Shanti Dope and PHL artists voice out their comments on PDEA’s wish to ban ‘Amatz’
- The camp of Shanti Dope has spoken about the controversial song “Amatz”
- They said that the PDEA has taken the song out of context
- The Concerned Artists of the Philippines also commented about the controversy
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Recently, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) sought to ban the airing of “Amatz”, the new song of 18-year-old Shanti Dope, due to the alleged promotion of illegeal drug use.
KAMI learned that the management of Shanti Dope and the Concerned Artists of the Philippines commented on the issue.
The camp of Shanti Dope said that the PDEA has taken the song “Amatz” out of context, as reported by the CNN Philippines.
“In fact it clearly shows the persona taking a stand against illegal drugs, while at the same time pointing out that what has made him “fly” (so to speak) is not drugs, but music,” the management said.
“By the time we reach the song’s chorus, 'amatz' already refers to precisely the music through which the persona found his identity - not any form of drugs, but the natural high of creativity and knowing he is the only one who knows to do what he does,” it read in the statement.
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The Concerned Artists of the Philippines also shared on Facebook that they found PDEA’s decision “ridiculous.”
In a lengthy Facebook post, the Filipino artists said that the song is open for different interpretations. They emphasized that it is not the job of PDEA to be a “music critic” and to promote censorship in any artistic expression.
“Hands off our music! Police the druglords, not our musicians! Defend artistic freedom!” they said.
As previously reported by KAMI, the PDEA said that the song of Shanti Dope promotes the use of illegal drugs which is contrary to the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Shanti Dope is a Filipino rapper and songwriter. He is popularly known for his songs “MAU”, “Nadarang,” and “Shantidope.” He also made a collaboration with famous Filipino rapper Gloc9.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
