https://businessmirror.com.

ph/2019/03/03/ransom-collective-promising-indie-folk-pop-act/
http://youngstar.ph/learned-benben-clara-benin-fans-karpos-live-mix-2-2/
https://viva.com.ph/music/news/the-urgency-of-rapper-geo-ong

The goosebumps felt when hearing Rythym and Blues...

Still from today's music, Niña Girado, known as a Diamond Soul Siren, has a great impact among people
in the year 2000. Now, for stirring the recent days, here's Clara Benin, an underrated singer, who sang
from her heart. Literally, when you heard her voice, singing Tila, you could feel the birds chirping,
everything is in peace.
Clara Benin is a literal fairy with a mesmerizing voice.That bit during Riverchild where the ballet dancer
appeared while Clara sang and strummed her guitar? Ethereal. By the time Parallel Universe came up,
we had to dab away a couple of tears. Sidenote: her makeup was also poppin’ — that highlight was
visible from where we stood near the back of the room (Clara, if you’re reading this, please drop the
shade name).
Clara’s dad is Joey Benin, former member of Side A. You know, the one responsible for penning the
hit Forevermore. The elder Benin played guitar with his daughter during the first portion of her set.

Ransom Collective: The tremendous and promising existence of Indie band

Finding a new wave of OPM, here's The Ransom Collective, ready to serves as a motivational vibe that
could uplift anyone soul. The music they're producing aren't just for wanderer in life adventures, but
whatever your moods, surely, it'll make you calm. The band, comprised by six members, the guitarist,
Kian Ransom, the drummer, Redd Claudio, Jermaine Choa, for percussions, for bass, Leah Halili, for
keyboards, Lily Gonzales, and Muriel Gonzales, the violinist. They fuses unique percussive patterns,
acoustic guitar-driven leads and full vocal swells to create their distinctive sound.

The six are best known for their songs Tides, Settled, and Open Road—all of which have been released
under their self-titled EP released in November 2014, and their full-length album “Traces” that was
issued in May 2017, both having received high praises from music critics and peers.

In their short time as a group, The Ransom Collective has established a strong presence in the local
music scene, played in the country’s major music festivals and have represented the Philippines at the
Laneway Festival in Singapore, the Asean-India Music Festival and the Udaipur World Music Festival,
along with various local and international collaborations.

The contract signing was held on February 22 at the Universal Records office in Quezon City. Present
during the signing were the bandmembers, Universal Records’ Managing Director Kathleen Dy-Go,
Operations Manager Peter Chan and Business Manager Raymond Fabul.

Talking about the signing, Ransom said, “We’ve been in talks with Mustard for a few months now. It’s
been comfortable, and we were able to address all the things we’d like to do.”

The band lead added, “We feel like we’re going to bring our music to a new level with the teamwork and
influence that Mustard can have. The band and I are really excited for this next chapter, and we’re really
looking forward to putting new music out really soon.”

Watch out for their debut track under the label, along with more content from the band this year.

Mustard Music, on the other hand, is the latest venture from Universal Records Philippines. The sublabel
aims to promote the best acts in the OPM industry, while also becoming an environment that fosters
and nourishes up-and-coming homegrown talent in the country. The label focuses on building-up the
individuality, creative freedom and musicality of each artist.

The exception of rapper's today: found in Geo Ong

When we hear Rhythm and Poetry opm music, we bow to one and only, Aristotle Pollisco, known as
Gloc-9. His trailblazer songs made him unique, the contents he made were purely about the reality
we're facing and fighting as a Filipino. The thing, which we must proud of. Now, here's one seed that
blooms, Geo Ong. His videos on YouTube rack up the views by the millions because there’s substance to
it. Mainly, his ‘content’ is a heavy dose of urgency that is apparent in his themes.

The rapper is a real as it gets and that’s the way he wants it. Oh, and his videos are entertaining for sure.
This include his music video for his most recent single entitled “Pekeng Kaibigan” that went trending on
YouTube shortly after its release. It reached a million views in just 2 days and peaked to the #1 spot for 3
consecutive days.

What makes his songs trend is probably how his hard-hitting verses cut straight to the point. The
smooth rhythmic flow of his delivery run alongside his visceral lyrics that are unafraid to comment on
current issues in society. Prime examples include previous songs “Breadwinner” about the struggles of a
son providing for his family and “Parokyana,” about sex, social media, and gold diggers.

He does it again with his latest release “Pekeng Kaibigan.” Meanwhile, his latest single “Pekeng
Kaibigan,” lives up to the Geo Ong’s no-holds-barred brand of rap as he disses fake friends. “May
kaibigang mabait lang kapag merong kailangan pag wala,/ hindi niya kilala ang iyong pangalan / Andiyan
sila pag meron silang napapala pag wala, parang sila biglang nawawala.”

The “Pekeng Kaibigan” music video mixes dance moves, steamy bed scenes and some old-school rap
gangsta family-type depiction. A tested formula for a rap video for sure, but Geo Ong makes it look easy.
Asked if this is the secret to his success, the rapper said, “’yung mga music videos ko ay isang paraan
lang ng pagkwento ng istorya ko. Pero gusto kong isipin na yung mensahe ko yung tumatatak sa mga
nanuod at nakikinig sa kin. Dapat totoo lang ako lagi sa sarili ko."