At 20, he has already headlined massive shows here and abroad, spawned hits, and won several Awit Awards. It is no wonder maverick rap artist Shanti Dope – Sean Patrick Ramos in real life – has been chosen as the rap mentor of Kumu, TV5, and Cornerstone Entertainment’s “Top Class: The Rise to P-Pop Stardom.”
The biggest and newest P-Pop reality talent show has welcomed the young blood – heir apparent to Gloc 9 – in a press con last Friday.
“Isa itong makasaysayang parte ng career ko. Underground event lang kami nag gig, kumbaga galing talaga kami sa wala, kaya ma offeran ng gantong opportunity napakalaking bagay,” he said.
Asked what kind of mentor he will be, he humbly said he envisions himself as a “student mentor” because he feels he will learn alongside the contestants. “Ang dami ko rin pong gusto pang matutunan sa music. Minsan humihingi rin ako ng payo sa uncle ko, sa producer ko…. Nag-aaral din ako ng bagong tunog,” he added.
Shanti is known for his mastery of words and he will be mentoring the lucky auditionees who will become the students of the first batch of “Top Class.” Having gotten to closely work with big rap personalities such as DJ Klumcee and rap legend Gloc-9, students can be assured that they will be getting lessons from a certified lyrical master.
The man behind such hits as “Nadarang,” “Mau” “Shantidope,” and “Amatz” – the last was featured in an episode of Marvel’s “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” – shared that he found a renewed passion for songwriting during the pandemic. “Mindset ko po ngayon ay parang nagsisimula pa lang ako para hindi mawala ‘yung gutom ko sa paggawa ng kanta,” he said.
He admitted to suffering from writer’s block, which surprisingly he overcame during the lockdown. “Na-unlock ang creativity ko,” he added. “Dun lumabas ang full potential, kasi nasa bahay lang ako.”
How to teach the aspirants to ignite their passion for songwriting is something that he wants to impart.
“Top Class: The Rise to P-Pop Stardom” is a collaboration of Cignal TV, Kumu, and Cornerstone Entertainment. It is the show’s aim to create the “future of P-pop icons,” said Jeff Vadillo, Cornerstone Entertainment’s vice president.
