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Smugglaz leaves empty chair for late brother on 'Piging' music video

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Josh Mercado

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1721044091934Rapper Smugglaz 07152024.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Rapper Smugglaz. Josh Mercado"/>Rapper Smugglaz. Josh Mercado</div>MANILA -- Shot at the Blue Leaf in BGC, Smugglaz took ABS-CBN News behind the scenes of his upbeat, meaningful video for his barkada anthem <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">“Piging” under Believe Music Philippines.   The Filipino rapper revealed that his brother, who died recently, was supposed to appear in the music video.Paying tribute to his brother, he made sure that there’s an empty chair on the set as part of the concept, which is a celebration of life, eating with the people you love and are grateful for.“Nung ginagawa ko ito, nag-start na kami mag-shoot nung July 4. Namatay ‘yung brother ko. Nabaril siya nung nakaraan. Actually kasama dapat siya rito. Nagplano na lang kami na maglagay ng mga bakanteng upuan para sa kanya,” he told ABS-CBN News.While mourning the loss of his brother, Smugglaz said it’s his promise to finish the music video, with his father and wife on the set supporting him.“Tinuloy-tuloy pa rin namin ngayon. Ngayon, nandito ang erpat at misis ko. Nandito ang mga kaibigan ko. Iba rin talaga ang naging struggles sa pagbuo nito. Simula sa pagre-record ng kanta hanggang sa music video. Kasi nagkaroon nga ng lamay at problema at inasikaso ko muna ‘yun,” he said.Recalling the creative process and reflecting on the meaning, the hip-hop artist shared: “Bukod sa mga ginagawa ko pang upcoming releases, bigla ko lang nasulat ito nung June kasi naisip ko na magbi-birthday ako. That time, medyo may naramdaman akong lungkot. Nai-connect ko itong &#x27;Piging&#x27; na nag-switch siya sa akin para maging grateful, para hanapin ‘yung bright side. Then paparating na ang birthday ko, naisip ko na puwede itong gawin para pagsama-samahin ang mga tropa, kaibigan, family, supporters.”About the meaning, he expressed: “Celebration ito ng life, ng birthday. Celebration ng layo nang inabot ng journey namin. Kung titingnan mo ang success, hindi mo siya makikita sa narating, mas makikita mo siya kung saan kami nanggaling, kung saan kami nagmula.”The popular rapper behind the hit song “Nakakamiss” told ABS-CBN News that he dedicates the new song to his friends and loved ones.“Sa haba ng paglalakbay namin, maraming nagbago, maraming nawala na mga kaibigan at kapamilya. Dedicated ito sa mga tropa at mga kaibigang nawala at loved ones na nawala,” he said.“Itong &#x27;Piging&#x27; na ito, ito lang ang panimula ko sa pagbabalik ko sa music. At sinimulan ko siya sa pagpapasalamat sa lahat ng mga naging bahagi ng aking journey.”Smugglaz thanks, praises Coco MartinIn the hit TV series “Batang Quiapo,” the rapper-actor plays Kidlat. During the music video set visit, he told ABS-CBN News how grateful he is for Coco Martin’s support to his personal showbiz career and to the hip-hop community.“Sa totoo lang, 3 weeks lang dapat talaga sa &#x27;Probinsyano.&#x27; Hindi ko akalain na aabot ako ng 6 years sa &#x27;Probinsyano.&#x27; Sa 6 years na ‘yun, sobra akong nagpapasalamat kasi ang laki ng inambag nun sa pagkatao ko, sa mga nalalaman ko, sa experience ko kaya sobrang equipped ako lalo pagbalik ko sa music kasi mas marami akong nakasama na mga tao at kuwentong narinig,” he said.“Hindi ko rin po aakalain na makakasama pa kami sa &#x27;Batang Quiapo&#x27; after ng &#x27;Probinsyano.&#x27; Sobrang grateful na andun pa rin ako kasi sabi ni Direk Coco na pasok ‘yung characters namin sa &#x27;Batang Quiapo&#x27; na taga-Tondo na mga hip-hop sa streets.”Martin was one of the key people who put rappers on the map via “Probinsyano” and “Batang Quiapo.”“Napakalaking bagay po talaga. Habang buhay ko pong ipagpapasalamat kay Coco Martin. Kung alam niyo lang po, ang mga nakakakilala lang sa amin dati ay mga teenager. Pero ngayon, halos yata buong bahay mula sa lola hanggang sa mga apo nila na nanonood ng &#x27;Probinsyano&#x27; at &#x27;Batang Quiapo,&#x27;” he said.He ended the interview by inviting fans to support his new song “Piging” and its music video. He also teased the “Batang Quiapo” viewers about the future of his character.“Abangan niyo dahil muli kaming maghaharap ng grupo ni Tanggol. As a fan and as a viewer, deserved [ng show] ang success, kasi kay Coco Martin pa lang po, sobra talaga siyang great example as a worker and artist kasi sobrang passionate and hands-on niya. Hindi po siya nale-late. Isa ‘yan sa mga ina-admire namin sa kanya. Never na-late. Sobrang professional at sobrang mahal na mahal niya ang mga katrabaho niya,” he ended.

The Filipino rapper revealed that his brother, who died recently, was supposed to appear in the music video for his barkada anthem 'Piging.'

The Filipino rapper revealed that his brother, who died recently, was supposed to appear in the music video for his barkada anthem 'Piging.'