During our first interview with Star Records’ artist Gloc-9, we were sure he: 1) was soft-spoken; 2) walked with unassuming gait; 3) slightly hunched over; 4) only answered when spoken to 80 percent of which in Tagalog and; 5) had predilection of looking down or far away.

Verdict: Plain, shy.

Implication: Not star material.

But the initial assessment must be wrong. After all, didn’t he just win as Best Rap Artist of the Year in the recent 1st Philippine Annual Hip Hop Awards? But where’s the arrogance, the attitude; the booming DJ voice and the bling bling? Is this really the guy making institutions as FrancisM and Andrew E think of retirement?

"I know what I have and haven’t yet achieved," he states curtly, flatly when the subject is brought up. "There’s more to accomplish."

All traces of underdog, though, melts away once prompted to action. On record and onstage, Gloc-9 becomes a ticking dynamo; spewing verses in a maniacally high-pitched voice while strangling the microphone to subservience.

And if the wit doesn’t get to you, then, surely, the honesty will —Gloc-9 musically has a knack for tackling stories about himself that, strangely, sound like our own. An example of this is "Tula," the promotional track from his just released sophomore disc "Ako Si…Gloc-9" that talks about his humble beginnings. Or past singles as "Simpleng Tao" and "Hinahanap Nang Puso" that all but trumpet his financial "inadequacies" in scoring pogi points with the girl of his dreams. Sounds familiar? You bet.

Discovered by accident a couple of years ago when a demo he produced was mined from a pile of rejects, Gloc-9’s breakthrough recording was "Isang Araw" that eventually became a track in the soundtrack of "Trip." Star Records was hooked when they first heard it. Gloc-9’s discovery, however, almost didn’t happen.

"Natapon pala nila yung case ng cassette where I wrote my contact number and address. In short, they didn’t know how to get a hold of me. For a time, sinubukan nilang iparecord na lang sa ibang rappers yung song pero walang bagayan. In the end, they had to go to Binangonan, Rizal para ipagtanong-tanong ako sa mga bahay-bahay," Gloc-9 recalled.

The search proved beneficial to both parties.

Later, "Isang Araw" was nominated in MTV Awards’ "Best New Artist" category paving the way for Gloc-9 to get signed up. It then opened opportunities to record singles as "Bakit?" (an entry in the Himig Handog Love Songs songwriting tilt) and ‘Nginig’ (used as theme in the TV series of the same title) that both ended up in his debut album.

Gloc-9’s slow trek to stardom started way before that, though. As a kid, he wanted to become a singer. But though the spirit is willing, the… voice isn’t.

"Maliit daw masyado ang boses ko, matinis (high-pitched)," he says. "But it’s something that I can’t control lalo na pag na-e-excite ako. I’m not the Martin Nievera or Basil Valdez types, that was for sure."

Well-meaning friends, though, noticed that he was accurate in timing and dabbling in rhymes. Encouraged to pursue a career as a rap artist, Gloc-9 turned to FrancisM, his first and possibly biggest musical influence to date.

"Kaya nga hindi ako makapaniwala when he agreed to collaborate with me in ‘Liwanag’ (one of the tracks in his latest album)," Gloc-9 enthused. "Dati, pinapakinggan ko lang siya, hinahangaan. Fan lang ako. Never did I dream na makakatrabaho ko siya at magiging kaibigan pa."

The name Gloc-9 was given to him by Ronald Salanga of Death Threat, a rap group he was part of prior to embarking on a solo career, probably because of the speed and clarity (like a clock) in coming up with and delivering lines.

More than getting the moniker, however, the stint made Gloc-9 realize that there was a market for rap out there however covert.

"Doon ko nakita na pwede pa lang kumita ang rap album kahit walang promotion. In six months time, naggogold ang album namin through word-of-mouth —— kahit na wala namang nilalabas na single! It only shows that rap has infiltrated the Pinoy culture albeit underground," he reveals.

Then again, it’s not as if Gloc-9 is hungry for attention from mainstream audiences. The type who’d tarry in the cafeteria of a TV studio versus lounging in the dressing room while waiting for his turn to perform in variety shows, Gloc-9 accepts where he is in the hierarchy.

"Alam ko naman na hindi ako ang first choice," Gloc-9 tells. "Alam ko na bago pa nila ako maisip, tinanggihan na muna yung production spot nila FrancisM or Andrew E. Pero ok lang; ok lang na maging second choice. I’m not here for the fame, anyway. For me, it’s enough na nare-recognize ng fellow artists ko at ng mga bata ang ginagawa ko."

Besides, it’s not as if Gloc-9 is not used to hardships. As a struggling musician, he willingly did gigs for less than R200. He also had no problems going to a friend’s house to record his demo in a home studio even if it meant "traveling for three hours just to get there with nothing but bus fare on me."

During the day, he worked as kitchen helper who would "sweep the streets of P. Tuazon, clean up cellars and throw out garbage." It was a tough life.{s:r}{s:r}

"Minsan na din akong napaiyak habang nagdadasal. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, all I want is for people to hear me but why isn’t it happening?’ Kaya nga when God opened the door, I couldn’t ask – dare not ask – for more. After all, ibinigay na Niya ang gusto ko. I’m overwhelmed even as it is," Gloc-9 intimates.

This is the reason why he never lets whatever achievements he gets go to his head. For Gloc-9, the pragmatic attitude is best.

"I understand how ungrateful the business can be. My only aim is to stay in the business as long as I can while saving up for the rainy days. This way, kahit wala na ako, at least masasabi ko pa din na ‘Thank You, Lord’ kasi may naitabi na ako," he concludes.

Other tracks in "Ako Si…Gloc-9" are "Slick ‘N Sly," "Love Story Ko," "Get To Know You," "My Number," "Usap Tayo," "Pano Kaya," "Nagiisang Mundo," an all-star version of "Usap Tayo" and a take on VST’s-classic, "Ipagpatawad Mo."