Since its founding in 2023, Dumuduong Records has evolved into a cultural force in Cebu's hip-hop landscape, transcending the typical record label model. The collective, built by founders John Leo Porneo and Clint “Tata” Castañeda, emphasizes discipline, structure, and local pride over outside approval, creating an ecosystem where artists sharpen one another.
The Roster and Ecosystem
Dumuduong's core artists include Mcking (Marc Anthony Ruiz), Brice 777 (Brice Justin Tuazon), Ezrak (Ezra Jan Borces), JaoBoco (Rance Matthew Nuñeza), DAP (Dave Angelo Puerto), and Mistah Lefty. The collective functions as a working ecosystem where talent is expected and structure is paramount. “Being in this collective is great because we have a friendly competition,” said Mcking. “They guide me and serve as my role models. They also taught me discipline when it comes to releases and how to stay organized.”
Earning a Place
Membership is earned through persistence and skill. Mcking, initially an outsider, taught himself production when beats were scarce and expensive, leveraging his background as an instrumentalist. JaoBoco was noticed by Brice 777, who helped him access a stable creative setup. “For me, it was really Brice,” JaoBoco said. “They made the work so much easier for me. There’s already a producer and someone to mix. My struggle before was finding a place to record and paying for it myself.”
Pressure as Fuel
The collective's atmosphere is both motivating and demanding. Newer member Ezrak noted, “I’m actually quite new to the group, just a few months in. It’s been really fun because we are always making music and bonding whenever there are events. The people here are genuinely hardworking when it comes to arts and music; you don’t even need to push them.” Brice 777, a pioneer, has balanced creative and practical growth over nearly three years, learning event management and how to handle industry unpredictability.
From Cebu to Manila
DAP, another OG member, faced a challenging 2024 assignment to produce three tracks in ten days, which reinforced the collective's emphasis on craft and discipline. He recently signed with CHEKE Label, owned by Costa Cashman of O-Side Mafia, becoming the first Visayan artist and the only Cebuano on the label. This milestone demonstrates how Dumuduong's sound can travel without losing its local identity.
Future Releases
Dumuduong has a packed schedule: a collective EP, a collaborative project between Ezrak and Mcking, and solo albums from Brice 777 and Ezrak. The collective's ethos, summed up by Ezrak's advice to “Just be yourself, do what you love and do what you do,” has turned honesty into a working philosophy, amplifying Bisaya rap with confidence and self-assurance.
