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Pinoy artists explain what's wrong with 'toxic' songs 'Awit,' 'Neneng B'

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/01/22/20200122-young-vito-nik-makino.jpg"/><figcaption>Young Vito and Nik Makino are sacrificing their &quot;dignity&quot; and &quot;integrity&quot; in releasing songs that reinforce toxic views on gender, according to a group of Filipino artists. <em>Instagram</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Local rap artist Young Vito, it seems, is determined in getting his song, &quot;Awit,&quot; accused of being transphobic, out there. </p><p>Young Vito, or Erich Bongon, wrote a song which mocks trans women. He apologized for its lyrics, but released it anyway this past week. </p><p>The backlash was instant, and Viva Records, which signed Young Vito despite the many criticisms, promptly took the song down from all platforms. A day later, Young Vito uploaded it himself. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/01/18/20/transphobic-rap-song-awit-taken-down-from-spotify-youtube">READ: Transphobic rap song ‘Awit’ taken down from Spotify, YouTube</a></li></ul><p>This newest move by Young Vito felt misguided, said the members of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP), a group founded by National Artist for Films Lino Brocka, this Tuesday. </p><p>The group penned a letter to the aspiring rap artist and told him not to &quot;sacrifice dignity and integrity in exchange for fame.&quot; </p><p>The lengthy letter, posted on Facebook, featured an explanation as to why the song was offensive (&quot;these lyrics insinuate that trans women are an abomination&quot;), similar to other &quot;toxic&quot; songs such as Nik Makino&#x27;s &quot;Neneng B,&quot; which &quot;reinforces the idea that women exist to be fetishized for male pleasure.&quot; </p><p>CAP said that they believe that art &quot;should be liberative, and not oppressive,&quot; and urged young musicians to avoid treading &quot;this well-worn path of toxic and fragile masculinity.&quot; </p><p>The group also called out Viva Records for the decision to release &quot;Awit,&quot; and reminded them of their social responsibility to promote inclusion and acceptance. </p><p>You can read the full letter by CAP below: </p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/artistangbayan/photos/a.217690818242635/3082777331733955/?type=3&amp;theater" data-width="auto"> </div>

<p>The group penned a letter to Young Vito and told him not to 'sacrifice dignity and integrity in exchange for fame.'</p>

The group penned a letter to Young Vito and told him not to 'sacrifice dignity and integrity in exchange for fame.'