Rising Rap Star Hev Abi Is a Quezon City Boy Through and Through

Hev Abi can rap. He can also sing. In fact, he is the hip-hop scene's answer to a jack-of-all-trades. But he doesn't see himself as someone who can do anything he wants. He humbly presents himself as he is: a rapper from Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Moreover, he raps about the scene he's surrounded himself in from the beginning.  

Who is Hev Abi

Hev Abi is a rapper and hip-hop artist who started to become well-known in the mainstream after releasing songs like “Para sa Streets,” “QC Girls,” and “WELCOME2DTQ.” Celebrities have even used the tracks as background music for their clips. Still, there’s hunger in the artists to release even more music. 

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Last October, the artist finally dropped his debut album Kung Alam Mo Lang exclusively on Spotify. The cover art shows the rapper standing against a neon sign, slightly resting over the fence that looks like something from the neighborhood he grew up in. It’s a subtle message that the album announces his arrival: Hev Abi is here, from the streets.  

Friends of the artist were invited to listen and watch a sneak peek of the album last October 20 at Cinema 76 along Tomas Morato. It was also the premiere of SOUNDTRIP Specials presented by Dougbrock TV, TMP Productions and Downtown Entertainment.

Throughout the entire night, Hev Abi didn’t mince words, regardless of all of the comments some older, more seasoned rappers have said about him. The venue was filled with old and new faces in the local hip-hop scene, including the artist’s family. 

“Anak ko yan!” Hev's mother screamed proudly. Inside the cinema, there was an atmosphere of excitement and celebration. The artist also expressed gratitude to TMP founder Douglas Brocklehurst, producer NJ and director Roger Divino for turning his dreams into reality.

After the premiere, Esquire Philippines sat down for a short chat with Hev Abi. 

Photo by Hev Abi.

Speaking about his creative process, Hev Abi reveals that he doesn't have that much of a rigorous process and that he just comes up with his ideas on the fly. Whether it would be for the UK garage-influenced “Sumugal,” or the boom-bap secret relationship-theme of “Alam Mo Ba Girl,” Hev Abi’s creativity is more incidental than intentional. 

“Walang masyadong creative process,” he says. “Minsan dere-derecho yan kung anu-ano ang maiisip ko na melody doon ko ivo-vocalize kaagad.”

Adding to the fact that his output isn't just a byproduct of his online virality, Hev Abi says he simply jots down the lines after making countless quick adlibs to the microphone. Constantly waking up his producer NJ during the wee hours of the morning, proof that his hunger for creating is at its peak even before the alarm goes off. The artist also co-founded a rap label along with the artists he trusts called Downtown Entertainment. As much as he's labeled as a solo artist, Hev Abi doesn't want to be categorized solely as the man who's responsible for the most part. Instead, he emphasizes that Downtown Entertainment is a powerhouse of creatives wanting to get by.

“Hindi siya rap collective.” He says, “Hindi siya clique. Isa siyang label na kung saan gumagawa tayo ng kanta para sa karamihan, para sa trip namin magkatropa.”

The fascinating part about Hev Abi's music is that he not only showcases his talent on the microphone, but also professes his neverending admiration for the city he grew up in, which he believes is the greatest place on Earth.

"Nung di pa ako rapper 'non alam ko na kaagad na sobrang lupet ng lugar na kinalalakihan ko,” he exclaims. “Na parang ang angas, makulay siya, buhay na buhay yung lugar.” 

Tomas Morato is the number one place to be according to Hev Abi. To this day, even if his popularity is continuing to grow at a faster rate, he doesn’t let all the online hoopla get to him, whether it’s veterans in the scene poking fun at “WELCOME2DTQ” and its lyricism or fans touting him as the “rookie of the year.” 

“Hinahayaan ko lang yung mga comments kase ayaw ko isipin masyado,” he says. “Bata pa ako. Dami pang maexperience na bagay sa eksena at sa buhay.” 

While true to his intentions, Hev Abi always knew that his songs were going to hit it big. At the same time, he says he’s also the type of artist to let things simmer. When “WELCOME2DTQ” came out, it was a slow process, a single that was a product of organic, word-of-mouth marketing that eventually exploded and became a viral sensation. Staying true to his debut album title, Hev Abi says his next move will be on the down low somewhere in downtown Quezon City. 

“Kahit di pa lumabas yung “WLECOME2DTQ,” alam na alam ng tropa namin sa sasabog to pag-release.” he explains, “Na parang alam nila na sasabog yung isang track na yan at di ko inaaakalang makikinig ng karamihan ngayon. Di ko masasabi kung saan o kelan yung next pero hindi pa ito yung tapos.”