Philippines 
Crystal Waters interviewed in The Guardian
3 years ago
Hev Abi has rapidly ascended as the Philippines' most streamed male OPM artist, known for his authentic hip-hop style and ability to connect with a wide audience.
Collaborated with fellow rapper Because on the electrifying new track titled 'MINAHALAGAD'.
Joined forces with R&B singer DEMI for the collaboration track 'Pakundangan', released in November.
Recognized as Spotify's KALYE Artist of the Year and featured in Spotify's RADAR class of 2024, leading for Pinoy Hip-Hop.
Under major management company TMP Industries, which handles artists like Illest Morena and Jose at Melodiya.
Collaborated on the track 'Babaero', which became Spotify's top song by a Filipino artist.
Featured in Rolling Stone Philippines, where he is described as a proud QCitizen and discusses his approach to music.
Gabriel Abilla, known professionally as Hev Abi, was born on January 31, 2002, in Quezon City, Philippines. His musical journey began in 2020 with the release of the single “Pusong Bato,” followed by several EPs, including “Kwentong Jimenez” (2021) and “Pautang ng Pag-Ibig” and “Sakred Boy” in 2022. Hev Abi gained significant mainstream attention in 2023 with his single “WELCOME2DTQ,” which went viral on platforms like TikTok and ultimately charted on Billboard’s Philippines Songs chart for four weeks, peaking at number twenty. This breakthrough marked a turning point, establishing him as a prominent figure in the Filipino hip-hop scene and earning him the moniker “Rookie of the Year” in Pinoy hip hop.
Following his viral success, Hev Abi continued to release popular singles such as “Para sa Streets,” “QC Girls,” and “Lil Kasalanan Shortie.” In October 2023, he released his debut album, “Kung Alam Mo Lang,” a twelve-track record exploring themes of love and friendship. The album, despite minimal critical review, was recognized by Esquire Philippines and SunStar Davao as one of the best OPM releases of the year and became the most played OPM album on Spotify for 16 consecutive weeks from January to May 2024. Hev Abi demonstrated his commercial appeal by having three consecutive number-one songs on the Philippines Songs charts in February 2024: “Makasarili Malambing” (where he was featured), “Alam Mo Ba Girl,” and “Babaero” (also a feature). He quickly accumulated over two million monthly listeners on Spotify and became the first local artist to have eight simultaneous tracks on the Philippines Songs charts in April 2024.
Hev Abi’s career progression also includes co-founding the independent record label Downtown Q Entertainment, where he collaborates with artists like Kristina Dawn, gins&melodies, Unotheone, and Simmo. His artistry is rooted in his hometown, Quezon City, and influenced by rappers like Kanye West and Tyler, the Creator. His music showcases a versatile style, ranging from aggressive flows to relaxed vocals, and has evolved from confident bravado to more personal lyricism. In August 2024, he released his fifth project, the mixtape “bahay namin maliit lamang,” further solidifying his position as a dynamic and evolving artist in the Filipino music industry. Hev Abi’s success highlights a broader surge in the popularity of Filipino hip-hop, driven by mainstream recognition and streaming services.
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