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Gloc-9 still thinks of himself as ‘baguhan sa industriya’

A newbie after all these years. (Contributed photo)

Gloc-9 is on a roll.

First, he wins big at the 6th PMPC Star Awards for Music last September 14 for the Album of the Year, Rap Album of the Year and Rap Artist of the Year. He tied with Vice Ganda for bagging 3 trophies.

Just a week earlier, he wrapped up shooting “Biyahe ng Pangarap,” the working title of a live concert he will release on DVD in October.

Then, on November 21, he is mounting a major concert called ICON at the Araneta Coliseum with Rico Blanco and Yeng Constantino.

Oh, but not before taking a quick flight to Dubai on November 7 to gig with Kamikazee and Rivermaya at the Dubai Tennis Stadium.


‘Mananatiling contractual’

Yet, even if his career began in the mid-90s and he has released seven albums so far, the 36-year-old rapper will forever consider himself as “baguhan sa industriyang ito.”

He said as much during his acceptance speech at the Star Awards for Music: “Kumbaga sa empleyado, ako po ay mananatiling contractual at baguhan sa industriyang ito.”

He chooses to be humbled by accolades even if they’re dumped on him by the truckload.

The rapper and the maestro at the taping of Gloc-9's concert docu 'Biyahe ng Panagarap' out in October. (Contributed photo)
The rapper and the maestro at the taping of Gloc-9's concert docu 'Biyahe ng Panagarap' out in October. (Contributed photo)


glocnine, the band

“This year marks my 17th year in the industry and every award is always an excellent reminder to myself to be inspired and continue doing what I do not just for my family but also for all those who depend on me,” he told Yahoo.

Aris, as Gloc-9 is known to family and friends (real name: Aristotle Pollisco), reserves special mention to his band named glocnine who’s been his back-up musicians during live performances and on select tracks in studio recordings.

The band is composed of Jasper Grutas on drums, Archie Salvador and Billie Gary Reyes on guitars and Fernan Cruz on bass. They’re a crack team, providing solid support to Gloc-9’s anthemic songs.


Taping the docu

The band played a recent marathon live session intended for DVD release next month.

Before a specially chosen audience—whose individual names are set to appear on the end credits of the DVD—the rapper was joined by equally big guns: Chito Miranda, Rico Blanco, Ebe Dancel, Marc Abaya, Johnoy Danao, Denise Barbacena, Cooky Chua and maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

“It’s a docu of my beginnings with live concert footages of songs from ‘Mga Kwento ng Makata’ at ‘Liham at Lihim’ albums,” he explained, but “the release won’t be a greatest hits live package.”


At the docu shoot, with Cooky Chua (second from left) and Ryan Cayabyab (right) (Contributed photo)
At the docu shoot, with Cooky Chua (second from left) and Ryan Cayabyab (right) (Contributed photo)


‘Businessman,’ the new song

It includes a new song, though. Entitled “Businessman,” it features Vinci Montaner of Parokya ni Edgar, and will be released anytime this month.

Tuxqs Rutaquio was director for the concert portion and director J. Pacena II handled the documentary as well as the music video for the upcoming “Businessman” single. Robert Luzon was guest keyboardist.

“We’ve been a band for three years now and every time we get together is nothing but kantyawan and tawanan,” he said of shooting the documentary. “I expect more of the same harutan with the other bands when we’re in Dubai,” he added.


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