What separates rap music from poetry?
“Nothing. They are all the same,” quipped Epitacio Tongohan, National Artist for Literature nominee at the opening of “The Secret Party,” a rap gig at the Black Lameza in Pasig City Saturday night.
“In poetry, one can also provide music as background while declaiming a piece,” said Tongohan, also known as Doc PenPen or Bugtong Takipsilim, B. Takipsilim for short.
“Rap, hip hop and flip top are underground arts that are part of the evolution of poetry. It is a revolution in itself,” explained Doc PenPen, a real-life medical practitioner.
“All of them have rhythm. They are all music to the ears like reciting a poem. It should be encouraged,” the poet shared.
“We should not judge flip top as uncouth or vulgar. It is a tradition. It is defiance of society’s dictates on morals,” philosophized B. Takipsilim.
It is not unnatural for the NA for Lit nominee to support rap music.
“I am all for rap music. I hope it’s not only the youth who would patronize but the elderly as well. Rap music, hip hop and flip top are all ages,” he encouraged.
Doc PenPen said that when Juan Cel, his kababayan rapper from Tanay, Rizal invited him to grace “The Secret Party,” he didn’t mince words to grant the invitation.
“I am a poet so I support poetry-driven arts like rap, flip top and hip hop,” exclaimed Tongohan,
(Photo Credit: Boy Villasanta)
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