Every year, Esquire Philippines' Man at His Best honors extraordinary Filipinos who are reshaping society. These are the men and women who are raising the bar for Filipino creatives, athletes, public servants, and professionals.
This year, we're celebrating eight mavericks and living legends in film, music, business, politics, and the arts. From National Artists Ricky Lee and Kidlat Tahimik to Mayor Joy Belmonte and tycoon Ramon Ang, we present the 2023 honorees who exemplify what it means to be a Man at His Best.
Meet Esquire's Musician of the Year, Ez Mil
Artist, musician, rapper, producer, director, and composer—Ezekiel Miller, aka Ez Mil, has made it his mission to be a multi-hyphenate. He raps in English, Tagalog, and Ilocano, and spits verses as well as a young Eminem. His talent is indubitable. His bars are slick. And his potential was recognized by some of the best in the business.
Born and raised in Olongapo, the Filipino-American rapper made headlines when he signed with Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment, the record labels of Eminem and Dr. Dre. It's one thing to be signed by Eminem or Dr. Dre, but to be signed by both is a feat that only two other artists have accomplished: 50 Cent and Stat Quo. The GOATs saw Miller for what he was, and through his music, the rest of the world is starting to catch on as well.Â
At 25, Miller has released four albums: Act 1, Resonances, DU4LI7Y, and DU4LI7Y: REDUX, all of which have been lauded for their old school flow and composition. In the Philippines, Miller is best known for his viral song "Panalo," an anthem for Filipino pride, and "Dalawampu't Apat Na Bala (Bara)," a showcase of his technical skill. But it was the track "Up Down" that caught the attention of Slim Shady himself, which led to Miller's most popular song to date: "Realest featuring Eminem."
