Gloc-9

Hailing from the Philippines, Gloc-9 emerged as a pioneer within the local hip-hop landscape. Aristotle Pollisco was born in Binangonan, a port town situated in Rizal province, and first gained traction in the underground circuit as part of the gangsta rap outfit Death Threat. Adopting the alias Gloc-9, he issued multiple projects alongside the crew, among them the 1997 quadruple-platinum effort Kings of da Underground. He left the group in 1999 and four years afterward unveiled his solo debut, the self-titled Gloc-9 on Star Music. The record highlighted his characteristic rapid, panting delivery and included guest spots from Hannah Romawac, Cookie Chua, and Dong Abay. His second album, Ako Si..., surfaced in 2005 and revealed a smoother R&B sensibility supporting the verses. Following the 2006 EP Limang Kanta Lang came Diploma, whose tracks “The Task Is Done” and “Torpedo” introduced nu-metal-tinged tension. Matrikula (2009) and Talumpati (2011) expanded his mainstream reach through sustained fusions of pop and rock textures paired with increasingly refined production. MKNM: Mga Kwento Ng Makata appeared in 2012; the set enlisted a dozen featured artists, among them Jay Durias and Billy Crawford, and secured gold status. Mounting acclaim then drove his next release, 2013’s Liham at Lihim, to platinum certification. His fourth project in four straight years, the live album Biyahe Ng Pangarap, drew its repertoire from the three preceding records and assembled stage guests such as Marc Abaya, Chito Miranda, Rico Blanco, Ryan Cayabyab, and Tippy Dos Santos. In 2016 Pollisco released his eighth full-length, Sukli.