From the breezy asphalt hills of San Francisco to the maddening streets of Manila comes a gem of an artist poised to elevate Hip-Hop and R&B to an exciting new level. Loosen your necktie, kick off your spiked heels and turn up the volume, ladies and gents. It’s time to ease down, chill and embrace the stroke of genius that is Pikaso. 　　 　　Born and bred in the US, Pikaso is pure Pinoy talent oozing with passion, poetry and lyrical optimism. This versatile rapper, composer, and producer boasts of an impressive resume of local and international performances and a string of noteworthy collaborations with homegrown and foreign artists. 　　 　　To date, Pikaso has penned and produced hits for Francis M., Regine Velasquez, Nina, Kyla, Seven Shots, The Pharcyde, Terror Squad, Q-Bert and a host of hip-hop, R&B, and pop artists. He also emceed the hottest assembly of local Hip-Hop and R&B artists at the 2004 & 2005 Fete dela Musique and opened for the Black Eyed Peas and Ja Rule on tour in Manila. 　　 　　Aside from recording, Pikaso dabbles in film, advertising, and interactive media, having produced music for the motion picture “The Debut” and Sony Play Station’s Knockout Kings 2002. He has also written, produced and performed on the soundtrack of the massive multiplayer phenomenon Ragnarok. 　　 　　Growing up in a household where music is a staple, Pikaso wields an arsenal of eclectic musical influences like rock, soul, jazz and country to add character and depth to his hip-hop and R&B sound. 　　 　　He began bobbing to hip-hop beats when he was b-boying (break dancing) back in his teens. Soon, he was rapping with the DJ group Bay City Rockers and producing tracks alongside DJ Q Bert, Mix Master Mike, and Apollo. In 1993, he founded the West Coast Rock Steady Crew, which got him international notice. And after 15 years of making music abroad, he brings his signature Hip-Hop sound to the Philippines in 2001. His efforts culminate into his slick, sly, and engaging debut album “Portrait of a Masterpiece.” Just this August, Pikaso has also released another album in the streets under Empire Entertainment called “The Baynila Mix CD”, which is distributed in all Odyssey and Boboli outlets. 　　 　　Pikaso describes his music as an “…audio interpretation of his thoughts, feelings and experiences” accumulated over the years of coming to grips with his Filipino roots while living in the US. He expresses his appreciation for his shared heritage through tracks performed in English laced with potent Filipino verses and a special song done in the native tongue lovingly dedicated to his parents. 　　 　　Though he admits that the local hip-hop scene is still struggling for mainstream acceptance, he aspires to contribute music that will ease its growing pains. As a nod to his Filipino and American identity, he hopes to make music that can bridge the continental gap.