Fil-Am rapper Ruby Ibarra launches new label for Filipino artists in the Bay Area
Photo from rubyibarra/Instagram
Filipino-American rapper Ruby Ibarra doesn’t just have beats to drop but a whole new record label on a mission to uplift fellow Filipino artists in the Bay Area—the Bolo Music Group.
On Oct. 21, at a Filipino American History Month celebration at San Francisco’s Undiscovered Block Party, the 32-year-old hip-hop artist unveiled the new label with a clear goal: “To push Filipino culture forward.”
“I want to expand the platform that I built to be able to help the artists in our community,” Ibarra declared to the audience.
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A year in the making, Bolo Music Group is co-founded by Ibarra’s fellow musician and producer LASI. The label was born out of their conversations and similar goals of uplifting Filipino voices and music.
The label’s inaugural lineup is one to boast—soul singer-songwriter Ouida and songwriters Vince A. and Ian Santillano. Watch out for this lot this November at a Spotify event in Los Angeles, and their full-length releases that will be available next year.
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But Bolo Music Group isn’t just for Filipino talents. Ibarra will also launch her second album under this label, set to drop in spring next year. Giving fans a sneak peek of what’s to come, her single and NBA 2k24 soundtrack “Switch” was just released before the second album.
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Where is Ruby Ibarra from?
Born in Tacloban City in Leyte, her journey from the Philippines to San Lorenzo at age four was nothing short of motivating. Hip-hop legends Tupac Shakur and Lauryn Hill heavily influenced her music with her unique style of blending Filipino, English, and Waray, her native language. With over 64,000 followers on Instagram as of writing, Ibarra is also a poet and director.
This announcement of a new label marks her significant comeback after a hiatus.
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During the first three years of the pandemic era, she spent her time developing COVID-19 test kits and seeking vaccine candidates. She worked as a scientist in the quality control department of a Bay Area biotech firm. Last year, she decided to leave her day job in pursuit of her love for music.
She has since earned spots on major platforms—from a music feature in the Fox series “The Cleaning Lady” to the “NBA 2k23” video game, she’s also done an ad campaign for McDonald’s.
Aside from the aforementioned November gig, you can also catch her live with Ouida, Santillano, and Vince A. at a Bolo Music Grou showcase at the New Parish in Oakland on Dec. 8.
