PH Rapper EZ Mil Apologized but Will Not Change Lyrics on “Panalo”

Feb 23, 2021 | GOV, NEWS, Philippines, POP

Filipino-American rapper EZ Mil’s video on Wish Bus recently became viral as it racked up over 40 million views. However, his newfound fame also came with backlash. Lapu Lapu city mayor even wants to ban him from the city.

When EZ Mil released his song Panalo (Trap Cariñosa) last year as a part of his album Act 1, it didn’t get the traction it deserved. Surprisingly, the Philippines-born musician only became a viral sensation overnight after he performed the song on the WISH USA Bus. 

About EZ Mil

The Las Vegas-based rapper has captivated the attention of millions of Filipinos, with most comparing him to legendary local rapper Francis Magalona. EZ Mil was born in 1998 in Olongapo City, and he even paid homage to the city’s postal code “2200” in his song. His father, Paul Sapiera, was the lead singer of a 1990s band “Rockstar” who popularized songs like “Parting Time,” and “Ikaw Pa Rin.” 

The song isn’t just riddled with patriotic lyrics, but also the Bandurria track used in the “Cariñosa” traditional folk dance. According to the rapper, it was his mother that suggested the use of the music that originated during the Spanish rule.

“It has nostalgic memories to me in high school when I would dance it. My teacher back then would actually praise me because I got the steps right,” shared the rapper. In the Philippines, it was customary for elementary and high school students to perform folk songs during school events.  

Within days after it was uploaded, the video racked up 20 million views, and that number has gone up to more than 40 million today. 

“It’s an honor to be put in the same league as such heavy names. But I’d like to think I’m doing something different. I don’t want to stick to one thing,” said the young rapper about being compared to musicians like Francis M. and Gloc 9. He mentions ASAP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, and Eminem as the people that influenced his music. 

Dissecting Why the Song Became Viral

Listening to the music blasted from jeepneys, larger than life mall speakers, and even political jingles will make you realize that much of the Philippines still treats rap and hip hop as a niche genre. Considering this, it’s not surprising that it took a couple of months for “Panalo” to get noticed. But as soon as it started to make its rounds on social media, it cannot be stopped. 

EZ Mil’s song has become an unofficial anthem of today’s time. But what made millions of Filipinos embrace the song? Simple: they needed to feel victorious in a time like this. 

“Panalo” translates to “winner,” and its message and chest-thumping rhythm makes you feel just that. The “Cariñosa” track sample makes the rap song familiar to people even if it was their first time hearing it. Not only that, he seamlessly switches between English, Tagalog, and Ilocano. Being one of the most spoken languages in the country, Ilocano songs still do not get much radio airplay. Having a dialect like Ilocano in a mainstream song is the perfect recipe to make locals feel proud of their heritage. This is the exact thing that happened when Karencitta dropped her Visayan song “Cebuana” in 2017.  

EZ Mil also presents a unique dilemma in his song – being a mestizo or “tisoy,’ which refers to people who have foreign blood. In a country where having pale skin is praised by most, the rapper shares that he was actually teased by other kids because of his fair complexion. Because of this, he felt as if fellow Filipinos did not see him as like everyone else.  

Dissecting Why the Song Became Viral

Listening to the music blasted from jeepneys, larger than life mall speakers, and even political jingles will make you realize that much of the Philippines still treats rap and hip hop as a niche genre. Considering this, it’s not surprising that it took a couple of months for “Panalo” to get noticed. But as soon as it started to make its rounds on social media, it cannot be stopped. 

EZ Mil’s song has become an unofficial anthem of today’s time. But what made millions of Filipinos embrace the song? Simple: they needed to feel victorious in a time like this. 

“Panalo” translates to “winner,” and its message and chest-thumping rhythm makes you feel just that. The “Cariñosa” track sample makes the rap song familiar to people even if it was their first time hearing it. Not only that, he seamlessly switches between English, Tagalog, and Ilocano. Being one of the most spoken languages in the country, Ilocano songs still do not get much radio airplay. Having a dialect like Ilocano in a mainstream song is the perfect recipe to make locals feel proud of their heritage. This is the exact thing that happened when Karencitta dropped her Visayan song “Cebuana” in 2017.  

EZ Mil also presents a unique dilemma in his song – being a mestizo or “tisoy,’ which refers to people who have foreign blood. In a country where having pale skin is praised by most, the rapper shares that he was actually teased by other kids because of his fair complexion. Because of this, he felt as if fellow Filipinos did not see him as like everyone else. 

EZ Mil also discussed history, albeit in an untruthful poetic way. In verse, he talks about how national hero Lapu Lapu was beheaded in 1521, which was untrue because he emerged victorious in battle. This prompted Lapu Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan to feel insulted. 

“As father of this city, I was hurt with his lyrics. If he doesn’t recognize Datu Lapu-Lapu as a hero, then he shouldn’t have included him in his song which may cause outrage to our Oponganon,” said the mayor, who also prompted the city to declare EZ Mil as persona non grata. This will ban him from entering the city. The rapper has apologized for the line but insists that he won’t be changing the verse.  

“Because in terms of the rhyming pattern, I always go to this dilemma or doubt in my head in terms of when I’m closing out a song. Am I gonna close it out with absolute truth or am I gonna make people talk about it? That’s like me weighing the options,” he explained, stressing he knows that Lapu-Lapu was never beheaded. “That’s me putting an exaggerated term in a ploy to drive traffic and talk,” he explained.   

Despite the negative talks about the song, one thing remains true – the young rapper remains proud to be Filipino and will continue making songs that will make his countrymen want to raise their flag.