Assembly Generals

Social commentary may be their weapon of choice, but Assembly Generals never let their activism get in the way of a good time or great rhyme. Incendiary as a live unit, with a male/female vocal attack that harks back to old-school hip-hop’s power of protest and refusal, the quintet comprises MC Switchtrik, MC Peaceful Gemini, DJ Jigger Divina, Bass Relief on samplers, and ex-Eraserhead beatmaker Marasigan on drums. The Generals were hard at work from the get-go, pouring blood, sweat and beats into informal Sunday studio sessions throughout 2014. Before they knew it, they’d amassed enough material for an EP, and their self-titled eight-track debut was released a year later. Though the Generals lay on slick verses and plenty of swagger, they’re not averse to tackling controversial or taboo subjects, from pervasive power-tripping bullies (“Kontrabida”) to misogyny and sexual harassment (“Hands Off”). For Peaceful Gemini, music has provided a vital platform to speak out about Filipino women’s rights. While they’ve become known as an outfit that ignites onstage with dance-floor rhythms, sick turntablism and explosive lyrics, beyond the usual thunder and brimstone tracks inspired by The Clash-era punk and dissenting hip-hop traditions, the Generals also take their downtime seriously—digging into a harmonic West Coast hip-hop style on “Ligaw”, where a stroll through Marikina is as easy as a Sunday morning.