Ayoko Ng Ganitong Life… / Ayoko Ng Ganitong Life...

The biggest hit in late 2001 to mid-2002 in the Philippines was "S2pid Luv" from the 2001 album Ayoko ng Ganitong Life (I Don't Like This Kind of Life), performed by local rap group Salbakuta, comprising three members. The song's concept, unlikely as it may seem, is based upon Barbra Streisand's "Evergreen." A keyboard slowly sounds the "Evergreen" melody as Salbakuta raps about an all-consuming but misguided and "stupid" love for a girl, only to be treated like dirt. A Salbakuta member then sings the "Evergreen" chorus, and at strategic pauses the other members shout "stupid!" This song might seem weird, but in the Philippines these songs have a good chance of selling.

So do sexually explicit songs, as Salbakuta exhibits elsewhere, including "White Lady" and "Kiss and Tell." On the latter, much of the rap discusses the various positions a guy and his girlfriend used during sex. While this song might not receive radio airplay, it is still very much available on the album, and this album sold in large numbers, with children comprising a large portion of these numbers. This is an unfortunate turn of events, as there is no need to expose children to this type of material. It is too bad that many Philippine rappers often resort to obscenity to sell albums. Significantly, the producer of the album is veteran rapper Andrew E., who is known for his dirty raps, be they double entendre or explicit. Not all songs are dirty, though. "Out of Town," for example, describes the group's experiences while giving concerts — but even here they tell how a girl's panties become wet because of her excitement for the group. Salbakuta has an energetic, engaging manner of rapping, and the instrumentation, played by session musicians, is excellent. But why can't the group find some other, more worthwhile topics to rap about?