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| Joe Bataan: A legend in Latinsoul |
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In the late 1970’s, Bataan made a big splash when he recorded “Rap-O Clap-O.” Not very popular in the US, it was much more appreciated in Europe where the song went top 10 and accredited as the first rap song to make it big in the country.
By the 1980’s, Bataan took time off to raise his family. He worked as a counselor and spoke to kids about his experience in the music industry.
In 1995, he resurrected his music career.
But it wasn’t until 2001, when he performed in front of a large Filipino crowd for the first time, said Emano.
“I remember I saw him perform in New York in the late 1990’s and I was one of less than a handful of Filipinos in the crowd,” recalls Emano. “When I found out that Joe was Filipino I had to bring him to FPAC.”
Bataan said he never hid where he came from. Many people in the music industry knew about the “Afro-Filipino” singing Latin soul in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Bataan said that playing in front of a large crowd of Filipinos is especially gratifying in a more personal reason.
“My father would have been proud,” said Bataan. “My father was Filipino (from Manila) and I remember all the Filipinos would come to my house, [and] talk Tagalog. I didn’t understand it and my mother was Black. My father gave me information about the Philippines. He always wanted to go back home. He never got a chance to so I want to do that for him.”
He said performing in front of a large Filipino crowd gives him “a sense of belonging.”
“It’s like you’re really coming home and it’s something that I missed out on for a great part of my life,” he said. “It’s like I’ve been in the wilderness for so long. Growing up, I wasn’t totally accepted by the Latino population, I mean they supported me, but as far as being an integral part of that culture I wasn’t. I grew up around them; most of my friends are Latino. Then the Black situation, I was never considered totally black.
“I know I’m never going to be considered totally Filipino but I am,” he added. “I may look different but I got Filipino blood in me and you’re not going to change that.”
In a way, he said, it’s ironic that Filipinos are now embracing his career.
“It must be for a reason God has something in store for me,” he said. (www.asianjournal.com)
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