Guddhist
MANILA -- One of the most streamed hip-hop artists today is Genesis Lago or popularly known as Guddhist, the man behind hit songs “Pajama Party,” “Di Na Babalik,” and “Gudds.” He recently released his new song titled “Sana Lahat Gumaan.”
In a recent interview in Rizal, Guddhist shared about the very dark place he was in and how that impacted his life. The rapper admitted he became addicted to alcohol and marijuana.
“My lowest point was ‘yung buhay ko po ay iniasa ko na lang sa illegal. Hindi ko nakita na puwede pala akong mag-rap dati. Hindi ko nakita na puwede pa pala akong maghanap ng purpose sa life ko. Hindi ko nakita lahat ‘yun. Parang settled na ako na hanggang illegal (doing illegal things) na lang ako," he admitted.
“Nagbibisyo ako, nag-iinom, nasubukan ding humawak ng marijuana,” he continued. “Doon na ako nagkaroon ng problema (nung magsimulang gumamit at magbenta ng marijuana).
“Nag-start ako mag-'smoke,' 15 years old ako. Siyempre, bata (that time), mapusok, nagustuhan.
Life in rehab
“Nahuli ako. Instead po kasi na makulong ako, motion for rehab na lang. Nahuli ako ng PDEA. Kaya ako nahuli kasi nagbebenta rin po ako noon; 18 years old ako nung pumasok sa rehab.”
Spending nine months in rehab, the hip-hop artist recalled his experience: “Na-enjoy ko ang rehab kasi ‘yun naman ang kailangan mong gawin, e. Kasi kapag ang iisipin mo [agad] e ‘yung paglabas, mawawala [‘yung focus mo]. Nagkaroon ako ng function sa loob ng rehab. Ako ‘yung parang naging head ng 'dorm' namin sa rehab. Ako ‘yung nagma-manage nung mga pumupuntang 'dalaw' (bisita), sa akin napupunta ‘yung paperworks so naging busy ako sa loob ng rehab.”
After reassessing his life, Guddhist, who is under Believe Music, made a decision that those dark times were over and it was time to find his purpose.
“It was my friend who introduced me to nature. Sabi niya, ‘Tara, mag-nature tayo, marami tayong kaibigan sa Montalban, Rizal.’ Para siyang campsite tapos sa loob pala nun mayroong mga monk na dumadalaw. Nung pumunta ako roon, na-enjoy ko ang life, mayroong kapayapaan. Bumalik-balik ako.”
His advice to Gen Zs and millennials who are struggling now: “Magtiwala lang sila sa mga taong nasa paligid nila. Makakahanap tayo ng mga kaibigan na matutulungan tayo. Iba pa rin na kasama mo ‘yung mga taong nakakakilala sa iyo at huwag mong ilalayo ‘yung sarili mo sa kanila.”
Defining his music
The 24-year old artist said he wants to inspire the young generation through his songs, and collaborate with Gloc-9, describing his music as “conscious rap.”
“Ang music ko before, nagpro-promote ako ng illegal substances, tungkol sa frustrations ko sa life, mga kalungkutan na nararamdaman ko," he said.
“Ang music ko ngayon, more on kapayapaan at pag-appreciate sa life. ‘Yung mensahe na gusto kong sabihin sa sarili ko para lumakas ang loob ko, sinasabi ko through my songs now,” he ended.