In a male-dominated industry like hip-hop, we always hear what a man has to say, but this time, it’s time to hear a woman talk and share her own perspective when it comes to rap music. With their groundbreaking bars, talking about love, life, empowerment, sex, and matriarchy, these Filipina rappers are definitely on their way to take over the world.
So, if you’re looking for new rap artists to listen to, we present a few well-rounded Filipina femcees that you should add on your playlist right now!
Alex Bruce
Considered as the youngest female known rap artist in the industry, this 15-year-old rhyme bender is literally a talent to watch out for. Alex Bruce began her solo music career in 2018 under Sony Music Philippines with her debut single, “Mind as A Weapon”. In her recent self-titled EP, released in December 2021, Alex raps about everything in life, from friendships in “Fake Friends,” puppy love in “Yakap,” empowerment in “Dime Girls” to her experiences as a young female rap artist in a male-centric hip-hop scene in “Pull it Off” and “Go Crazy,” she got it covered.
Earlier this year, Yakap was nominated for the Best Rap/HipHop Category at the 34th Awit Awards. With her world-class flair and bars, Alex Bruce didn’t just win the hearts of local fans, but also the hearts of international artists, as well. ICYMI, K-Pop artist, Bang Chan of Stray Kids was caught jamming to Alex Bruce’s dreamy rap track, Yakap in a recent V-Live stream of “Chan’s Room”.
Sliz
If you’re an avid user of the TikTok app, there’s a big chance that you’ve heard Sliz’s voice somewhere on the internet. With her distinct natural childlike voice, as the netizens describe it, ‘almost chipmunk,’ sound, you’ll surely love Sliz’s double-entendre lyrics mixed with her laid-back rap flow.
Sliz or Mhicaela Marbella, is known for her hit single “Sige,” with over 7.3 million views now on YouTube and 2.8 million streams on Spotify. Sliz also writes songs about the various facets of love, as she associates love with euphoria in her song “Droga Ang Pag-ibig,” and “Pag-ibig at Kapayapaan”. With her latest song, “Rapmabu,” Sliz showcased her chill-flow sound as she also composes songs that mostly involve uncertainties in life, like “Pahinga” and “Wala sa Sarili”.
Peaceful Gemini
Nicole M. Leonar aka Peaceful Gemini is a Filipina rapper, known for her sharp rhythmic flow and introspective lyricism. She made her debut as Peaceful Gemini in 2018 with her EP, “Middle of NowHere” and debut single, “Mind, Body, and Soul”. As of now, Peaceful Gemini is signed to Sony Music Philippines in preparation for her new music era.
With her latest single, “Gising na Gising,” Peaceful Gemini stays true to the spoken-word sound by mixing Tagalog and English lyrics in between her rap lines. Gising na Gising is a song about Peaceful Gemini herself, sharing real talk about her daily trials and hardships that can be totally relatable to all.
DB Tha Girl
DB Tha Girl is one of the most captivating voices in today’s rap industry and known as one of the big names in the local hip-hop scene. She is a member of the hip-hop collective Baryo Berde. In 2020, DB Tha Girl released her debut EP “Aether” that consists of five nonstop hard-hitting tracks.
Talking about an all-around artist, aside from being a femcee, DB Tha Girl is also a freelance graphic artist. Recently, she released a collaboration song, “Mariposa,” together with a fellow Filipina rapper, Peaceful Gemini. Mariposa, is a breezy rap track which embraces the identity of being a Filipino woman, exploring themes of sisterhood, and female empowerment.
Dhyana Mitta
Dhyana Mitta is a Filipina rapper from Cebu and a well-known artist in the entire Bisdak music industry. With her distinct sensual voice, quick-spoken rap style and her provocative lyrics in Bisaya and English, Dhyana Mitta raps about women empowerment and unapologetic sex positivity. In her 2019 debut song, “Quatro Kantos,” Dhyana Mitta speaks about not tolerating disrespect in a relationship, while in her second single, “Wisdoms of a Bad B*tch,” this not only empowers women, but it also shows us that strong women should be a part of the norm.
In her interview with Rappler, the Cebuana rapper describes her music as, “raw, ratchet, and without a filter”. So, if you’re searching for an empowering, yet steamy anthem, you’ll absolutely fall in love with her latest single, “Real Good.”
SHNTI
SHNTI is one the emerging femcees in the Philippines. With her enthralling voice mixed with groovy hip-hop beats, SHNTI is exactly a gem in the industry. In 2021, SHNTI collaborated with musicians Muro Ami, Tao, and Calix for the song, “Regla” (Menstrual Blood) and wrote “Free” in support of the decriminalization of safe abortion in the country, for the 2021 advocacy music album “Pasya”.
Recently, SHNTI released her latest smooth chill-rap single, “F*ck It (I’m In Love Again),” a song that narrates the obsessive state that people get into when they’re newly in love.
Let’s support these Filipina femcees break gender barriers within the local hip-hop community and achieve their dreams, go check out their music now.
━━ Written By Karla Maginit ━━ Art By Metroscene Mag
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