ABKD not only serves as Alamat’s first anniversary single, but it’s also a message of hope that everyone can relate to.
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Ever since they made their official debut in February 14, 2021 with kbye, Alamat has stood out more than just the fact that they’re a P-pop boy group. Since day one, the group has been all about representing different facets of Philippine culture. Coming from all over the country, Taneo, Mo, Jao, Tomas, R-Ji, Valfer, Gami, and Alas, are able to best champion their unique heritage. And more notably, all their songs feature the members sing and rap in their native tongue such as Tagalog, Ilocano, Kapampangan, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Bikolano, and Waray-Waray.
A series of single releases later, Alamat has firmly planted themselves in today’s modern P-pop landscape. This past February 14, the group reached the all-important milestone of their first year anniversary. And as part of this celebration, the P-pop group graced their fans with their first single of the year, ABKD. Not only is it a catchy single, but the track also has themes and messages that anyone who’s going through a tough time will find comfort in.
MAGTIWALA KA SA’YONG SARILI
Produced by frequent Alamat collaborator The Kennel AB, ABKD is a catchy and light hearted pop track with hints of a hip-hop vibe. It is filled with uplifting and mood-bosting verses that implore listeners to not let bad days get them down. As always, the track has each member sing certain parts in their native language. Not only is it accessible, it also makes for a more emotional and compelling response from listeners. It’s an extremely wholesome track as each members lays down the case of why you shouldn’t give up and continue to follow your dreams.
While recognizing the fact that there will be moments where you’ll doubt yourself, it’s important that you shouldn’t lose sight of where you want to go. Its wholesome message is made even clearer when it reaches the chorus, revealing that ABKD is actually an acronym. A is for achieving your dreams, B is breaking all the barriers, K is keeping your stars as your allies, and D is dabbing it with hope.
ABAKADA, AWITIN MO
This confidence-boosting message is also reflected in the track’s music video. No strangers to featuring more serious topics, Alamat has always been intentional with their narratives. For example, in kasmala, they turned their attention to how Filipinos were treated during the American colonial period. In ABKD, the group focuses the lenses towards discrimination against the Aeta community. The video starts with a young Aeta girl looking at a billboard for a skin whitening product. It proclaims that people with whiter skin and features are better people. Alamat then comes in to perform the song while delivering slick dance moves and sporting distinctly Pinoy threads.
The features of the Aeta community, dark skin and curly hair, are often deemed undesirable by certain sectors of society. And in the video, it shows how the young girl is getting beat down by those who deem her ugly. But by the music video’s finale, she, along with other young Aetas, come together to live confidently. To make the message more profound, one shot features the kids holding a sign that crosses out the word Baluga, a derogatory term unfortunately thrown around even to this day, and replaces it with Ayta. In the end, they won’t let society portray them as less than other. And it’s a message many should understand and realize that there is beauty in diversity.
Alamat’s future remains a bright one and it’s nice how they use their songs and music videos to highlight important aspects and issues of Philippine culture. Who knows what else the group has up their sleeve. Maybe we’ll finally get that long-awaited album? Fingers crossed.
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