DJing as a Filipino Thing

Andrea Montano
ASA 4
April 11, 2017

Before I read this article, I had no idea that DJing was a common practice among Filipinos(as) and the Filipino youth in the United States. I never knew any Filipino artists, or DJ, until I read this article and found that Q-Bert was recognized as one of the best DJs. From the readings, the article draws attention to Filipinos(as) practicing hip-hop and DJing when its origin and use is more often with the African American community in the US. I personally thought hip-hop and DJing to be a universal practice where anyone can participitate, but I understand that the history of its origin should also be respected. In the article, many of the interviewees acknowledged the origin of hip-hop, but they also explain how it has become apart of Filipino culture due to many of them growing up with it.  As a Filipino-American, I understand the sense of loss towards my identity, so I agree with the Filipinos(as) in the article explaining how hip-hop and DJing is their way of finding that sense of belonging. I only find it ironic in that although Q-Bert's actions leaned more towards pushing back his identity when being a DJ, many Filipinos look up to him as a Filipino DJ; not a DJ who just happens to be Filipino.

I related to Q-Bert's comment in that race had nothing to inhibit his ability DJ and make music. I grew up with several of my classmates joking that I was only good at piano because I was Asian when in reality, I never felt that my identity as an Filipino Asian-American had anything to do with my ability to learn and play music to the best of my ability. I feel like Q-Bert where I am not a Filipino musician; I just happen to be a musician who is also Filipina. I think everyone has the right to feel proud for who they are, but I also think they have the right to differentiate their identities if the believe the identities do not influence each other.