Death Threat (hip-hop group)
Filipino hip hop group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Death Threat is a hip-hop group in the Philippines. The group is credited for pioneering gangsta rap in the Philippines and for launching the career of Gloc-9. Death Threat was started in 1992 or 93 when Beware met Genezide.This was the time of the golden age of hip-hop.
Death Threat | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | DTG |
| Origin | Philippines |
| Genres | Pinoy hip hop |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Label | Real Deal Productions |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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History
Death Threat initially consisted of Ron "Beware" Salonga and Gerald "Genezide" Acelajado. Their self-titled debut album Death Threat:Gusto Kong Bumaet was released in 1993.[1] It contained the song "Gusto Kong Bumaet (Pero 'Di Ko Magawa)" (English: "I Want to Become Good (But I Cannot)") which told tales of the daily lives of the young impoverished Filipino youth growing up in the city streets and slum areas.[2] It is considered the first Filipino gangsta rap album and was certified gold.[3][4]
Three years later, they added more members with emcees Michael P. "Hi-Jakkk" Reyes, and Lawrence "O-Dogg" Panganiban.[1] They were also joined by Aristotle Pollisco. The group suggested him the rap alias "Glock-9". He then changed it to "Gloc-9".[5] Their second album, Death Threat: Wanted contained the song "Ilibing ng Buhay (Ang Mga Sosyal)" (English: "Bury (The Elitists) Alive") with Pooch (the alter-ego of Andrew E.).[4][6] The song became a hit despite not getting radio play.[4] Another song, "Who's Next?", is considered one of the first Filipino diss tracks written, as they called out rival rappers and the radio station LA 105.9.[1] The album itself was certified double platinum.[4]
Beware left the Philippines after the release of the album, and the group became the duo of Hi-Jakkk and Gloc-9, and released the third album Kings of da Undaground in 1997. Kings of da Undaground went on to become a four-time platinum album.[7] Beware then returned to the Philippines in 1998 to release the album Death Threat: The Return that was recorded in California.[4]
In 2002, Death Threat released another album, Death Threat: Still Wanted. It contained "Private Diane", which featured Ely Buendia and Francis Magalona.[8][9]
During the 2000s, several members left the group. For a time, Gloc-9 and Hi-Jakkk performed together as a duo, releasing Domination I and Domination II.[10][11] Hi-Jakk produced and arranged their albums.[11] Gloc-9 then signed with Star Music and became one of the best-selling and most successful hip-hop artists in the Philippines.[12] Hi-Jakkk also became a solo artist, releasing several albums and worked with ABS-CBN Music in 2023.[13][14] O-Dogg spent the next 15 years as an RTC employee. In 2014, he was shot dead in Muntinlupa.[15]
In 2019, Death Threat performed on the Wish 107.5 bus.[8] They also released "Gusto Kong Bumaet Pero Di Ko Magawa: Part 2".[16]
Discography
Albums
- 1993: Death Threat: (self titled)[17]
- 1995: Death Threat: Wanted[18]
- 1997: Death Threat: Kings of da Undaground[19]
- 1998: Beware: The Return (O.G. Beware)
- 1999: Reincarnation (compilation album)[20]
- 1999: Genezide: Kasalanan
- 2002: Death Threat: Still Wanted: Da 2nd Chapter
- 2005: Beware: Revenge of tha Undaground
- 2005: Da Best of Death Threat (1993-2003)
- 2014: The Best of Beware (2-disc album)
- 2025: Tha Last Chapter (Disc 1)
- 2026: Tha Last Chapter (Disc 2)