Filipino-American rapper Saweetie is back to grace our streets with her immense talent and even bigger vision as an artist
The world associates a number of talents with the Filipino race, and basketball and must top the list for sure. This Saturday, these two skills will cross at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw with accomplished musicians performing at the event. One of them is Grammy-nominated rapper-singer Saweetie. Always bringing her Filipino side at the forefront in any chance she gets, she finally gets to embrace this love for all things Pinoy here in the country.
Sitting down for a quick catch up with MEGA Entertainment editor MJ Marfori, Saweetie delves into the reason for her deep love for the Philippines. “It comes from my mother. My mom, her sisters, [and my] Lolo and Lola, they all have strong Pinoy pride. Just to be raised in a household where all are hardworking people, it made me proud of who I am. I am so grateful for my Filipino family.”
Furthermore, she also emphasized the heritage that her mother has shared with her throughout the years, with the district of Tondo having the strongest recall on the artist’s memory. “You have to meet her! She has a lot of stories from Tondo.” Citing Divisoria, fishballs, and attending church, Saweetie points out, “[Those things] definitely impacted the woman who she is today, [so] I definitely wanna visit Tondo.”
The rapper-singer, born as Diamonté Valentin Harper, visited the country 10 years ago with Palawan, Manila, Cebu, and Boracay as part of her itinerary. This time, she plans on visiting Palawan again after her FIBA performance.
But besides work and leisure, there is a deeper “why” on her visit—scouting Filipino talents, especially rappers. Saweetie explains simply, “I feel like it’s my job to use my platform.”
Catch Saweetie at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw held in Smart Araneta Coliseum this April 29, 2023.
Photos: CIGNAL
Featured Image: SAWEETIE (via Instagram)
