Hev Abi

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Hev Abi
OriginTomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
GenresPinoy hip-hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2020–present
LabelsDowntown Entertainment

Hev Abi is a Filipino rapper. Hailing from Quezon City, Abi gained recognition from a string of successful singles in 2023, including "Welcome 2DTQ" and "Para sa Streets". He released his debut album Kung Alam Mo Lang in October. He has led a "takeover" of Filipino records charts by Pinoy hip-hop artists which started in late 2023. Hev Abi's vocals range from soft to aggressive.

In February 2024, Abi had three No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Philippines Songs Charts.

Career[edit]

Hev Abi released the extended play (EP) Sakred Boy in 2022.[1] He gained wider recognition in 2023 with a string of successful singles,[2][3][4] including "Welcome 2DTQ", "Para sa Streets" (lit. 'For the Streets'), "QC Girls", "and "Lil Kasalanan Shortie" (lit. 'Lil Sin Shortie').[1][4] "Welcome 2DTQ" gradually became popular through word-of-mouth marketing before it went viral online, becoming his first song to chart on Billboard’s Philippines Songs Charts. Abi also gained online popularity, and celebrities have used the tracks as background music.[4][5] Rappler named Hev Abi one of the year's breakthrough Filipino artists.[2]

Hev Abi co-founded a record label called Downtown Entertainment, where he works together with other Filipino rappers.[4] In late October 2023, Abi released his introspective debut album Kung Alam Mo Lang (lit. 'If Only You Know'). He described it as an outlet from the most profound private experiences he went through the past several months,[1][2] centering around the theme of unconditional love. The first half deals with romance and the feature-heavy second half with close friendship.[6] A 12-track record,[2] it was listed by Esquire Philippines and SunStar Davao as one of the year's best Filipino albums.[3][7] The former thought the album had "a kind of polish and finesse" usually seen in more experienced artists.[7] The following month, Abi and R&B singer DEMI collaborated on the single “Pakundangan" (lit. 'Respect').[5]

In February 2024, The Philippine Star's Baby A. Gil noticed that Pinoy hip-hop artists, the most successful of which was Hev Abi, had recently "taken over" the Filipino music charts from pop music.[8] Abi's songs occupied five of the Top 25 Spotify songs in the Philippines,[8] and he amassed two million monthly listeners on the platform.[1] Gil described modern Filipino hip-hop as "softer, [more] lovelorn" and more pop-like than the genre's earlier artists, questioning whether artists such as Abi would "stand the test of time".[8]

The record for the most Filipino artists on Billboard’s Philippines Songs Charts was broken during this period.[5] On the week of February 17, 2024, Abi had seven songs (including guest appearances) on the charts. In particular, Abi's "Alam Mo Ba Girl" (lit. 'Do You Know Girl') was the No. 1 song and had been on the chart for twelve weeks.[9]

Artistry[edit]

Abi's hip-hop has a sense of "duality". While some songs such as "Para Sa Streets" feature more relaxed vocals, his more aggressive rap delivery has been shown in songs such as "Welcome 2DTQ".[1][2] His variety also comes across in Kung Alam Mo Lang, from the UK garage-inspired "Sumugal" (lit. 'Take a Chance') to the boom bap of "Alam Mo Ba Girl", a song about a secret relationship. Abi can also sing.[4]

Abi is an independent artist. His inspirations include Kanye West; Tyler, the Creator; Pharrell Williams; and Filipino producers such as pxyche. Scout describes his songs as exuding "confidence and bravado".[1] Although he has a general concept for each song, Abi writes the lyrics offhand,[6] dere-derecho. His songs are produced by NJ.[4]

Personal life[edit]

Little is known about Hev Abi's personal life, something that Gil described as a perhaps unintentional but "clever marketing gimmick." He is from Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Agustin, Carl Martin (February 14, 2024). "To simply make music is the point for rising star Hev Abi". Scout. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "A year when Pinoy music thrived: Breakthrough OPM acts of 2023". Rappler. December 17, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Llemit, Ralph Lawrence G. (January 12, 2024). "The Best OPM Albums of 2023". SunStar Davao. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Pareño, Elijah Timothy (November 24, 2023). "Rising Rap Star Hev Abi Is a Quezon City Boy Through and Through". Esquire Philippines. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Angan, Kara (November 20, 2023). "Hev Abi And DEMI To Join Forces In 'Pakundangan'". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Angan, Kara (October 24, 2023). "EXCLUSIVE: Hev Abi Gives A Track By Track Guide Of 'Kung Alam Mo Lang'". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Caña, Paul John (December 20, 2023). "The 16 Best OPM Albums and EPs of 2023". Esquire Philippines. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d Gil, Baby A. (February 3, 2024). "Pinoy hip-hop is taking over the charts". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  9. ^ "Philippines Songs". Billboard. February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
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