Tayo ay Pilipino
Kahit anong kulay ng balat isasapuso
Mapa-tagalog bisaya o ilokano
Walang tatalo sa bagsik ng ating dugo
Isigaw ng malakas ang ating panalo
Wag nang pagusapan ang mga negatibong
Pangyayari san mang panig ka nasa mundo
Kinabukasan na natin to (panalo)
That’s the chorus of the viral rap song “Panalo” which is currently lording the Spotify list and the YouTube video featuring the guesting at WishUSA.
US-based Ez Mil, the Pinoy breakout rapper is currently taking the Philippines by storm with his songs and brand of rap. Yes, the Pinoy-American music artist is in Manila to pay homage to his land of birth via the EZ Mil: Panalo Homecoming Tour 2022.
For the very first time, after breaking the internet with his 2020 single, Panalo, and signing with Virgin Music in the US, Ez Mil will be performing live in the Philippines this April and May. The homecoming tour presented by Mak Entertainment Services, kicked off on April 29 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. It would be followed by May 1 at SMX in Davao City; May 6 at Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City; May 13 at CAP Convention Center in Baguio City and on May 15 at Subic Gymnasium in Olongapo City.
It’s so easy for the viral rapper to endear himself to Filipinos. For one, music lovers see in him the love and Filipino pride of the late master rapper Francis Magalona. His breakthrough hit Panalo is patriotically aggressive in tone much like Mga Kababayan which brought to the fore Francis M.’s revolutionary talent in 1990.
Second, Ez Mil speaks both English and Pilipino during the Manila tour to the delight of local fans. And third, he was a loving kuya to younger sister, Raynn who is also featured in the concert. In fact, she gave her ample exposure with her soulful rendition of Storm and a medley with Gloc9 for Hari ng Tondo. The concert was highly applauded as it also featured great Filipino talents two years after the pandemic. Aside from Gloc9, among the featured artists were Plan B, Kamikazee, Keifer Sanchez, Darren Espanto, HBom, Froilan Canlas, Raining Sorrow, Nix Damp P, and Ren.
Before the concert, the young man behind the viral hit “Panalo (Trap Cariñosa)” met the Filipino media via a mediacon on April 23 in Quezon City.
“It’s an honor to be put in the same league as Francis M. and other such other heavy names. But I’d like to think I’m doing something different. I don’t want to stick to one thing,” he said. He also doesn’t want the idea of him engaging in a rap battle. “I don’t see myself in the battle arena,” he hinted.
On answering what could have been the ingredient that made Panalo a true winner, he said, “I’m proud of being a Filipino and everything that went with that song expressed that. I am happy that my efforts bore fruits.”
Ez Mil said he plans to write and release more songs, collaborate with the heavyweights in rap such as Eminem, and help Filipino artists penetrate the international scene.
Born Ezekiel Miller in 1998 in Olongapo City, Ez Mil is, interestingly, the son of band frontman Paul Sapiera whose lead vocals is heard in classic songs Parting Time and Mahal Pa Rin Kita, both from the band RockStar which he fronted and helped skyrocket to fame in the ‘90s.
Before coming home Ez Mil released his second single “Dalawampu’t Dalawang OO (2200)” on April 15. It’s a Filipino rap track that pays homage to his hometown of Olongapo in the country.
As of press time, “Panalo” has over 13M hits at Spotify and over 71M have already watched Ez Mil’s performance of the song at the WishUSA Bus on YouTube.
Ez Mil’s “Panalo HomeComing Tour” is happening on April 29 atNew Frontier Theater, May 1 at SMX Davao, May 6 at Albay Astrodome, May 13 at Baguio City and May 15 at Subic Gymnasium.