How Gloc-9 & Shanti Dope write songs

Rapper-composers Gloc-9 and Shanti Dope admitted to being sensitive when it comes to writing songs on socially-relevant issues knowing how music fans could interpret them differently.

“Truth is, we also think how a song would affect the listeners. We do not just write (song) because there’s an issue like, for example, about COVID-19. Hindi kami gagawa ng kanta na ang title Wash Your Hands (laughs). But we are very sensitive on the songs we write,” said Gloc-9 after the presscon for Padi’s Barkada Bar Tour 2020.

He continued, “When I did Sirena, doon ako kabang-kaba kasi hindi naman ako bakla at ang pinaka natatakot ako, ayokong makainsulto nung mga nasa LGBT. I remember I was sweating so much on the day of its release because I wasn’t sure how people would react to it. I composed the song based on my own perspective.” Good thing, Sirena turned out to be one of Gloc-9’s OPM hit compositions.

Shanti (real name: Sean Patrick Ramos), on the other hand, said that he never ceases to write new songs but he makes sure to be careful with his choice of words.

“Gawa rin naman ako nang gawa nakatabi lang. I am waiting for the ‘right beat’ and right timing to release them. I’ve become careful with words. I try using simple terms for everyone to easily understand,” he said in the vernacular, adding “kasi hindi naman lahat maiintindihan. Iniisip ko din kung ano ang pagtanggap ng tao. Kumbaga, maintindihan nila na walang matatamaan lalo na kapagsocial topic… saka hangga’t maari kung tatalakayin ‘yung positive at negative side kasi ang daming tenga na sensitibo sa ganun.”

He also expressed happiness about working with his mentor Gloc-9. The two are both artists of Asintada along with Lirah, JKris and Sandiwa Band.

Shanti revealed that he and Gloc-9 are able to exchange creative ideas while at work. He considers him as a big brother. “I enjoy sharing ideas with him, kumbaga nagiging balance ‘yung nangyayari. Enjoy palagi kasi I’m like a newbie who always feels nervous knowing how solid the reception of people is whenever we perform. Dun pa lang sobrang thankful na ako. It’s an honor.”

Equally thankful is Gloc-9 who shared how Shanti Dope is able to fire up a show by hyping up a crowd with his performance. He said, “It’s always an advantage for me to have Shanti on stage before me because the energy of the crowd is already there at automatic na natra-transfer sa akin ‘pag ako na ang magpe-perform.”

Meanwhile, Gloc-9 and Shanti Dope lead the line-up of OPM performers in Padi’s Barkada Bar Tour 2020 in all branches of the newly-renovated favorite barkada hangout resto-bar. Lirah, JKris and Sandiwa Band are also scheduled to perform. The tour is happening until June.

Padi’s marketing head Paulo dela Cruz is confident that the artists, no doubt, will blend perfectly well with the resto-bar’s patrons given the kind of songs they perform onstage.

“We’re the favorite venue for birthdays and other parties and we are also the favorite barkada hangout place what with our live bands, plus food and drinks for the whole barkada,” Padi’s president and CEO Vince Padilla said.

(For the Barkada Bar Tour 2020 gigs schedule, visit www.padispoint.com)