The Uprising Cinematic Universe
UPRISING has released a string of music videos from 2019 to 2021 directed by Mong Feliciano. Apparently, these music videos contain interconnected storylines which may have yet to be realized by other viewers. In this article, join me in interpreting and deciphering the Uprising Cinematic Universe in order!
1. Kemikal Ali x Arbie Won - Panalo Bigayan feat. Klutch B (2019)
Shot in Pulp Fiction-esque fashion, “Panalo Bigayan” follows the story of a drug dealer who does various transactions with his clients. The music video starts with Kemikal Ali and Klutch B looking inside a briefcase whose content remains unknown, while interspersed with the drug dealer’s daily transactions with his clients. We later see Kemikal Ali and Klutch B spitting their rhymes towards the drug dealer.
2. Teknika Brutal - Maling Akala (2021)
Set in the gritty streets, we follow a character whose paranoia seems to be heightened because of his drug-infused lifestyle. We see scenes of the character getting worked up to defend himself from various elements that he fears, while matching the unsettling lyrics of the song. At the end, we see the character opening his door. It is later revealed to be the drug dealer from “Panalo Bigayan”.
3. Tatz Maven - Galit (2020)
In this music video, we later learn that the drug dealer duped the character from “Maling Akala” and a chase ensues between the two. Accompanied by the song’s hair-raising lyrics, we see how the drug dealer copes with the nature of his hustle. His whereabouts are later found by the people he duped, and he gets beaten up pretty bad.
4. Kemikal Ali x Arbie Won - Eskoba (2020)
After the drug dealer gets beaten up in “Galit”, we are given a glimpse of his life before he got into the drug business. We learn that his former profession was a delivery rider, and we are shown unfortunate events in his life that led him to deal drugs. The scenes are intertwined with Kemikal Ali rapping while other Uprising artists drink it out in the background. The music video ends with the drug dealer sleeping peacefully after getting drunk. Just like how the chorus goes in the song: “alak pa!” (more alcohol).
5. Illustrado - Di Na Iinom (2020)
The music video of “Di Na Iinom” caps off the storyline. The music video continues the same setting of “Eskoba”. Members of the rap group Illustrado rap about the bad situations you could get yourself into while drinking while the Uprising artists drink and converse in the background. As the music video progresses, we learn that the drug dealer has joined the drinking session.
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The continuity of the said music videos gives a narrative that is creatively and meticulously done with depth but is simple to follow by the viewers. We hope to see more music videos from UPRISING that explores this kind of narrative concept! Shout outs to Surfbirds Production for the quality product!
The music videos are available to watch on UPRISING’s YouTube channel. The albums are available to stream thru Spotify and other streaming platforms. Till the next time! Peace out.