MUSIC IS LIFE: WWW.KONEKTADO.COM

Mike Swift - Magiingay (Produced by Mr. Rey)

One of my good friends has already landed in Pinas, yes his name is Mike Swift and well -- we are all coming home to celebrate, regroup and shake some cages up. I repeat, coming home -- not going back; but coming back home. If you think for one second that our bids outside Pinas has softened us up, hmmmm -- you haven't prayed enough or your prayers are working against you. To all those cats, putting out songs mentioning whether noon I used to play you beats and ngayon you in magazines, and then drop a line about a New York MC and welcoming him to what we call home -- stay on your toes, we are around motherfucker. Konektado celebration this sunday, so this interview would have to sustain you guys for a few more days as well we put in some work in what could be hiphop's busiest week early this year. Read through as Mike Swift weaves through my questions in preparation for bringing home the fun and the toasting it up with friends. Aiyo Mike, time to connect the dots.


SOULFIESTA: If you learned one thing about Filipino Hiphop politics over the years, what would it be?

There are many levels of politics in Filipino Hiphop, and thats including everywhere else out side the Philippines who has a pinoy rap community. There are so many crews with different perspectives and principles when it comes to their intrepetation of what hiphop is to them and so little communication amongst each other that it becomes almost parallel to how real politics in the philippines is governed. Its fucked up with no direction.

Why do you think Empire Entertainments Hiphop Awards gives such a negative vibe after a strong start? What have negative aspects are there that have left sour tastes in peoples mouths?

It wasnt always like that. I think it's because the people who are running it lost connection with the people who who dwells in it. I can remember the energy of the first Philippine HipHop awards, it made me desperately hustle up to come back to the philippines where I almost went to jail a couple of times in Brooklyn, just to be able to be a part of this history. My thoughts then was, "Imagine 50 years from now when they do the 50th annual PHHA, I will be considered as a pioneer, let me get my highlight in there with a purpose and a message for where im going to take this", and that I am certain I have done, unfortunately there will no longer be a philippine hiphop awards from now on, or they can try, but I guarantee I will be throwing an event the same day. I dont know what negative aspects it left other people, but me personally, Empire has been holding vendettas and grudges against me since the 2nd annual. Oh by the way we cant no longer call it annual because it skipped a year (how consistent). I heard different stories from close friends of Empire to why they have sour taste about it. Examples: not being able to explain the judging system and logistics of the awards, the favoring of closer friends to be more involved than outsiders, not wanting to collaborate with others who offered help and add to make sure this ceremony grows even larger. It is heavy and deep, and once again I will never make up things with out foundation of truth with proof.

If you could give the hiphop awards an award, what would it be?

I heard this from someone, might have been from you Bong "THE REVERSE ROBIN HOOD AWARD"

You've talked about playing ball with Francis Magalona countless of times, how is he as a player? Which position did he play? Could he shoot the ball well? And does he play D?

I know you asked this question probably to rub it in to Krazy Kulangot to stop posing as if he is as close as he portrays to be with Francis M as he make it seem to be (laughing) I dont want to be accused as someone who is doing similar. Even though If I did brag, mine would be true. Everyone knows that, but there are people that are way closer to Francism than I was, and they stay hushed about it, which is why I feel a bit shameful to say how close I know I am to him. I think everyone who knows Francis and are closer to him can see thru what Kulangot is desparately attempting to do. What a weak character this kid has, and pakisabi sa kanya tama na ang pang gagaya ng mga concepto ko na di bagay sa kanya, sobrang halata na. I played ball with Kiko heavy for 2 years straight and saw him there once, what a fag Kulangot (hahaha) I'm guessing you wanted people to know how Kulangot stay posing as if he was close to Kiko but, no worries yung mga baho nya ay lumilitaw litaw na. But as far as playing ball I mean Francis was already 40 years old and still was able to compete hard. He played the point guard, and we would switch up time to time when we played on the same team Ihe would play shooting guard sometimes. Ang lakas ng pulso ni Kiko, and he had quick hands, made a lot of steals. We palyed all over mostly RFM in Mandaluyong near where I lived in Cityland Condo. He would take his son Frank, and we would also play with some of the Eat Bulaga Staff. I might even have footage -- actually I do, I'll be uploading it to www.konektado.com in the future so stay tuned there.

http://www.konektado.com/ official launch on March 21, 2010

To The Billboard has grown so much worldwide over the years, what certain ocassion or moment caught you off guard on the growth of it?

When people outside the Philippines and of different race greet me by saying it, and some even asking for autographs, naks hehe, but it is overwhelming consider how the concept was born. everyday it surprises me, just a little while ago an artist from Baguio just emailed me a song screaming it, as if he understood everything about it and it's good already.

Do you ever worry that you aren't enjoying things as much cause your pace is faster than ever? Flights, shows, interviews, videos left and right, do you think its in your character to slow down the pace?

Its hard for me to slow down when I know my enjoyment comes from inching closer to the end goal. Trust me I am always enjoying it. The only sad part is not being able to enjoy it with everyone who became close to me in this journey every time.

I know you're a movie buff, what was the last movie that you watched -- either TV, cinema or DVD -- how was it?

Honestly I havent been watching too many movies lately, I havent had any time. Last movie I saw probably was Avatar/Law Abiding Citizen. They were ok. But I watch movies in a different light nowadays considering that its the route I want to take. I really am excited to get my first ones out the way.

Mike Swift - Lagi Kong Kasama (LIVE)

You are famous for saying "To be a rapper in Pinas is the worst career move ever" -- and people give us props cause "we make it look easy" when we give em the finished product, which of your products over the years was the hardest to put together? Why?

I say Legendary album, only because of all the journey I made getting to finish such a conceptual album starting with no money when I was less known, and yet was able to finish the product where people will get to see how I made everything true inside my last song in the album that I wrote first before the rest. Riddles upon riddles. When people dig and see each story behind each song they will know that this album is very special, because its purpose is what changes you are seeing happen today.

Whats good to order along side Batangas' Lomi?

Extra doble rekado, kikiam at atay/ garlic bread from Lomi King in Lipa City. Tara!

What is the idea behind Mike Watawat and Sunny Bandila? Where are they now?

Mike Watawat and Sunny Bandila are superheroes ng pinas. They are just local filipino rappers who caught powers somewhere down the line, and decided to clean Philippines of evil by any means necessary specially thru songs. They are just strategizing in their hideouts behind their regular human identities, preparing to fly rigorously through out Pinas.

Explain your thought on "Loyalty Feeds The Movement", what does this mean to you?

Loyalty is a trait that is atrracted by "To The Billboard" I am a big Fan of people who take that word seriously. I die living out that word for people who do the same for me and what a lot of us learned to beleive in.

Mike Swift & J-Hon - Sold Us A Dream (Produced by Slick N Sly Kane)

Who do you think the Knicks' need season? Lebron, D Wade or Chris Bosh?

I think they need Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, Anthony mason, John starks back, hehe and bring my boy Stephon back (gotta be bias, I know him well enough personally and I myself played ball against him once upon a time, hehe naks 19 points and 2 steals of him and his team in Shorefront Y if you must know hehe)

What is the concept behind the Konektado webapge? Where do you see flourishing and what kind of support are you asking people regarding the webpage? It's a fresh look for pinoy artist having a legit webpage where in they have they're own voice and could put up their own material and not being stopped by radio, label, tv conglomerates who think they could dictate the scene? What is your goal for this webpage?

It's to bring everything and everyone in the world a little closer to each other than if this site didnt exist, because this does not cater to hiphop only. Konektado.com touches everything under the sun, and including it.


Sunny Blaze is already a legend in the scene even before you stepped in the Philippines -- and yet he has openly and willingly played his role behind the scenes to help push you. Whats are your top 5 moments with Sunny Blaze?

There is no top 5, everyday is highlight with Sunny Bandila. Too many unforgettable can never be duplicated journeys.

If you could rock a verse on a classic 90's song/album -- which would it be?

The whole Illmatic album. I considered it my bible during those times.

Mike Swift & J-Hon - Back At It Again

What could people expect this time around that you're coming home?

THE UNEXPECTED!!!!!



FIN