Hev Abi is the hottest rapper in Filipino hip-hop right now. Since exploding on the scene in 2023, he’s dropped an album, amassed 6 million avid listeners per month, and most recently, had his first-ever concert at the New Frontier Theatre in Cubao last April 28, 2024. And when the confetti popped during the finale: a hard rock rendition of “Alam Mo Ba Girl” in front of a rabid sold-out crowd, it was clear that the 22-year-old had transcended hype to become a full-fledged rap star.
Watching Hev Abi this past year was like checking off a list of what makes a hip-hop phenom. Streaming numbers? Check. Collaborations? Check. Prolific discography? 3 albums and 1 EP in 2 years; he’s got that covered. But while the hype is expected of rappers dubbed “Rookie of the Year”, achieving these feats in record time makes Hev an interesting sight.
In retrospect, Hev Abi's meteoric success was in the cards. His beats capture this generation’s preference: smooth, casual, the type you can play in road trips or late-night musings. But at the same time, the lyrics are maangas— they can convey adoration without being overly cheesy, or be “proud” minus the offensiveness. Therein lies the appeal; Hev can be sentimental and confident without going overboard. This endears him to the mainstream audience, which hip-hop’s controversies and aggressive lyricism have otherwise polarized.
True to this nature, Hev Abi was proud to represent his humble beginnings in “Downtown QC” and Tomas Morato, with a set design and even a flag that paid homage to both. But by the end, visibly overwhelmed by his newest milestone, Hev Abi profusely thanked the crowd, some of whom traveled far to see hip-hop’s newest Golden Boy.
He also gave shoutouts to his front acts: Illest Morena, Because, gins&melodies, Kristina Dawn, and Unotheone, as well as his crew, Downtown Q Entertainment and TMP Industries, who have expertly navigated the surrounding hype.
No rapper alive right now has ridden the upsurge in Filipino hip-hop as well as Hev Abi. In just a year, he has created a discography and following once reserved for pop idols and international stars. Time will tell if this is all a prelude to the makings of a hip-hop legend, but if we’re to place our bets, we’d be hard-pressed to find anyone else with a better chance than the kid from Tomas Morato.
