From A Fan's Perspective
From A Fan’s Perspective: FlipTop Mindfields Experience
How was the last Mindfields event? A FlipTop fan shares their thoughts.
Anonymous Battle Fan
November 21, 2023
NOTE: Photos below are taken by Jayb Paule
Last Friday, FlipTop held the Mindfields event at 88Fryer in Quezon City. I was very excited because it was the return of Mindfields in Metro Manila. The last one took place four years ago in Ortigas. I was there as well and it introduced me to amazing rap groups such as OWFUCK, Tres Diablos, and Scavengers (now known as Premium Trash). That’s the beauty of this type of event. I started out strictly as a battle rap fan, but Mindfields exposed me to other fascinating elements of the culture. Indeed, it turned me into a legit hip hop head. So how was the recent affair? Let’s talk about it!
I brought two of my friends, both of whom are also FlipTop fans but more on the battles. I was hoping to get them to appreciate the music too. We arrived at around 10 PM and we were nervous because we thought we would be late but luckily, the program had just begun. DJ Supreme Fist started the night by playing his mix of hip hop songs, a combination of old and new. It was the best way to start things off. Anygma then did his usual introduction, explaining the flow of the event and its history, and immediately proceeded to the performances. I wasn’t familiar with Kensa and 1109 but I was definitely blown away by their songs. Kensa has that leftfield style mixed with some thought-provoking socio-political commentary while 1109 brought the streets to the stage, hyping up the crowd with their catchy rhymes and strong presence.
I have always been a big fan of KJah in FlipTop, despite having only four battles, so it was nice to see him on stage again. He performed songs from his latest album “Nakasalalay Sa Letra” and his lyricism remains powerful as always, just like his matches in the league. You could feel the emotion in every bar and his flow would automatically make you nod your head. Apoc also gave us a preview of his upcoming LP and I can’t wait to hear the rest of it. He talked about various topics, from work life to being different, all while showcasing his impeccable rhyme schemes and delivery. I only know K-Ram for his battle rap career so his set certainly surprised me. Yes, he can spit bars, but he’s also a great singer. His tracks are a perfect mix of rapping and singing, and I’m looking forward to hearing more.
I’ve heard Pistolero’s music and I’m a fan of it but I haven’t seen him live yet. His performance at Mindfields was proof that he’s an all-around emcee. He was able to move the crowd with his flawless stage presence and of course, his relatable songs. There was also a special appearance by OG Sacred in his set, which the crowd, including us, enjoyed. The night ended with an exciting open mic cypher with tons of emcees showcasing their skills.
As for my two friends, I’m not sure if they instantly became hip hop heads, but they undoubtedly appreciated the music. They will join me again at the next event! I highly recommend going to Mindfields because aside from meeting your FlipTop faves, you will also get an up-close look at our local hip hop scene. In the end, you will have a deeper respect for our homegrown artists. Thank you very much, FlipTop, for this unforgettable evening.
