Prolific Filipino-American rap prodigy MBNel sure is doing his part in showcasing the Philippines’ fast-ascending rap talent before a global audience. After shooting two hot singles (Ghost 2 and Just Like You) in Manila during his first visit to the country, he came back to our shores recently a second time for Ashtray, a smoking-hot single featuring powerhouse Filipino Hip-hop trio O SIDE MAFIA.
Ashtray gives Filipino rap fans plenty of reasons to get hyped up. Seamlessly alternating English and Tagalog verses between its collaborating artists, it’s an affirmation of the endless exciting possibilities of Filipino-blooded rap music—and how it’s ripe for recognition the world over. The multi-lingual music that MBNel and O SIDE MAFIA treats us to with this sizzling collab is fast, edgy, catchy, and proudly Pinoy.
“It’s dope hearing Tagalog flow on this type of song because it’s not too far from the lane they do”, says MBNel about his collab with the O SIDE trio. The international rap artist also shares how the collaboration happened naturally during his trips to his Motherland. “We had locked in my first trip, but during my second visit, we linked up in the studio,” he explained. “From there, they jumped on what I had open, and I wanted to create something catchy with them.”
MBNel’s and O SIDE MAFIA’s music boast close to 300 million streams globally between them, and they’re barely getting started. It’s undeniably a great time to be a Filipino rap fan.
Ashtray by MBNEL feat. O SIDE MAFIA is out now on digital streaming platforms.
ABOUT MBNel:
MBNel has embodied the hunger and hustle of Stockton, California’s 8th Street, and shared it with the world. The second-generation Filipino-American artist with nearly 40 music videos on YouTube has only broadened through his most courageous release to date, late 2023’s 8 To Infinity. The Muddy Boyz/EMPIRE album expands on Nel’s melodies, musicality, and vulnerability. Songs like “Tear Drops” and “Restart” show MBNel’s star power and his resonance with new global audiences on a project that features Mozzy, Yung Bleu, and Millyz.
Since his 2017 breakthrough, MBNel has shown that he is built to last. 2019’s “Feelings” garnered over 35 million streams across platforms, while the “In My City” video achieved over 10 million views. Nel brought new attention to his Northern California city while attracting fans worldwide. His song “Born To Win” is often used by the San Francisco 49ers. He performed at Los Angeles’ Rolling Loud after selling out his 2021 West Coast run, and did a packed London ‘22 set. In 2023, Nel shared the stage with Ez Mil for a sold-out show at New York City’s SOB’s as part of Filipino Heritage Month. The October event followed an appearance on Ez Mil’s Shady/Aftermath debut, where executive producer Eminem also guested.
Nel is the oldest child of first-generation immigrants. He first applied his family’s tireless work ethic to his endeavors in the street, then the studio. Nel’s father is a DJ, which exposed him to music at an early age. By his teens, Nel took to rapping. At 19, the Muddy Boyz artist looked for an alternative to a dead-end life in the street. He took money from a menial job to finance his “Love My Gang” music video. Through talent and a unique story, MBNel became a Stockton standout. Lil Baby followed him online. Say Cheese posted his videos.
