SILAB: The Movie

"Silab", which means "to set fire to" and/or "a fire or burning” in various Philippine languages, is a feature length Hip Hop visual album that boasts twelve music videos artistically interwoven between entertaining skits, real life events, intrinsic thoughts, random cyphers and Carl’s narration, in a chronological order to deliver an authentic, cinematic, and breathtaking audio and visual experience to viewers. Written, produced, co-directed, funded by and starring Carl Angelo, a Filipino American Hip Hop artist based in North Hills, Los Angeles, “Silab” is also a proudly independent film that stands on the foundation of a small team of up and coming, dedicated, working-class creatives that place integrity, grit, and the love of their respective crafts and art forms at the forefront of their work. The visual album explores a multitude of intersecting themes and concepts (identity, race, religion, intergenerational trauma, etc.) that are intertwined with Carl’s unique experience growing up in the Los Angeles county but still inclusive to the surrounding communities and cultures around him - all over a funky beat. Blessed by six feature artists and a handful of musicians, the entire album was executively produced by Marvs and Carl from the ground up, pulling influence from old skool and new skool Hip Hop, Philippine indigenous sounds, OPM (Original Pilipino Music), live instrumentation, and epic orchestral music. Mindful of cultural appropriation and moving with genuine intent, Carl understands and claims his rightful place in today's ever changing musical landscape by offering his underrepresented and fresh artistic perspective with hopes of further diversifying and enriching the ethos of the Hip Hop world. Carl has one goal and one goal only - to become one of the greatest artists of Filipino descent by inspiring future generations that resonate with his story to end up sharing theirs, proving time and time again that you don't need the backing of major label companies to be a catalyst for change - just heart and the audacity to do something about it, and make it look good along the way.

Directed by Jaimar Viray and cinematography by 2SixDoes. AC, Grip, and PA credits to Amalia Sepulveda, Josem Demira, David Ira and Jolene Cruz. Photography by Andrew Celi.

Beware. What you are about to watch will either inspire you or offend you. Either way, you will be challenged.