it was, the enviable proof that South Korea has indeed completed its takeover of the global pop charts. They have become so good at it they can now make mincemeat out of the Brits and the Americans when it comes to creating big selling songs.

That puts Pinoy pop way, way below the ladder. But there is always hope for better times. Truth to tell, we are having one right now with a lot of new artists giving the foreigners formidable competition. Despite the dire circumstances that the entertainment scene is suffering through because of the coronavirus, sales of recorded music online is at an all-time high.

People are streaming more music than they ever did before.

Here now are the Top 30 tunes people are listening to a lot on Spotify: BTS, Dynamite; BLACKPINK with Selena Gomes, Ice Cream; Maximillian, Beautiful Scars; Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, WAP; Emman, Teka Lang; BLACKPINK, How You Like That; Jawsh 685, Savage Love (Laxed, Siren Beat); Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber, Stuck with U, Music Hero, KLWKN; Juan Caoile, Marikit.

Lewis Capaldi, Before You Go; Magnus Haven, Imahe; Miley Cyrus, When I Look at You; Jr. Crown, Malayo Ka Man; Lil Vinceyy, Chinita Girl; Peach Tree Rascals, Mariposa; Bandang Lapis, Kabilang Buhay; Conan Grey, Heather; Justin Bieber featuring Quavo, Intentions; LANY, If This is the Last Time.

Chris Brown, Go Crazy; Harry Styles, Watermelon Sugar; Ben&Ben, Kathang Isip; Ben&Ben, Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay; Lewis Capaldi, Someone You Loved; King Badger, Miloves (OTW Sayo); Flow G, Araw-Araw Love; Ben&Ben, Maybe The Night; Arthur Nery, Higa; and Matthaias, Pangga.