Kimmortal Made Us a FAHM Playlist
Photography Yvonne Hanson.
Welcome to SOUND SYSTEM, Hella Pinay’s new playlist series putting the aux in the hands of our favorite people. For Filipino American History Month, we tapped Kimmortal—the Filipino-Canadian rapper and multidisciplinary artist who joined us on Hella Pinay: Icons last month—to take us through the songs that hit different across the diaspora. We’re talking childhood throwbacks, anti-colonial anthems, auntie-approved classics, and the kind of track that makes you feel yourself before you even leave the house. Part cultural memory, part political education, part karaoke after three drinks, this is Kimmortal’s world: sentimental, subversive, and ready to take over the function.
Name a Filipino song that instantly takes you back to childhood.
Kimmortal: “Pen Pen de Sarapen.”
Which song makes you feel most connected to the diaspora?
Kimmortal: “Kyusi” by Zild.
Which song has you feeling yourself immediately?
Kimmortal: "Am I Lyin” by Rocky Rivera.
Soundtrack your entrance. Where are you walking in, and what’s playing?
Kimmortal: “ABC” by Kimmortal, walking into a white kids bday.
Which song could single-handedly overthrow the colonial state?
Kimmortal: “Stop Business As Usual” the remix, with Phoenix Pagliacci and Bobby Sanchez.
Is there a song that feels like a ritual to you?
Kimmortal: “Maranao” by Free the Robots
Your ultimate karaoke song—no shame.
Kimmortal: “Together Again, janet jackson
You’re DJing a Filipino family party. What’s the FIRST song you’re playing?
Kimmortal: “Gi Kumot Kumot” by DJ Love.
