Six things you didn’t know about rapper Abra

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Abra’s got flow. 

Born Raymond Abracosa, the 23-year-old rapper made a name for himself in underground rap battle leagues like Fliptop and Sunugan. Unlike less skilled rappers, who simply speak lines and rely on cursing to elicit a reaction, Abra’s put-downs were lyrical and pointedly witty. After several battles, the boyish rapper became one to watch out for.

However, his big break came with his single “Gayuma”, which was watched 1,000,000 times on YouTube on its first week alone – a definite feat for a young rapper without any mainstream exposure. In 2013, he was awarded “Best Musical Act” at the Globe Tatt Awards.

Abra shared his story with GMA-7 program “Tunay na Buhay.” 

He comes from a non-musical family
Abra’s father works as a professor, and his mom never learned to play an instrument. Because of this, becoming a rapper and establishing his own recording label at the age of 23 came out of left field.

As a child, Abra was already into the arts. “Mahilig na ako sa mga creative na bagay pero wala pa akong outlet. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko ilalagay,” he says. “Noong later years ng grade school, nagkaroon kami ng creative writing subjects. Doon ako bumuwelta.”

“Hindi ko rin naman akalaing magiging ganun,” Abra says of his rap career. “Gusto ko lang naman noon ay mag-rap, at hanggang ngayon ‘yun lang naman gusto kong gawin.”

“Gayuma” taught him to love music videos
Abra’s most famous single, “Gayuma”, tells the story of a man and his deceitful lover. In the comedic music video, which logged 1,000,000 views on its first week, Abra is dating a muscular male-to-female transgender who fed him a love potion (the titular gayuma) that made him believe he was dating a petite girly girl.

“Doon ko na-discover ‘yung love ko for creating music videos,” he says. “Nag-iisip kasi ako...’ano kaya ang pwede kong love song na rap?’ Eh ayoko namang mag-present ng conventional, so ginawa kong pseudo-love song. Akala mo love song sa simula, parang harana, pero hindi.”?

He has his own record label 
Abra’s favorite rapper is Eminem, known for his fast delivery and having multiple rhymes in one line – something present in Abra’s style as well. Locally, he’s a fan of Gloc-9, Francis M and Ron Henley.

Abra has actually collaborated with Ron Henley on his new track, “Cerberus”. The track was produced by Artifice Records, Abra’s own recording label. He explains the decision to produce independently: “In the long run, in terms of rights and yung ownership ng kanta, creative control, hindi [magiging] dictated ng ibang factor [ang musika]. Driven siya by the love of music. ‘Yun ‘yung goal namin sa Artifice – always, high quality.”

...and he has high hopes for Filipino music 
“Personal mission ko na ma-inspire ang lahat na mag-upgrade ng standards. Standards sa music, sa entertainment, movies, lahat,” he says.

“Ang pangarap ko lang naman, maglabas ng maraming album at mapaganda ‘yung estado ng music at quality dito sa Pilipinas.”

“Kayang-kaya naman natin makipagsabayan sa konsepto ang material ng international,” adds the young rapper. He’s working to reach the point where he can open doors for independent Filipino musicians, regardless of genre. “We have the resources and we have the talent.”

He’s single. 
“Mabait naman po ako. Music muna ang girlfriend ko ngayon,” he says.

He graduated with a degree in management accounting. 
Abra just graduated from the University of Asia and the Pacific. He credits his course for equipping him with skills to manage his own career.

“Alam ko ‘yung galawan, alam ko ‘yung dapat kong gawin, at ‘yung mga tungkol sa percentage, kaya hindi ako mauutil ng mga record label,” he said.

What’s the most important lesson he’s learned so far? “Dapat palagi nating gagalingan,” he says. “Hindi pupwede na ‘yung ‘pupwede na ‘yan.’”

More stories from “Tunay na Buhay”
Inside Japeth Aguilar’s home, college life and basketball career
Aiza Seguerra and Liza Dino: A love story over a decade in the making
Six things you didn’t know about Sam YG

For the latest videos from “Tunay na Buhay” and other shows from GMA Public Affairs, subscribe to our official YouTube Account. – Cristina Tantengco/CM, GMA News