Afro-Beats With A Bisaya Blend: DRIPPIE ERIC And MISTERMIL’s New Twist In Cebu Music

Music shares deep roots within Cebu City’s culture, where it continues to be rich in diversity as new performers introduce interesting blends into the scene.

Rising artists Drippie Eric and MISTERMIL stand at the forefront of this continuous change, carrying afro-beats mixed with bisaya verses and setting a trend of this new heatwave of music.

In a recent interview with the duo during TMC 105.1’s Top of the Morning, Radio Host Jiggy Juice asks the two on their origins and their rise to cebuano stardom.

Alexander Lim, also known as MISTERMIL, has been a longstanding member of the commercial music industry for quite some time, being part of a label as he managed bands and took local artists to the main stage.

After his departure from the industry, he decided to continue enjoying music in his spare time until he was introduced to Afro-Beats, a genre that pays homage to west african music and blends traditional African rhythms, highlife, and jùjú with Western styles like hip-hop, R&B, and dancehall.

His passion for the genre would take him to greater ambitions, revitalizing his music career as he explored more of what this music can offer.

When asked about Afro-Beats and it’s potential to be a part of the diverse music culture in Cebu, MISTERMIL comments that the genre fits the exact kind of music Cebu is looking for, adding:

“It has this unique way of getting you that you don’t notice because it’s upbeat, positive… A vacation-style kind of music.”

MISTERMIL then decided to help expand the genre’s exposure to the Philippine music community, seeking out other local artists who appreciated this form of music just as much as he did.

It was during this moment of exploration where he then discovered DRIPPIE ERIC, a rising star from the beaches of Siquijor.

MISTERMIL saw great potential in his artistry and sought to bring DRIPPIE ERIC over to the shores of Cebu, where he could gain a wider audience.

Together, alongside fellow artists DJ LIT and ZOYA, they formed PHIRESTARTER, a Cebu-based movement and collective that fuses Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Alte Cruise with a Filipino blend in music.

As they continue to perform in more events, they spread the word that their style of music is here to stay.

When asked about his decision to bring his music to Cebu City, DRIPPIE ERIC comments that this step was beneficial, as his exposure to the Cebuano crowd will continue in leading him to perform in more events and improve his skills as an artist overall.

DRIPPIE ERIC and MISTERMIL are scheduled to release their new song “LAHI” on all music platforms. They will also be performing together alongside other artists from PHIRESTARTER in coming events across Cebu across the year.