“Kalimutan mo na yan sige sige maglibang /Wag kang magpakahibang dapat ay itawa lang /Ang problema sa babae dapat ‘di iniinda /Hayaan mo sila ang maghabol sayo diba?/Sabi ko naman sayo lahat yan nagloloko/Pagkatapos kang pakinabangan biglang lalayo/Kaya wag nang uulit pa…”

These lyrics repeat in every corner of the Philippines, whether it is on public transportation or in a personal vehicle. It repeats in your ears; not to mention, those ‘jejemon’ teenagers dancing what appears to be their national anthem.

What’s the fuss about the single “Hayaan mo sila” by Ex-Battalion, which is topping the music charts today? Analyzing the lyrics, it talks about girls taking advantage of guys’ weaknesses and, in response, the guys believe the best revenge is to move on and let the girls chase them. This is a common theme with current hip-hop music.

However, deconstructing the lyrics, what the song really suggests is how the group is trying to influence teenagers with fantasies of wealth, glamor, and sex appeal; which is manifested in the house where the shoot their music videos, along with the frequent use of sports cars and pretty girls.

In their song “Come with me,” the lyrics go: “I just wanna be right next to you /Gusto ko lang naman na makasama ka tonight/ You be grinding on my body feeling so damn right/I want you all for me baby/Halika sa tabi ko baby…” The song depicts messages promoting promiscuity, along with sexual innuendo that recommends listeners engage in premarital sex. In another song, “Need you,” the lyrics read: “I’m gonna kiss you on your forehead / I’m gonna do my best down to your chest /Just say yes obvious na kung anong next/ Hanggang sa kama ka mabitbit /Yayapusin ka ng mahigpit /Kung saan masikip ako’y sisiksik /Habang labi mo sinisipsip…”

Most of their songs and music videos show how they treat women as sexual objects. Following hip hop culture, which often uses misogynistic words to assert masculinity, other lyrics in “Hayaan mo sila” read: “There’s so many bitches in the club /There’s so many sexy babies ba’t hindi ka maghanap?” Using the word “bitch” to describe a girl in a club is an example of stereotypical generalization.

The use of women dancing in front of them in a suggestive manner or being surrounded by beautiful girls is another example of the group presenting themselves as “authentic rappers.” This “sexualization” of music has become a standard with this wave of hip-hop, which offers lyrics and videos that link music with pornography.

What Ex-Battalion presents is the growing perverseness of sexual advancement through a song accompanied by a catchy beat. However, ask listeners of their music and 80 percent will not understand the message and are merely hooked on the beat.

The culture they wish to present depicts premarital sex as a measurement of true love and the act of making love is normal for teenager. A lifestyle of heavy drinking and smoking is also promoted, claiming it will make listeners feel they are part of the group.

Teenagers are drawn to Ex-Battalion because they know what they need, a visual of their fantasies, partying in a mansion with pretty girls in a pool and making sexual advances, which teenagers crave out of a need to feel “accepted.” It is also a form of escapism as Filipinos often dream of going from rags to riches; with the group’s music, one no longer just dreams of a beautiful girl that submits to their demands as having everything, but they can have a trophy girlfriend or someone they can routinely objectify.

This misogyny is nothing new for Filipinos who enjoy this music. With the presence of underground rap battles, like “fliptop,” rappers can be heard degrading woman and people laugh. Western hip-hop offers a hefty influence as they also utilize misogynistic themes in their music.

Calling Ex-Battalion a purveyor of ‘fuccboi’ culture is evident in their music. It teaches listeners to see women as an object of lust. All the while, those merely enjoying he beat, but singing the lyrics at the top of their lungs, are slowly being devoured into a culture of promiscuity./WDJ