Gloc-9 launches newest album "Sukli" under Star Music pic.twitter.com/i8EcjcLsKb

— Reyma Buan-Deveza (@reymadeveza) June 21, 2016

MANILA - You will never see him joining a speed rap battle.

Although he is considered as one of the country's top music icons, Gloc-9 admitted that there's one thing he can't do.

In a press conference on Tuesday at the grand launch of his new album "Sukli" under Star Music, Gloc-9 said he can't do impromptu or freestyle rap.

"Hindi po yata ako nabiyayaan ng ganoon. Ako po ay mahina sa basahan. Mahina na nga akong bumasa, lalong mahirap akong mag-come up ng (biglaan)," Gloc-9 said.

"Ako po talaga ay, kung mayroon man akong song or kinakanta, siguro ay pinakinggan ko 'yan ng 100 beses at inaral ko 'yan ng 200 beses. Ibang gift po 'yon 'yung freestyle," he said.

But what sets him apart from other rappers is that Gloc-9 has his own "signature tune," which he attributed to his parents.

"Ang mga magulang ko ay mahilig ding makinig ng music. Mahilig silang magpatugtog ng mga Freddie Aguilar, mga compositions ni Mr. C (Ryan Cayabyab), mga Matt Monroe, mga ABBA. Kahit hindi naman ako intentionally nakikinig nung bata pa ako, eh dumikit din sa akin. So, kapag sumusulat po ako ng song, somehow hindi man ganoon kagarbo ay may melody," Gloc-9 said.

He's also known for writing socially conscious and relevant songs like "Upuan," "Sirena" and "Magda."

According to Gloc-9 whenever he is composing a song, he makes sure that he really feels it.

"Minsan kasi hindi naiisip ng tao na ako ay kabilang din sa binibilang sa bansa kapag nag-iikot ang Census, na ako ay isang tao din. Never kong inihiwalay ang sarili ko. Nung isinulat ko ang 'Upuan' or isinulat ko ang kantang 'Dapat Tama,' hindi ko inihiwalay ang sarili ko na kasama ako doon sa nakikinig na dapat ay tama. Kaya ako ay nagsulat ng song na ang title ay 'Payag,' kasi may line diyan na 'minsan ay parang kasalanan ko, dahil pumapayag ako,'" he said.

The song "Payag" is one of the tracks in "Sukli," which also marks his return to Star Music.

Also included in the album are collaborations with KZ Tandingan ("Industriya"), Mayonaisse frontman Monty Macalino ("Sagwan") and Ebe Dancel ("Ang Probinsyano" for the hit primetime series of the same name).

The album carrier single "Hoy!" talks about the Filipino spirit and resilience despite trying times.