Originally published on March 8, 2018
Just in time for International Women’s Day, rapper Ruby Ibarra drops her much anticipated music video for her song, “Us.” The track, featuring Rocky Rivera, Klassy, and Faith Santilla, comes off of her 2017 album, CIRCA91. It is an anthem aimed to support and uplift the girls and women of the Filipino/Filipino American community against boundaries thrown their way.
The music video, which also marks Ibarra’s directorial debut, was shot in the San Francisco Bay Area, with many Filipino American girls and women making appearances in it. Along with Ibarra’s smooth transitions from going back and forth between rapping in English and Tagalog, the music video visually reflects the duality with moments intercut with Ibarra, the guest performers, and extras occasionally appearing in traditional Filipino getup.
Ibarra’s status as a rapper is on the rise; her raps often focusing on her Filipino heritage and on her experience as a first generation American. This song, as well as the music video, is one of many examples on how she is a talent with a message.
Drifting Back Around 