Hev Abi keeps his head on straight
In 2023, I was invited to the listening party for Hev Abi’s breakout album, “Kung Alam Mo Lang.” The sales pitch from one of the event organizers: “He’s going to be the next big thing.” And sure enough, as if a prophetic vision came true, the album spread like wildfire, boasted hundreds of millions of streams, and cemented the young rapper as the bona fide next-man-up.
Hev Abi’s 2023 album explored the thoughts and emotions he typically avoids talking about and confronting—presented in the melodic/aggressive hip-hop style he’s grown to be known for.
Talking to him unveiled the sharp dichotomy between Hev Abi the artist and the man behind the microphone: timid and unsure of himself, a far cry from the persona he takes on the stage. But if there’s one thing he was certain about, he did not care about what others thought about him and his music—it was always about expressing his truth the way he knew best.
Roughly three years later, and during yet another listening party, this time for his newest album, “Maduming Timog,” Hev Abi is virtually unrecognizable: confident, grown, and now one of the biggest Filipino hip-hop artists in the country—but one thing hasn’t changed. It’s still all about the music.
“Maduming Timog,” according to Hev Abi, is inspired by the ups and downs he’s experienced in his career. It is undeniably darker in tone compared to his previous full-length release and explores themes of substance abuse, guilt, and heartbreak. But for the 24-year-old rapper, “Maduming Timog” isn’t particularly about a singular theme or message it wants to convey; instead, its reflection on the listener expresses the type of album it is.
“Ikaw mismo ang makakasagot para sa sarili mo kung tungkol saan yung album,” Hev Abi explains. “Kapag naintindihan mo ‘yong mga sinasabi ko, ibig sabihin, gano’n din ‘yong mga nararanasan mo. Kung hindi mo naiintindihan, ibig sabihin lamang ay magkaiba tayo ng mga pinagdadaanan. Magkaiba tayo ng daan na tinatahak.”
During our interview back in 2023, you said that you don’t care how others see or remember you. Has that changed at all in these past years?
Never. Feeling ko nga mas lalong lumala. Kung dati, medyo hesitant pa ako; ngayon, mas “This is me, take it or leave it.”
Alam ko namang may makikinig at may makikinig sa akin at may makakarelate sa akin, so fuck it kung ayaw ng iba. Masaya ako sa sampu, lima—’di ko kailangan ng sobrang daming tao.
You also talked about your idols in the industry. How does it feel to become an idol yourself that so many others look up to?
Actually, ‘di ko pa alam kung paano siya tatanggapin. Kasi para sa akin, estudyante pa rin ako ng laro. Wala pa ako sa katwiran para magsabi sa mga tumitingala sa akin kung ano ang dapat nilang gawin—bagets pa rin naman ako, hindi pa ako parang “big bro” tingnan.
Pero, narealize ko din na kailangan ko siyang tanggapin. Lagi ko na lang pinapakita na importanteng maging ikaw. ‘Wag kang sumunod sa mga bagay na hindi mo naman talaga gusto. Alamin mo yung mga gusto mo talaga, and at the same time—magpakatoo ka lang lagi sa sarili mo at sa kanino man ang nasa paligid mo.
“Maduming Timog” is undeniably darker and heavier in tone and lyrics. What are some of the things you learned from being in a darker place?
Seeing a brighter light. Kung ‘di ka pa nakakapunta sa dilim, ‘di mo ma-appreciate ‘yong liwanag talaga.
Talagang pinuntahan ko, sinilip ko talaga, sinalubong ko, ginawa ko, dinama ko—andun ako sa oras na ‘yon. Pero at the same time, hindi ko hinayaang mawala ako sa control. So, the things I’ve learned being in darker places, mas na-appreciate ko yung mga bagay na positive.
On a lighter note, during the listening party, your mother was in attendance. Are these topics something you’ve always felt comfortable talking about?
Well, ‘di ko naman sinasabi lahat sa kanya. Baka mapahirapan ko lang siya. Pero ‘yong mama ko, experienced din naman siya sa industriya—singer din ‘yan. Alam niya rin ‘yong mga dark things na ‘yon at naging understanding naman siya sa awa ng Diyos—kahit di ako nagkuwento, alam naman niya.
Making music was the point for you when you first started. Is that still the same?
Still the same, never will change. Ayon lang naman ‘yon eh. Sobrang invested ko nga dito sa “Maduming Timog.” The fact that it’s produced, written—the whole thing, 19 tracks, puro ako. That speaks for itself, na it’s still all about making music.
