Def Jam, one of hip-hop’s most revered record labels in the world, is set to arrive on Philippine shores with the official launch of its massive Rekognize project featuring its all-star hip-hop roster on April 16, 2021.
Rekognize is a historic hip-hop celebration that gathers more than 120+ artists and 14 music producers from the old and new schools of hip-hop for an all-star four-EP series that will roll out this year. The Rekognize project will not only introduce Def Jam Philippines’ young, stellar roster to Pinoy hip-hop fans but also to shine the spotlight on the rich and diverse Filipino hip-hop and R&B movements on the global stage. “I truly believe that if you have that love for the culture, it can work and I really feel it in my gut, hoping that the same heart, passion, and energy will be shared. This won’t be Def Jam Philippines’ success alone but also the whole Pinoy hip-hop and R&B communities, too,” shares Allan Mitchell “Daddy A” Silonga, A&R Senior Manager of Def Jam Philippines.
Uniting various members of the Filipino hip-hop community, Rekognize brings not just past and current generations of Pinoy emcees in a sonically monumental event but also through compelling visual narratives. Kicking off Rekognize is the star-studded Nite N’ Day EP, which brings together some of the most exciting names in hip-hop and R&B in the country. Nite N’ Day features lead singles “Beautiful Day” by Mike Swift, D-Coy, Alisson Shore, kiyo, and Mark Beats, which dropped earlier this year and followed by “Atin Ang Gabi” by Al James, Legit Misfitz, K24/7, and Calvin De Leon.
Listeners are in for a treat with three more tracks in the EP,” H247”, “Solitaryo,” and “Pusuan Mo,” which showcases the powerhouse talent of Def Jam Philippines’ roster of emerging hip-hop and R&B artists. The initial roster is made up of rising artists from all over the country, most of whom are at the beginning of their careers. “I chose to look for raw talents, develop and mold them and have that chemistry and bond with each other until they ‘make it’ and have that superstar status and create monster hits. We look for artists that are creatively genuine, amazingly talented, world-class and have a great character and good working attitude, humble but confident, and can have a long-lasting and fruitful relationship together with our team,” Daddy A explains.
