Ron Henley

Tagalog Rap, often synonymous with or a major component of Pinoy Hip Hop, is a genre of music that originated in the Philippines. It features rapping (rhythmic vocal delivery) primarily in the Tagalog language, though often characterized by 'Taglish' (code-switching between Tagalog and English). The genre encompasses a wide range of styles, from the novelty and comedy rap that marked its mainstream breakthrough to socially conscious lyricism, hardcore gangsta rap, and modern trap. Lyrical themes frequently explore Filipino daily life, social and political issues, poverty, love, and national pride. It is distinguished by its use of Filipino rhyme schemes (tugma) and often incorporates samples from classic OPM (Original Pilipino Music) or folk songs.