“Gusto ko lang na makakita sila ng kakaiba. Kasi parang astig na lahat eh. Hindi naman masama ’yon, gusto ko rin naman maging astig. Pero ’yon na always ’yong energy you hear from rap music these days. Everybody’s a tough guy.”
As a bold, cheeky commentary on music trends and conformity, rapper Waiian set his third album to be more unapologetically genuine.
“It’s okay to be you,” he says. “Gusto ko mapakita sa mga nakikinig sa’kin na you can be different. It’s okay. It’s okay to be unique. It’s really cool; you don’t have to fit the standards of what’s working these days.”
His latest nine-track album called “Backshots” features a relatively lighter vibe compared to the motivational rap he has become known for. This album looks like a rebellion of sorts—a declaration of who Waiian truly is at his core.
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In “Backshots,” the rapper translates his feelings, experiences, thoughts, and dreams—his truth—into each track.
“Itong paggawa ko ng ‘Backshots,’ sarili ko lang iniisip ko. Sa paggawa ko ng ‘Backshots,’ tangina niyo, bahala kayo kung ano mararamdaman niyo sa kanta ko,” he says. “Lahat ng ugali ko, as a person, kailangan ko ilabas eh.”
The album is a “full acceptance of self,” he describes. “Lahat ng mura, lahat ng honesty, lahat ng problema, lahat ng what makes me, me, boogsh—‘Backshots.’”
“Lahat naman ng album ko personal, but this one, mas core. Kung paano ako magsalita as a person, to my friends and family and peers, ganun ko in-express sa album,” Waiian shares.
One of the lead tracks of the album is “Si Lods na Bahala,” which the rapper says is also the last song he completed. The song gives listeners a peek into his lifestyle; how he prefers his “family man” world—that is, being surrounded by those he deems his closest, his family, and those who have already been his friends for years, instead of engaging in the grueling race to network.
“Naintindihan ko naman other people, they always have to link, build, and put themselves in rooms puno ng producers and other rappers and businessmen, blah blah. Ako, hindi,” he says.
“After ng gig, uwi na ako ng bahay with my friends. Pupunta ako ng gig with my friends, yes. Marami akong friends na rappers, nakilala ko na silang lahat and everything, but very grounded ako in the ‘family man’ world—simpleng tao-type shit. Pero hindi rin, kasi it’s lods. Famous chill guy.” He smiles. “Si lods.”
The line “I’mma do my thing till the end of time” encapsulates the very message of the “Backshots” album. It’s all about being true to yourself, taking pride in what makes you you—and flipping the middle finger to anyone who probably believes otherwise.
