Hev Abi Opens Up About His New Mixtape ‘bahay namin maliit lamang’: “Siguro reflection lang din siya ng pag-evolve ko as an artist.”

Filipino hip-hop has been gaining massive traction as one of the scene’s fastest-rising genres, and at the center of it all is the one and only Hev Abi.

The Tomas Morato-raised rapper continues to stand out both on and beyond the Billboard charts as an innovative artist whose discography exemplifies a unique blend of raw talent and his inventive spirit. 

Since his early days on the scene, Hev has captivated audiences with his sharp lyrical prowess and ability to merge storytelling with rhythm. His smashing debut album, Kung Alam Mo Lang, saw critical and commercial acclaim from all sides of the local music industry — solidifying his status as one of the industry’s rising stars of the country’s prominent hip-hop scene.

His latest mixtape, bahay namin maliit lamang, exemplifies the latest step of his creative journey as an artist. The seven-track project is a masterful display of Hev’s ability to navigate through a spectrum of sounds while still delivering a cohesive and compelling narrative. Each track on the mixtape highlights different facets of his artistry, ranging from introspective ballads to high-energy anthems, that result in a dynamic listening experience. 

With what the mixtape has proven, it not only reinforces the downtown QC rapper’s status as a rising star in the Philippine rap scene ––  but also solidifies his reputation as an artist who is redefining the boundaries of the genre through a commendable exploration of sounds that not many of his peers play around with.

Following his debut album, the 22-year-old musician wanted to change his approach in crafting his follow-up mixtape. “Itong mixtape kasi very house music, tapos nag-isip ako ng creative way kung paano magagamit or mai-incorporate ‘yung salitang ‘house’ sa project. Since maliit [at maikli] lang din ‘yung mixtape, seven tracks lang. So ayun, [diyan na nanggaling ‘yung] ‘bahay namin maliit lamang.’” (“This mixtape is very much made up of house music, so I thought of a creative way on how to use or incorporate the word ‘house’ into the project. And also because the mixtape is quite short, with just seven tracks. So from there, that’s how I came up with the title ‘bahay namin maliit lamang.”)

The process of bringing the project to life was one that he describes as a breeze, given how much fun he had in crafting the record. “Kung gaano kasaya ‘yung tunog ng mixtape, ganun din sya kasaya gawin,” the rapper says, “Basta syempre nung ginagawa namin siya, dahil house, bounce bounce din kami, nagsasayawan din kami habang ginagawa yung mga kanta. So ganun lang — kung gaano siya kasaya pakinggan, sayawan —  ganun din siya nung ginagawa namin.” (“How mixtape was made was also as fun as it sounds. When we were making the record, because it was comprised of house music, we found ourselves dancing and bouncing along. We danced while we were recording, and with how fun it sounds to listen and dance to, that’s exactly how it was when we were making it.”)

From what listeners have taken away from the project, the mixtape offers a mix of personal reflections, straightforward tracks, and varied production styles — resulting in a diverse listening experience. Several tracks delve into personal and introspective themes, such as “Showbiz lang, sorry babe…,” which explores the darker side of the entertainment industry, while “Masyadong mabulaklak” deals with Hev’s trust issues — baring a new side of vulnerability and emotional honesty from the beloved rapper.

Yet even in terms of its sonic landscape, bahay namin maliit lamang showcases a range of musical styles, from house beats in “Umaatras ang dila” to the mellow, slow sound of “Julie pakipot.” “I would say na sa lahat naman ng naging project ko – panlima ko na ‘to – parang every time, nagbabago naman ‘yung sound. Hindi rin naman siguro sa sinasadya ko or intentional, pero siguro sa maturity ko lang din,” Hev states. (“I would say with all my projects — this is my fifth — every time I work on something, my sound changes. It’s not really because I want to do so or it’s intentional, but perhaps it’s due to my maturity over the years.”)

“’Yung music na ginagawa ko, eto din ‘yung mga gusto kong pakinggan, so siguro reflection lang din siya ng pag-evolve ko as an artist,” he proclaims. (“The music that I get to make is exactly what I like to listen to, so I guess it’s a reflection of how I’ve evolved as an artist.”)

With the final record now out in the world, Hev feels a sense of relief (and liberation) for his what he’s managed to accomplish with the project. “OK naman [ako], at masaya,” he adds with a laugh. “’Di ko siguro masyadong in-expect kung paano din siya kadali tinanggap ng community, since medyo iba nga ‘yung tunog sa usual na maiisip kapag sinabing hip-hop. Pero masaya ako sa naging feedback ng mga tao — kumbaga ‘yung mga may gusto, gusto talaga nila ta[po]s ‘yung mga ‘di trip [dahil] may rason din sila, ganun,” he adds. (“I guess I feel okay, and happy. I don’t think I expected how well it would be received by the community, especially when considering how the sounds are a bit different from what you’d expect from hip-hop. But I’ve been really happy with the feedback from people — because there are a lot of people who really, really like it, and there are those who don’t really vibe with it because of whatever reason.”)

While feedback doesn’t necessarily matter to his approach and process to the world of music, he keeps his sights ahead towards the future, particularly with the first leg of his international tour that begins in Australia this week. Speaking about how he feels regarding the show, he confesses “Mostly nervous ako, kaso minsan kinakabisado ko lyrics ko kasi nakakalimutan ko,” adding a laugh or two. (“Mostly I’m feeling nervous, but sometimes I really have to memorize my lyrics because I often forget it.”)

“Basta excited din ako [na pupunta ako diyan] mag-perform, [kasi] malay mo ako ‘yung ma-surprise nila dun,” he adds coyly. (Well, I’m just excited to go there and perform, because who knows, maybe I’ll be the one who’ll be surprised by the audience.”)

Ultimately, what matters most for Hev — beyond the charts, a smash-hit record, or an international tour — is his love for making music. “Music pa rin naman [ang gusto ko, at itutuloy ko]. Wala namang nagbabago, basta ako [nandito] pa rin. QC pa rin!” he proclaims. (“Music is still what matters to me — and it’s what I love and will continue to create. Nothing is gonna change as long as I’m here. QC forever!”)

Listen to Hev Abi’s latest mixtape bahay namin maliit lamang below: