Featured Acoustic Playlist 09' Recap: We Blessed - We Asian!

"From the top of my head - creative recreations. Look at us, we're blessed - we Asian!" - TimothyDeLaGhetto (aka Traphik, rapping with Chris Cendana)

Ten years ago, not many of us would have been able to imagine a day when we'd all be confidently proclaiming to the American world that we're 'blessed and proud to be Asian.' At the time, if anything, many of us were merely trying to fit in to American culture as best we could. We weren't looking for greatness or fame, we were having a hard enough time just trying get away from all those demeaning and embarrassing stereotypes of Kung-Fu Masters, Nerd Mathematicians, or even Kung-Fu Mathematicians that would  continually be attached to our larger minority onclave. If someone had told any of us ten years ago that in 2009,  people of all ethnicities from all around the nation would be tuning in to watch US, the Pilipino/Asian community, head a musical event and perform a multitude of different originals and covers, we would all have said, "I don't believe you! BUT I CAN solve your math homework..."

Anyway, fastforward to 2009, and here we are - the Pilipino-Asian community - gathering together to share our love for music, to break down racial stereotypes, but most importantly, to inspire the next generation of Asian youth to follow their dreams in the arts and really cultivate their true passions in life. For so long, we've had to live under the notion placed upon us by our parents that art, singing, and dancing are all just hobbies - nothing more. If anything, FAP 09' showed us all that there is SO MUCH more that the Pilipino-Asian community has to offer than mere hobbies.

This past weekend on July 25th, 2009, I had the privilege of being one of the many attendees of BlogTV's Featured Acoustic Playlist Concert, featuring many of today's most popular YouTube artists (including our very own Dustin aka "Tsud123"). Putting my review of the show into words would do no justice to the overall talent and greatness of the talented greats that displayed their great talent that night in front of a large San Diego crowd - and an even larger internet/YouTube/BlogTv community. In fact, girly squeeling and grown men screaming "AJ, YOU'RE LIKE WATER -  I NEED YOU EVERYDAY!" sum up the concert better in fewer words.

But in all sincerity, to sum it all up quickly, every single act was so unique and equally mind-blowing in each of his/her respective ways. I was in awe at how much communal unity was present in that amphitheatre that night - unity not only in the Pilipino-Asian pride respect, but also in the deep love for music and art that everyone shared together. Overall, it was a very awe-inspiring, feel-good night that shattered expectations, broke down stereotypes, inspired many aspiring musicians, and most importantly, brought all different kinds of people together. 

My personal highlights include:

- "No Diggity" being sung a total of 3 times, by three different artists. They were all unique in their own ways. Made shorty want to get down fuhreal.

- Dustin and Monique's A Goofy Movie cover. I saw 'eye to eye' with the singers and the cover.

- Sam Hart's entire set (Mario Kart Love Song, Cat Song, and Superhero Song). This guy is extremely talented, not only in singing, but in songwriting...and extremely hilarious in his own subtle, dry, awkward kind of way.

- Andrew Garcia and his 50 guest appearances on several different artists' sets. He is one of the best singers I heard all night. American Idol ready material for sure.

- ABDC at FAP; Lydia Paek and Victor Kim's set. And then Victor Kim's 15 second freestyle dancing at the end.

- TimothyDeLaGhetto's impromptu rap with Chris Cendana.

- Passion's heartfelt, and genuine new song, "I Don't Care" to his girlfriend, Claire.

- AJ Rafael's Disney medley - especially the Hercules "I Will Go the Distance" reprisal and his Mulan, variety-voices excellence.

- Gabe Bondoc. He made me love the song "Best I Ever Had", which I previously had deemed the most annoying song ever.

- Angie Girl's stand-up comedy routine the whole night through. She was hella funny.

I pretty much almost covered all the acts, but if you want to check out all of these talented people and the entire rest of the playlist, go find a FAP 09 flyer/ad and youtube all those names you see listed. You won't be disappointed. 

Here's a sampler:

Chris Cendana, Aj Rafael, TimothyDeLaGhetto - No Diggity

Gabe Bondoc is da is da best, is da is da best. He sings You Da Best (Best I Ever Had) 

AJ Rafael is just a girl - a girl who has everything. Disney Medley