The ERock Phenomenon: Is Red Santiago’s New Genre Really Necessary?

The ERock Phenomenon: Is Red Santiago’s New Genre Really Necessary?

In the ever-changing world of music, artists constantly strive for innovation. John Red Santiago, a Gen Z Filipino rock musician, exemplifies this drive. However, his recent attempt to introduce a new genre, “ERock,” by associating it with emo music, has sparked significant controversy among fans and critics.

Santiago’s ERock and the Backlash

According to an interview, ERock “interprets emotional songs in a rock way.” The interviewer seemed unfamiliar with the emo genre, a point that didn’t escape internet users. Netizens were quick to point out that this move appears to diminish the accomplishments of existing emo bands, sparking a debate online.

The assertion that ERock is a unique genre is particularly contentious given the long-standing presence and established fan base of Filipino emo bands such as Chicosci and Typecast, active since the early 2000s. Emo’s recent resurgence, evidenced by the comebacks of bands like My Chemical Romance and dedicated emo festivals such as When We Were Young, further complicates Santiago’s claim.

Criticisms and Controversy

Many criticize Santiago’s promotion of ERock as an attempt to rewrite the history of emo and claim ownership of a genre he didn’t create. Some accuse him of profiting from the emo genre’s popularity. Alternatively, he could have simply presented his music as a fusion of emo and rock, avoiding the controversy entirely.

The negative reaction to Santiago’s attempt to popularize ERock highlights the importance of acknowledging musical influences and giving credit where it’s due. It remains to be seen if this controversy will significantly impact his future career.

Read also: How a Queer Couple is Shaping Cebu’s Bass Music Scene

Sources:
Red Santiago: The rising star of Erock in the Philippines | The Global Filipino Magazine
This Gen Z musician is on a mission to popularize Philippine ERock