Returning to Star Music after 10 years, OPM rap icon Gloc-9 recently launched his new album entitled, Sukli.

Featuring nine tracks including the primetime teleserye theme song Ang Probinsyano featuring Ebe Dancel, Gloc-9 did more collaborations in the album. He collaborated with singer KZ Tandingan for the song “Industriya” which tackles about what may happen behind the scenes of a celebrity’s life.

When asked what paved the way for Gloc-9 to return to Star Music, the rapper began by saying that he is very comfortable working with Star Music’s songwriter-producer Jonathan Manalo since they were friends who worked together when he was just starting as a music researcher in the company many years ago.

“Minsan, nagkakwentuhan kami. ‘Uy Jo, wala akong label ngayon, eh. Ano kaya? Pa’no kaya?’ Parang gano’n. (Sabi niya) ‘Gusto mo ganito, ganyan’ pero at that time, wala pa talaga akong balak gumawa ng album. Siguro totoo talaga ‘yun na ‘pag ka oras mo, oras na. And then nagsimula ngang dumating ‘yung mga songs, pinarinig ko sa kanya,” he recalled.

Jonathan, on the other hand, shared that he would see Gloc-9 at industry events as they are both members of Elements, a group for professional Filipino songwriters who mentor other aspiring artists. He then admitted he jokingly asked Gloc-9 when he will return to Star Music.

“Siyempre dumating ‘yun time na wala na siyang label at sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Aris (Gloc-9’s real name), mukhang kailangan mo nang bumalik,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gloc-9 added, “Meron naman po ring ibang labels na nag-ooffer din pero si Jonathan and siyempre ang Star Music ang pinaka-generous sa pagdating sa creative freedom, sa mga requests. May mga requests po kami na pinagbigyan nila.”

When asked about Star Music’s plans for the rapper who popularized the OPM hits “Upuan” and “Sirena,” Jonathan answered, “Actually, maraming malalaking plano (kay Gloc-9) bukod nga dito sa paglaunch ng kanyang comeback EP under Star Music. Nakaplano na ‘yung series of EPs na lalabas in the next months after nito. Tapos, bukod doon, he’s producing for other artists under dun sa mga roster of stars na nasa Star Music particularly si KZ Tandigan. Meron siyang sinusulat na something for KZ’s upcoming album. At the same time, tinatap din si Aris for writing theme songs for teleseryes. Pinaka-recent nga ‘yung sa (FPJ’s Ang) Probinsyano, ‘yung dinuet nila ni Ebe na kinompose ni Aris. Mga gano’ng projects for him in the future. Expect more of those.”