Client Native Guns
Date 2007
Service Provided PR Management & Booking

Native Guns consists of California-bred, Filipino MCs Kiwi and Bambu who have been doing work together since 2002, with DJ Phatrick joining the group in 2005. Combining their passion for music & word with their love for community, and their commitment to turning the system upside down, Native Guns’ fearless mix of hard-hitting beats, machine-gun lyricism, and unapologetic critical content continues to captivate audiences nationwide. In May 2007, the group disbanded to pursue solo careers.

www.myspace.com/nativeguns
www.djphatrick.com
www.kiwizzo.wordpress.com
www.bambu.la

Click here to view the embedded video.

This past Sunday was a huge celebration in the entertainment industry as the Grammy’s recognized artists from around the world.  For Director Patricio Ginelsa, this past Sunday’s celebration also marks his directorial television debut to a nationwide audience of millions!

“Love (Cupid Style)” PREMIERE PARTY, 10:57pm, 2/8/09 from Kid Heroes on Vimeo.

Check out the music video for the song “Love” by Greyboy Featuring Nino Moschella, which Patricio directed for a Lincoln Automobiles commercial.  The storyline concept brings a “Men In Black” approach to the fairytale idea of Cupid.  I can see this as a blockbuster film in the making…i’m jus sayin!  Another great element to this project is that Bambu plays the lead role of Cupid!!

http://tinyurl.com/baeobe

Check out the Behind the scenes segment below, to get the full concept of the storyline, and how this project came together.

If you missed Bambu’s acting debut last year, check out the short film “Being Reel”, also directed by Patricio Ginelsa.

www.kidheroes.net/love

ps. It definitely feels like Cupid has touched down in the Bay, spread love ya’ll!

I’m sure Bambu never thought he would end up getting screen time during the Grammy’s…

Patricio Ginelsa (Kid Heroes Productions) is the WINNING Director for a music video entry “Love (Cupid Style)”.  The video will premiere THIS SUNDAY NIGHT as a 30 second commercial during the CBS broadcast of the GRAMMY AWARDS. I don’t know exactly WHEN the commercial will air but the telecast begins 8pm Eastern and Pacific Time this Sunday, February 8.

The commercial will then prompt viewers to visit a CBS website to watch
the ONLINE PREMIERE of the FULL COMPLETE 5 MINUTE VERSION
of the MUSIC VIDEO.

The video is one of FIVE winners, all part of a huge national ad campaign
called “PROJECT RISING STARS”. Lincoln, Y&R Team Detroit, and
Filmaka, a global creative community, are helping up-and-coming
filmmakers realize their dreams with this Lincoln Music Video Challenge.
More than 300 submissions were received, with 14 Semi-Finalists. Each
video will include a song from an emerging artist, and will highlight the
2009 Lincoln MKS luxury sedan.

The video features the song “LOVE” by Greyboy (featuring Nino Moschella).
I have to admit it was the most grueling shoot I’ve ever completed, but
also the most exhilarating. Did I mention it also features rap artist Bambu
as a lead Cupid angel?

SPREAD THE WORD AND WATCH THIS EXCLUSIVE VIDEO NOW!
Help us spread the word and get all your friends and family members
to watch or record THE GRAMMY AWARDS on CBS this SUNDAY.
Until the official CBS link is announced, visit http://www.kidheroes.net/love
for all the central updates, links, photos, and more info!

As an added treat, here’s your EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK at our
winning video! LUMPIA MAILING Subscribers get first dibs at the
MAKING OF “LOVE (CUPID STYLE)” !!!

To watch the video visit
http://www.kidheroes.net/love

THE PASSWORD is: passion (all small letters)
 

I’m calling it now… One day, Director Patricio Ginelsa and (actor) Jonah Deocampo will be nominated for an Oscar.  Hmmm… what will I wear?!

ps. Bambu and DJ Phatrick show in SF tonight at Elbo Room!!

Throwback image for Bambu and Pnoy Apparel promo (2007)

Check out Bambu’s new video from Kid Heroes Productions and Xylophone Films, big shouts to Patricio Ginelsa and AJ Calomay for creating another dope video for the Bambu/Native Guns archives!

Okayplayer announced it first, then it spread all over twitter, all on my lunch break?!

Watch the video here – http://vimeo.com/2542882

www.kidheroes.net
www.vimeo.com/xylophone
www.bambu.la

Once upon a time, when I was 16, I ended up having a small role in a movie my cousin made during the summer of 1996 ( I guess you can say this is where my career in entertainment really started!).  After 7 years the movie Lumpia, was released independently (2003), and toured the United States over the course of several months.  Through college and community organizations, and the passion and vision of Director/Producer Patricio Ginelsa, Lumpia has become a cult classic in Filipino homes across the globe.

To continue feeding Lumpia goodness to those hungry for a story about the struggles of identity that is faced when being Filipino can feel so uncool adjusting to an American lifestyle, Kid Heroes Productions has released a new design, and kid’s sizes, to their merchandise mix of Lumpia movie products.

Lumpia is an entertaining film with a story line that is still relevant today.  Action, comedy, romance, and a lesson in identity, all take place in the mid 90′s when house parties, Starter jackets, and wet & wild lipstick (#508) was the biznazz!  Buy the movie, fry some lumpia (yum!), and enjoy the movie with your folks!

purchase LUMPIA products here

Kid Hereos and Xylophone Films have also recently teamed up with Bambu for the music video “Crooks and Rooks” and “Like Us” off his most recent album …exact change…

Bambu “Crooks & Rooks” Teaser from Xylophone Films on Vimeo.

Bambu “Like Us” from Xylophone Films on Vimeo.

www.kideheroes.net
www.xylophonefilms.com
www.bambu.la

DJ Phatrick leaked a track off the upcoming Zion I album “The Takeover”:

DOWNLOAD: Zion-I – “Rawww” ft. Do D.A.T., Deuce Eclipse, & Bambu

While you marinate on that track and anticipate the album, you should enjoy the mixtape “The Search & The Seizure”

Download the entire mixtape HERE.

www.djphatrick.com
www.zionicrew.com

Many of the artists I have partnered with have a background in working with their respective communities.  Whether it’s through mentoring, educating, performing, organizing, etc., it’s safe to say they would not be where they are now, or have such a bright future if it were not for the community.

Many of you aspiring artists just getting into the game may not know where to start, who to go to for support, advice, opportunities, etc.  I encourage you to look within your city’s organizations, your community outreach programs, find a place you feel comfortable with and go from there.  Be genuine if you are going to be part of a program or organization, this is not advice to capitalize any selfish, egotistical needs you may have.

Tip – Community/Culture specific festival’s are a great place to gain experience performing in front of large crowds, negotiating booking contracts, and promoting yourself to an audience. Most festival’s take place in the summer, so you want to reach out to organizations mid spring for a performance slot, which means you should start researching which ones you’ll hit up for next year, NOW!  (ps. you probably won’t get paid, and you need to stay on top of communication, since many times these events are produced on a volunteer basis.)

One of the organizations in Southern California that has provided a space for Filipino American artists and communitites to gather and celebrate is goin down this weekend at Pt. Fermin Park in San Pedro, CA.  The 17th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC) has become a yearly highlight for the Filipino community in the Los Angeles area, a place for family and friends, and yes… great networking aka community building!

Hella folks from the Bay will be there this weekend, including Kiwi, Nomi (Power Struggle), and Ruby Veridiano-Ching blessing the stage with their energy.  Bambu and DJ Phatrick will also be performing, along with many other prominent artists with special honors like DJ Rhettmatic, DJ Babu, and DJ Kuttin Kandi.  It’s gonna be a good one!

www.filamarts.org

Perhaps it’s just the community (aka network) of artists that i’m around, but I’ve come to find that many artists are talented in a variety of art forms.  Whether they are emcees, Dj’s, producers, graphic designers, actors, etc., these talents intersect allowing them to move fluidly through different forms of expression.

In today’s economy, and the current unstable music business, I think it’s neccessary for artists to utilize their assets in as many ways as they can. One reason being – more ways to get paid! Another reason being – this allows opportunities for you to be creative and capture new audiences.  The third reason – More platforms and networks to educate and build with.

For example – DJ Phatrick is a fresh DJ, but he also works with Zion I as their road manager and label assistant.  Adriel Luis is an amazing spoken word poet, but he is also the creative genius to many Bay Area artists graphic design and branding (too many to mention, but check the iLL-homies section on www.ill-literacy.com, and guess who Adriel has worked with).  Dahlak Brathwaite is also a spoken word poet, but he is an iLL emcee, and actor as well.  I can keep going, you get the picture… (they’re also business savvy, and are self-managed – which is a “talent” that should also get honorable mention).

My point being – Don’t limit yourself to one art form.  “Express yourself…”, it can only benefit our communities.

Bambu has his successfull acting debut in director (and my cousin!), Patricio Ginelsa’s (Kid Heroes Productions) LA Film Festival “Canon 72 Hour Bring IT Film Competition” !!

Check the flick below… ( I think we should expect more from Bambu on the silver screen in the future… i’m just sayin.)

Being Reel – Patricio Ginelsa from fatfreefilm on Vimeo.

Congratulations to everyone who was part of the film!! and for WINNING THE COMPETITION!!

(this is why I do what I do… love you guys!)

Bambu and DJ Phatrick were on Hard Knock Radio with Weyland Southon yesterday. The interview is a semi repeat from a few months back, but now you can hear it in it’s entirety.

On the real… this is probably one of the best interview’s with Bambu i’ve heard yet. I’m not going to say anything more than – it will definitely be an educational experience, (Props to Weyland for the documentation).

LISTEN HERE

**insider tip – Bambu talks about his role in the new Indiana Jones movie! Bambu has more tricks up his sleeve than the average emcee, can you spot him in this pic?

(Which is a great segway into how) – I recently purchased a book titled “Filipino’s in Hollywood” by Carina Monica Montoya. Although I heard from a credible scource that some of the facts could’ve been double checked, amongst other critiques, this is definitely a step in the right direction to record how Filipino’s have contributed to the history of film and entertainment.

I’m looking forward to a similar book about “Filipino’s in Hip Hop…”

who wants to contribute??! Holler – papalodown@gmail.com

some background research to get you started:

Filipino DJ’s (Why Are they So Successfull?) – Davey D – October 1995

Filipino’s And Hip Hop Culture – Davey D – Thursday, June 12, 1997

*(looks like Geo has a few tricks up his sleeve too)
IT’S LIKE THAT: Asian Pacific Americans and the Seattle Hip-Hop Scene – Saturday, July 5, 2003

Wikipedia – Filipino Hip Hop

There’s so much more information on this topic… I’m sure if you look within your own communities you will realize how influential Filipino’s are to Hip Hop, and how much Hip Hop has influenced the Filipino American culture.

LISTEN TO HARD KNOCK RADIO

Growing up I didn’t listen to N.W.A. I was a lil (Filipino/Spanish) girl growing up in the suburbs with a pretty sheltered life, I had no reason to “Fuck the Police!”, at the time. I do realize however the importance of N.W.A’s influence on an entire generation, how they effected the thought process of Hip Hop as a whole, and sparked a revolution for change. So although I didn’t experience the energy that surrounded N.W.A the first time around, I’d like to believe I’ve been blessed with a greater opportunity – enter NATIVE GUNS…

Native Guns opened my ears, my eyes, and my heart to issues in parts of the world that I looked at from a distance, when in reality these are issues that effect(ed) my, past, present, and future in more ways than one. As a woman, they have reinforced my beliefs in demanding respect, and expecting nothing less, from the men that cross my path, and as a Filipina they have sparked my interest in learning about my culture’s history. I’m not sure if N.W.A would’ve had the same effect on me had I listened to their music growing up… and perhaps some Hip Hop historians out there will argue the comparison. But for me, their music has been the soundtrack for change, for purpose, for action…

I wanted to commemorate the Native Guns today, May 9, 2008, because the work they did together continues to resonate a year after they announced the decision to pursue solo careers. Through my own career and personal life – Kiwi, Bambu, and DJ Phatrick – have contributed to shaping me into a business woman, allowing me to be creative, take chances and supporting my visions. They have listened to my gripes on love and life, always with respect, and more importantly they challenge me to grow!

I may not be in the front lines at rallies or affiliated with any political organizations, but I definitely was and will be on the front lines fighting for their music to be heard. It has been inspiring to see the community put together their time, resources, energy, and love to push Native Guns forward. For those of you who have worked with them or know them personally, especially the fans, I hope you realize that their success was partly made possible by each of you contributing to the movement…

…never under estimate the power of what a community can accomplish together.

PROMO FOR BARREL MEN ALBUM

MUSIC VIDEO – “CHAMPION”

MUSIC VIDEO – “DROWNING”