Rekta sa Kalye featuring 30 artists finally pushing through
THE second Rekta sa Kalye for the Black Summer Festival disappointingly didn’t happen in November last year despite the hard work of its organizers. Originally, it was supposed to be mounted in November 2023.
“We didn’t plan the festival well,” admitted engineer Grace Cristobal, one of the producers of the festival. “When you don’t plan an event, there are things that can happen unexpectedly and we are also expecting some things to happen as planned.”
The Black Summer Festival was from breakout entertainment company, Black Entertainment Production, Inc., in cooperation with Rekta sa Kalye, which mounted its first event last year.
The music event is undoubtedly much-awaited to showcase the talents of budding underground artists, especially when it comes to those whom you see on the streets. Rappers and hip-hop artists will also take centerstage.
“We are also giving opportunities to new artists who want to go mainstream in the music industry,” engineer Grace added. “We aim to present as many talents as we can who get their chance to showcase their abilities out in the streets.”
Rekta sa Kalye, which started in the bustling streets of EDSA in 2017, was conceptualized by Drop Out, according to the music festival’s chief operating officer (CEO), director Mong Feliciano.
“Our vision remains, to give opportunities to new talents and give a platform to new talents,” Mong disclosed. “That was what we’ve been doing for the last six years. Today, we were blessed to work with Black Entertainment.
“Our show faced problems last year, that was why it didn’t push through. But Black Entertainment became our resolution because it’s aligned with their vision. That was how it started.
“We are looking at the same route. Right now, it came to a point where the event will really happen on April 13 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) concert grounds. This music festival will be a sun-soaked celebration of local Filipino music and culture.”
Rekta sa Kalye was previously an underground movement that was turned into a music festival. “It became so diverse with the people the festival helped in the past,” added Mong. “With the vibration that we did before, it came back to us. It also helped us.”
As many of the festivals which had a tendency to be rescheduled, that was what happened last November with Rekta sa Kalye. “Unfortunately, we were one of those,” Mong lamented. “That was a nightmare for us. We were not different and we realized, that could really happen to us.
“Of course, that was negative to us and all those who were supporting Rekta sa Kalye. If ever that pushed through, I believe we would have encountered more problems.
“That was our turn to get into a really tough trial. We learned to talk more seriously with the people we deal with and work with. I sincerely apologized as the CEO of Rekta sa Kalye. Our main intention was really to mount it successfully.
“It’s not always about the money. We can get the money somewhere else. This has long been our dream. And right now, with everybody helping us, thank you so much for being with us today. That was such a big help to us.”
They talked to each other last December 23, 2023. “While other people were busy preparing for Christmas, we were still talking to each other and we were still doing our negotiations.
“We need to solve this for the people following Rekta sa Kalye. The people deserve this. That was what I’ve been telling Dropout and our team. I want us to come out of the venue smiling and proud. Our talents are so good.”
Today, however, Mong is brave enough to face everybody and announce that Rekta sa Kalye is officially pushing through this April.
The concert will feature Billboard chart toppers O Side Mafia, presently on the number one spot on Billboard Philippines’ top songs charts with their hit song, Get Low, for five weeks.
Renowned FlipTop rappers Smugglaz and Basilio are also on board as part of Black Summer Festival on April 13.
Aside from hip-hop and OPM (Original Pilipino Music) artists this year, rock bands and P-pop are also in the present line-up of the concert.
The festival’s line-up includes Rico Blanco, Sandwich, Franco, December Avenue, Al James, Flow G, Omar Baliw, Allison Shore, Nobita, Kiyo, Gins and Melodies, Crazy as Pinoy, Carm, 6ense, Blvck Flowers, Blvck Purple and Yara will perform.
