Vince Nantes Knows When Filipinos Collaborate, Big Hits Happen
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Vince Nantes
Now age 34, Vince was an infant when he was adopted by his grandfather's brother before they immigrated from Lucena in Quezon Province to America. Chicago became his home from age two through his years at Columbia College. In 2013, he moved to Los Angeles to work as an assistant to apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas. They collaborated on the song “More Fun in the Philippines,” which was commissioned by the Philippines Department of Tourism.
Artists who succeed in the music business are often called survivors because of the industry's reputation for blinding the wide-eyed innocence of newcomers. There are two reasons besides persistence that made Vince Nantes a name to remember. First of all, he came up in Chicago at a time when hip-hop giants like Kanye West, Common, and the late Juice Wrld were proving that Midwestern niceness had nothing to do with naiveté.
From his club days in Chicago, Vince unearths this gem of cocktail trivia: "I was on the bill with Chance before he became Chance the Rapper."
“Vince believes successful Filipinos in the music field have an obligation to help other Filipinos who are starting out. “I believe there’s a bond between all of us. ”
He recalls, "Chicago was diverse so I was exposed to different cultures and sounds. I had an immediate bond with people from the same city trying to make it. We were able to hone our craft and link up with music producers through Chris' (Innumerable) Classick Studios.
And Reason 2 for Vince’s success: He benefited from strong ties with the Filipino community from New York to Los Angeles.
In Chicago, even the recording studios have working class roots. About his Filipino American friend Chris Innumerable, Vince recalls, “Chris was one of those hardworking guys who saw a lot of talent in Chicago and built a studio from the ground up. Classick started in his bedroom and now he has a full-blown studio in a commercial space where major-label artists have recorded. He provided me a space to really dive in and dig deep into the music.”
In Los Angeles, he formed a lasting friendship with Pinoy employer and mentor apl.de.ap. “He helped me grow as a person while showing me the music game.” Vince remembers, “I was in rooms with people I never thought I’d meet and I was fortunate to travel the world with him. We’ve been bros since.”
“Black Swan” came together in 2019 while he was in New York City. It happened to be where his friend, August, was working with BTS’ record company, Big Hit Entertainment. Vince says August agreed, “Since we’re in New York together, let’s try to write something. He sent me a beat and from there, we started exchanging ideas. I think our linking up had something do with the universe telling me it was my time. ‘Black Swan’ was the biggest song in my career.”
But the fuse didn’t ignite overnight. “We wrote the song around this time last year (circa September 2019). We played the waiting game until January 2020. A random message from a BTS fan informed me that the song had come out. After all the hours we worked, it was definitely a confidence booster. It’s a testament that if you put in the years, it’s going to come back to you. That song definitely changed my life.”
Paying It Forward
Vince believes successful Filipinos in the music field have an obligation to help other Filipinos who are starting out. “I believe there’s a bond between all of us. I saw this in the support apl.de.ap gave me in the past and today through his apl.de.ap Foundation.”
Inspired by The Black Eyed Peas band member, Vince is writing music for independent artists, including a former artist on apl.de.ap’s label, BMBX ENT. “Toby Madox is a super talented kid who’s half Filipino living in Singapore. I’ve known him since he was thirteen. Now he’s nineteen and ready to take the music thing head on. We have a song out now titled ‘A Long Way from Home’.”
Vince also has wisdom to share with Filipino artists. He acknowledges, “We’re a minority in a big industry. Filipinos are known for their singing voices, but I think we’re becoming less afraid to try songwriting.” Vince has found that music executives aren’t horribly judgmental. “They’re just looking for great songs.”
Vince welcomes messages from Filipinos, both young and seasoned, who are interested in a music career. Warning to fans in the BTS Army: His cell phone does not hold the numbers of J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, Suga, RM or V. Ask him any other question on Instagram @vincenantes.
‘Rise’
“Rise”
On September 18, 2020, the single “Rise” rose out of a collaboration between Vince, Grammy winning singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger, Malaysian music artist Zee Avi, Filipinos Sam Concepcion, Inigo Pasqual and Chris Lopez, aka Moophs. The song was produced by Chris through his Manila-based Tarsier Records, a division of ABS-CBN.
“Rise” is a ray of hope that parts the dark clouds of the pandemic. Those six minutes allow the listener to reset her attitude with the reminder that as “soon as the waves die down, we’ll keep on rising.” Having contributed to the writing and vocals, Vince says, “It’s an answer for a world that’s asking, where is the love?”
Anthony Maddela
Anthony Maddela works in housing projects all over Los Angeles. He authored a plan to restore the 60 historical Chicano wall murals at Estrada Courts, where Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas grew up. All the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles needs is funding. He assures bird lovers that Black Swans are for real, not a pond prank by someone with a bottle of Rit Dye. Follow him on Instagram: @anthony_maddela
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