Femmes De La Musique Brings The Divine Feminine To Poblacion – Review

Ladies’ night has never been better.

There’s a particular energy that takes over when women take up a majority of the function. A divine feminine, if you will. Even more so when girls gather to dress to the nine’s on a night out, engage in shared getting-ready-together rituals, and take on the Philippine night life in duos, trios, and even flocks. Femmes De La Musique has taken this euphoric feeling to greater heights, curating a night where women could enjoy being themselves in a space made for them to the fullest.

Last February 12, the women of Philippine hip-hop dominated the city that doesn’t sleep – Poblacion, Makati. That night, Apotheka held the first-ever Femmes De La Musique, which comprised of a lineup of some of the nation’s hottest acts in local hip-hop, namely: Zae, Alex Bruce, YARA, DEMI, DENY, Peaceful Gemini, and Ryannah J. The event was the first of its kind, as all artists of the lineup noted they’d always perform alongside men in the past.

Leading up to the infamous Valentine’s Day, the night celebrated the sisterhood and love between women in its most empowering form. The entire dance floor was crowded by friend groups, eager ears, and excited fans.

Fellow femcees made sure to show up for their friends as well, take special guest and “Faded (Raw)” hitmaker Illest Morena for example. Blinging out in full glam to support her sisters in music, she said, “Yung pinaka-exciting na part talaga kapag magkakasama kaming mga female artists is that we can relate to each other, you know? In this male dominated industry, we are the ones who really get each other when it comes to experiences, inspirations, and stuff like that. I just love it kasi the female artists in the industry ngayon are really tight with each other. We really have this kind of camaraderie with each other kasi alam natin na, no matter what happens, ‘yung isa’t isa yung kasama natin sa lahat ng mangyayari.“

(“The most exciting part when female artists are all together is that we can relate to each other, you know? In this male dominated industry, we are the ones who really get each other when it comes to experiences, inspirations, and stuff like that. I just love it because the female artists in the industry right now are really tight with each other. We really have this kind of camaraderie with each other because we know that no matter what happens, we have each other’s backs in everything we go through.”)

Starting off the night was the up-and-coming R&B-esque girl group, YARA, who powered through their set with hits like “Bakit Papa?” and “Eksena.” Prior to their set, the girls caught up with Billboard Philippines, sharing about their excited feelings for the night. The group’s leader, Gelou, explained, “Super nag-evolve na ‘yung music, as well as the women in this generation. Super limitless kasi na rin eh, every woman can do anything.” (“Music has really evolved, as well as the women in this generation. We’re really limitless, every woman can do anything.”)

Taking the energy night down a notch, Peaceful Gemini filled the charged air with her soothing R&B jams and old-school type beat. Adding her mellow touch to the otherwise power-beats combination the other femcees had to offer, bringing a soothing island vibe to the red-hued club. Debuting her most recent single on the checkered floor, “Piece of Gem,” and a recently mixed version of “Mariposa” by LONER, the atmosphere was set — it was a night for the girls.

Taking her own spin on femininity, she shared her excitement in working with fellow female artists, “I love seeing the diversity of the topics we can speak about, and I just love being around feminine energy and embracing the different facets and expressions of femininity kasi iba-iba naman tayo (… because we’re all different). So, I just love that kind of energy and just empowering and uplifting the sisterhood.”

When it was DEMI’s turn to take the stage, the dim lights of Apotheka made the perfect fit to the R&B-extraordinaire’s sultry and soulful set. Getting everyone on the dance floor to jive along to her subdued rhythm, she fired up the atmosphere with her hits, “homebody” and “Pakundangan.” Kicking off the R&B sets for the fellow female artists who followed after her, she said, “Amazing siya kasi nung una kong makinig sa underground [rap], wala pa masyadong girls. And knowing that I’m a part of it now, sobrang exciting siya na satisfying din kasi somehow nasaksihan ko yung bandera for women in this genre.”

(“It’s amazing because when I first listened to underground rap, there weren’t many girls. And knowing that I’m a part of it now, it’s really exciting and satisfying because I’ve witnessed the flag for women in this genre.”)

Even for DENY, the occasion of the night was something not often lived. She explained, “I would say it’s very exciting kasi hindi usually nangyayari ang mga ganito (… stuff like this doesn’t usually happen.) When we do events, especially with hip-hop and R&B, the scene in the Philippines, masyado siyang (it’s too) saturated by men. So, having women in the same lineup in the same event – like all females, it’s really empowering. I would say it’s much more exciting because women just bring it, you know? Women just bring it differently. We’re all just slayers here tonight and I’m excited to see everyone perform.”

As a continually rising star in the local hip-hop scene, Alex Bruce also finds comfort in the company of women in the process of making music. “It’s so very refreshing to be a lady, I love being a woman.” Finding her own identity through the women around her, she said, “First ever dito na puro babae ‘yung nasa (that’s it’s an all-woman) lineup and I’m so glad to be a part of this movement. Simula lang ito (This is just the start); there’s more to come!” she vowed. The energy she brought into her set was almost tectonic, as the young femcee took on the stage with a bursting confidence swept everyone off their feet.

Towards the end of Alex Bruce’ set, Zae joined her in powering up the dancefloor with their empowerment anthem, “A to Z (Drop It).” With the crowd chanting in unison to the backing track, it was as if everyone became a part of the performance in itself, audience included. Having just collaborated with Alex Bruce, as well, Zae also had some thoughts to share on collaboration with fellow female artists, “The energy, kasi nasanay ako sa mga (I got used to) events where the lineup is mostly men! Puro (full of) masculine energy, puro male energy. To have a lot of women around me, it makes me very happy, I’m feeling really giddy and excited right now.”

Overall, the night was not the everyday hip-hop gig in Poblacion. This was the start of a movement, a step towards a greater future for innovation and a more diverse energy in the Philippine music industry. Through their powerful sets and shared sound, these artists showed that a revolution was coming and not stopping for anyone.