12 Hours With The Pinoy Hip-Hop Class Of 2024

In its latest print issue, Billboard Philippines brought together the first-ever Pinoy Hip-Hop Class. This comprised the country’s most exciting rookies, who are changing the game and pushing the boundaries of what hip-hop can be.

Among them, they have over millions and millions of streams, dozens of chart-topping hits, and the skillset even some of the most veteran rappers have taken note of. Comprising O SIDE MAFIA, Tus Brothers, Felip, Zae, Hellmerry, PLAYERTWO, Illest Morena, and Hev Abi, they are the future of Filipino hip-hop.

As we close in on a month since unveiling one of the most ambitious crossovers in Filipino hip-hop today, we’re bringing you behind the scenes of the making of the Pinoy Hip-Hop Class Of 2024.

It all started on one early weekday morning. The team had just arrived, ready to face what would eventually be a 12-hour-or-so shoot day and alongside them, the eight acts slowly started trickling in one at a time. Class was officially in session.

The first stop of the day was the glam room, lined with everyone’s matching varsity jackets and outfits. One by one, everyone took their turns getting ready for their “yearbook” picture. Like a typical classroom, the studio was the site of so many things happening all at once. You had Illest Morena getting her makeup done, Hev Abi scrolling on his phone in one corner, the O Side Mafia boys doodling on their photos (yes, the art you see on the cover were done by the artists themselves), Playertwo and Felip chatting in the pantry, the Tus Brothers doing their interview, and Hellmerry lining up for his photo, and Zae posing in the hallway.

It was a lot to take in, but the energy was undoubtedly electric. While everyone knew of the tiring schedule that lied ahead, there was excitement in the air.

As we reached the afternoon, it was time for one of the most important parts of the day — their class picture. Up until this point, most of the artists kept to themselves, taking their individual photos. This was the first time they’d all be in the same room and we’ll be honest, there was no denying the gravity of what was happening in front of us. 8 of the most imaginative and revolutionary minds in the hip-hop scene stood before us and all we could think about was how we couldn’t wait for this cover to be seen by the world.

Everyone was laughing and bonding with each other as classic hip-hop tunes reverberated throughout the studio walls. Throughout the day, various displays of friendship, both old and new, could also be observed by the Billboard Philippines team. From frequent collaborators Felip and PLAYERTWO constantly being playful with each other to Illest Morena and Zae practically becoming the best of friends by the end of the day, there was absolutely no shortage of camaraderie emanating from these hip-hop all-stars.