Amatz
| "Amatz" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Shanti Dope | ||||
| Released | March 22, 2019 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | Universal | |||
| Composer(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Klumcee | |||
| Shanti Dope singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Amatz" on YouTube | ||||
Amatz is a song by Filipino rapper Shanti Dope that was released under Universal Records on March 22, 2019. The word "Amatz" is a slang word for Tagalog “tama” or kick, which could refer to being drunk or high on drugs.[1]
Controversy
Several months after the release of the song,
The management of Shanti criticized PDEA over its call to ban the song. According to them, "Amatz" isn't about drugs or marijuana but music – which makes the song's persona "fly."[4] They also added that the ban sets a dangerous precedent for creative and artistic freedom in the country, when a drug enforcement agency can unilaterally decide on what a song is about, and call for its complete ban because it is presumed to go against the government's war on illegal drugs.[5]
On 17 June 2019, the
Both Shanti Dope and the Concerned Artists of the Philippines slammed Aaron Aquino's move, with the artist group even reminding PDEA that it's not its job to be a music critic.[7]
Accolades
Despite the ban, "Amatz" managed to have nominations from the
| Year | Organization | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Awit Awards | Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist | Nominated | [8] |
| Music Video of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Best Best Rap/Hip Hop Recording | Won | [9] | ||
Myx Music Awards
|
Music Video of the Year | Nominated | [10] | |
| Urban Video of the Year | Nominated |
Usage in media
"Amatz" was featured in the third episode of the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which was released onto Disney+ on April 2, 2021.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Amatz" | 3:54 |
Charts
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[12] | 10 |
References
- ^ a b "KBP bans rap song after PDEA protest". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
- ^ "PDEA seeks to ban Shanti Dope song 'Amatz' for allegedly promoting drug use". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
- ^ "PDEA seeks to ban Shanti Dope song for allegedly promoting marijuana". Philstar. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
- ^ "Shanti Dope's management slams PDEA over move to ban 'Amatz': 'Brazen use of power'". Rappler. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
- ^ "Drug agency trying to ban rap song". Business World. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
- ^ "PDEA thanks NTC for compelling KBP to ban 'Amatz' from the airwaves". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
- ^ "Shanti Dope on 'Amatz' ban: 'Nasa Pilipinas nga pala tayo'". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
- ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, Awit Awards 2020". Rappler. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "MYX Awards 2020: Nominees named; virtual show to be held". ABS-CBN.com. 2020-05-21. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ "Amatz - Single by Shanti Dope on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
- ^ "World Digital Song Sales (The week of April 17, 2021)". Billboard. April 13, 2021. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.