PDEA wants Shanti Dope’s ‘Amatz’ song to be banned

While saying that they respect and appreciate the OPM artists, Aquino emphasized that the agency “strongly oppose” the promotion of such songs that encourage the use of drugs like marijuana and shabu. (File photo: Shanti Dope/Facebook)

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is seeking to ban the airing of Filipino rapper Shanti Dope’s song called “Amatz” as it allegedly promotes the use of marijuana.

In a statement on Thursday, May 23, the anti-illegal drugs agency said PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino asked the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), and ABS-CBN Corporation, through a letter dated May 20, to “prevent the airing of ‘Amatz’ and its promotion in the different media stations throughout the country” because it contains lyrics that are “contrary” to the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the current administration.

The PDEA pointed out the chorus of the song where the lyrics goes, “Lakas ng amats ko, sobrang natural, walang halong kemikal.” The lyrics also mentions, “Ito hinangad ko; lipadin ay mataas pa sa kayang ipadama sayo ng gramo, di bale ng musika ikamatay.”

“It appears that the singer was referring to the high effect of marijuana, being in its natural/organic state and not altered by any chemical compound,” the PDEA chief said.

He also noted that releasing songs that features the use of illegal drugs as harmless could mislead the vulnerable youth, making them believe that it is okay to use those drugs.

While saying that they respect and appreciate the OPM artists, Aquino emphasized that the agency “strongly oppose” the promotion of such songs that encourage the use of drugs like marijuana and shabu.

Apart from “Amatz,” Aquino also said similar songs should also be banned from being aired.

As of writing, the rapper nor the record label that released the song in March 2019, Universal Records Philippines, has yet to comment on Aquino’s statement.

Producer Klumcee earlier said in a statement that the message behind “Amatz” is about “having a natural high – being one with nature, and an awareness about our environment in society, which is bombarded by synthetics and chemicals.”