How freestyle rap helped this visually impaired man find his parents and a reason to live

Kokey is a 21-year-old visually impaired man who took Philippine social media by storm with his freestyle rap. Not only was he lyrically good, his courage to pursue his art despite his disability was an inspiration to many.

He was only two years old when his family realized he was blind. Not long after, his parents separated, leaving Kokey to live with his grandmother, Emelita in Malabon.

Life as a visually impaired person was already tough, but his parents separating left Kokey in an even darker place. With his lola’s meager earnings as a suman vendor, Kokey couldn’t afford to go to school.

And then the bullying started. “Pagbubuhatan po ako ng kamay ng hindi ko po kilala, hanggang sa dumarating sa point na nanlalaban na po ako. Yung mga maling bagay, ginagawa ko na rin dahil naninikip po yung dibdib ko sa sobrang galit,” Kokey said on Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho Sunday night.

(“People I didn’t know would hit me. It got to the point where I would hit back, and all the wrong things done to me, I ended up also doing because I was so angry.”)

One day, Kokey discovered rap music and something beautiful happened: It was as if all his anger vanished into thin air. He realized he could rap himself, and so he did.

Soon, he would earn money doing freestyle rap, and soon after that, the respect he craved.

In 2016, Kokey hit another low: his mother was sent to jail and at one point, he lost consciousness. “Nasa iisang madilim na lugar ako’t may dalawang matandang nagtuturuan. ‘Halika na, sumama ka na sa akin.

“Huwag mo siyang kunin. Meron pa siyang kabutihang pwedeng gawin,” Kokey narrates.

(“I was in a dark place and there were two old men pointing at each other. One of them was trying to take me with him, the other one was stopping him.”)

“Parang yun nga yung sinasabi nila, binitawan na po yung kaluluwa ko ng matandang yun, kung sino man yun,” he continues.

(“That’s what they’re saying, the old man, whoever he was, freed my soul.”)

It was after this episode, when Kokey made up Rapkalungkutan, his own freestyle rap. Soon enough, he achieved viral success, allowing him to find his father, who was now living in Cebu.

His mom has been freed from behind bars, and though she has a family of her own, her presence helps Kokey deal with his sadness.

Kokey wasn’t dealt the best hand in life, but with rap music, he is able to make the best of the life he was given. 

For those who want to help, you may deposit to:

Landbank San Jose, Navotas Branch
ACCOUNT NAME: Emelita Comandante Beato
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1596078245

— LA, GMA News