Rapper Omar Baliw shares life lessons from Gloc-9
MANILA, Philippines — Rapper Omar Baliw shared how Original Pilipino Music (OPM) rap icon Gloc-9 influenced his music and life in general.
In an interview with the media before the recent High Minds 12th anniversary concert, Philstar.com asked Omar what are the life lessons he received from Gloc-9.
“Dalawa kasi 'yung kay Gloc e. 'Yung aral sa kanta kalahati, 'yung aral na kalahati 'yung pagiging professional sa ginagawa. Sobrang sarap matuto sa mga kuya natin,” he said.
“Tignan mo si Gloc-9 matanda na siya pero gumagawa pa rin siya ng kanta. Ako ilang taon pa lang ako. 'Pag nakikita ko si Gloc na may bagong labas na kanta. Parang ‘Old school na 'to naglalabas pa rin ng bago e pano kaya 'tong mga bago dapat maglabas din tayo? Dapat sabayan natin ang init ng Gloc-9. Nahahatak niya ako ng sipag,” he added.
When asked who he wanted to collaborate with in the future, Omar said: “‘Yung collab kasi madali na lang e. Pero 'pag naka-vibe mo 'yung isang artist, susunod na 'yon e.”
“Halimbawa itong tao na' to sikat 'to pero 'di ko naman trip, walang hope. Pero 'pag pareho tayo ng linya, pareho tayo ng pag-iisip sobrang dali niyan,” he added.
Omar recently joined the Asintada roster of artists led by Chief Executive Officer Thea Gomez- Pollisco.
Omar was really a musician first and foremost and mentions Gloc-9, Loonie, Ron Henley, Syke, Jcole, Eminem, and Jay-Z as his main musical influence. But since pursuing this passion requires funding, he decided to tie this up with a clothing business "para pang tawid sa music."
In 2011, he released his first album with the title "High Minds Music." While the album did not do good commercially, it paved the way for his business to grow, hence, High Minds Clothing came to be. Since talent always finds a way, the success of his business eventually became an avenue to build his musical following.
Now, Omar is considered to be an influential hip-hop artist with his catchy songs such as "Araguy," "Kalmado," and "Natuto Lang." He has also recently collaborated with his idol Gloc-9 together with Pricetagg, CLR, and Shanti Dope.
Omar's inclusion to the Asintada family puts him in the midst of the Philippines' hip-hop royalties Gloc-9, Shanti Dope, Flow G, Skusta Clee, and the next-generation hip hop artists Guddhist, Hero and Ramdiss.
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