Apekz – Tuldok (English Translation) Lyrics
🌅 [Intro]
My life ain’t so bad.
You drive so fast
To the silence, baby.
Don’t trip, relax.
And we’ll be alright
‘Til the sunrise.
⛰️ [Verse 1: The Summit and the Period]
I climbed a tall mountain.
I didn’t stop even when my feet were bruised.
Right when I reached the summit—
That’s when a period appeared.
I climbed a tall mountain.
I didn’t stop even when my feet were bruised.
Right when I reached the summit—
That’s when a period appeared.
Many are waiting, many are asking:
“When’s your next battle? We miss you, bring it on.”
Before I answer why it’s like that,
Let’s go back to the old days.
🎤 [Verse 2: The Origin Story]
Estranghero and Ramon, Yawzi and Pajutes.
Datu vs. Loonie—here’s a snappy salute.
Until I got lost watching Eminem and Juice,
Binge-watching Grind Time after school.
Straight to the computer shop,
Back when Google Maps wasn’t a thing.
Listening on repeat to Supernat’s freestyles—
I got caught by rap like a booby trap.
Until I watched Cameltoe versus Datu.
Brand New was held at Quantum.
Acapella, like Dumbfoundead vs. Tantrum—
Still in Tagalog, but the impact doubled.
💻 [Verse 3: The Dream Takes Shape]
I checked if they were on Facebook.
I wanted to know if it was meant to be.
It wasn’t just simple teasing—
I was thinking about legacy from A to Z.
2010—my opponent was Harlem Ty.
B A T T L E R A P.
A comedian turned rapper, like Michael V.
I lost my first try, but it was all good.
👑 [Verse 4: The Grind and the Rise]
I’m an OG, like Obi-Wan Kenobi.
My first talent fee came from Daddy Joe D.
Five hundred pesos was handed to Toti—
Quiet and lowkey like a shinobi.
My first battle, I was seventeen.
After that loss came a winning streak.
What more if I finished my degree?
I chose rap after thinking it through.
When I got off the ship, I had no doubt.
I immediately faced Bryan Lao.
Instead of picking weak opponents,
I wanted peak battles in the south.
I immersed myself and improved.
One-on-one, two-on-two—three that I lived by.
I stood among the real ones—
That kid who took a solo flight in Malugay.
🦠 [Verse 5: The Pandemic and the Shift]
The pandemic came, but I was still ready to fight.
But why were judges exchanging money?
The system changed—no one was losing.
This isn’t the league I used to know.
⚖️ [Verse 6: The Controversy]
Fast forward to twenty twenty-two—
My battle with Sinio, ready to execute.
The venue was so grimy, it could be an MV shoot.
I gave it all—not even a residue left.
Because of a bet, I risked my career.
I just didn’t want our art to be mocked.
Some people were angry,
But there were receipts and videos; it wasn’t hidden.
“They said you even went against the president.”
I knew the possible consequences.
Thankfully, something changed somehow.
And it’s not true that I planned it for long.
“If you had a problem, you should’ve talked.”
The battle was near when I added that to my letter.
Should I have told Anygma?
He’s also a battle emcee and the head of the league.
They said I was bitter about losing to Gorio,
Not winning the championship I dreamed of—
That the league was being hurt because of that damn bet,
And because of gratitude, it was just allowed.
The bet was one million. I knew I lost.
Add to that what the judges did.
Tension, emotion, pressure—all mixed.
So on stage, I looked like a troublemaker.
💔 [Verse 7: The Aftermath]
Three years passed.
Maybe the resentment is gone now.
At the FlipTop anniversary, they invited me
So I could be humble and explain my side.
Loons had no driver, so he couldn’t join.
I rode a Grab with Zaki.
Even if not invited, I still went
To personally apologize and shake hands.
I bought my own drinks and snacks
So no one could say I had nerve.
Everyone was there, quietly mocking.
But I didn’t care—I drank my Gold Label.
I waited for him. Maybe he was stuck in traffic.
Even Loons wasn’t there yet.
The guard called me, saying Anygma was angry
And said Aric wanted me to leave.
I said, “Is that so?” and asked no more.
I just wish he faced me so I could greet him.
Even if I wasn’t given a battle, I didn’t care—
As long as the night ended peacefully.
🪦 [Verse 8: The Fool’s Ending]
But this is the ending of a fool.
Though Kuya Dennis was truly kind.
“Why did you even come when you’re already X’d out?
Even God forgives, yet you’re an atheist.”
I accepted it even if it hurt.
At least it’s clear—I can’t return.
I miss the tremor, the fatigue and stress.
I know many are still hungry for Battousaipekz.
But I guess this is the end.
No need to call out at a big event.
When I strike, it should never feel lacking.
If it’s a feature, you know I don’t spare opponents.
🌏 [Verse 9: The Legacy]
Shoutout to the new ones—don’t whisper.
Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon.
Keep going, don’t burn out fast.
“They’re running out of great ones”—I was wrong.
To the fans who watch me,
You pulled me out of deep quicksand.
Even if I can’t fulfill the whispers in the wind,
I want you to know—you built me.
🙏 [Verse 10: The Final Minute]
In life, we need sacrifice
To reach our own paradise.
There’s a reason why we stumble.
God has a plan why you are here.
Sorry, even if I stretch it, I’m still short.
This is my final minute. It’s done.
Thank you, Aric—you’ve been a good boss.
Thank you, FlipTop—my ultimate goodbye.
🌅 [Outro]
My life ain’t so bad.
You drive so fast
To the silence, baby.
Don’t trip, relax.
And we’ll be alright
‘Til the sunrise.
⚔️ Lyrics Meaning & Emotional Core
“Battousai” is a magnum opus of reflection, apology, and farewell. The title itself is a reference to the iconic character from Rurouni Kenshin, known for his unmatched skill and his journey from a killer to a wanderer seeking peace . Apekz uses this persona to frame his own story: a warrior reflecting on his battles, his mistakes, and his decision to finally sheathe his sword.
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Core Theme: The Mountain and the Period
The song opens with the central metaphor of climbing a tall mountain, never stopping despite bruised feet. But upon reaching the summit—the peak of his career, the moment of achievement—a “period appeared.” This is the end of a sentence, the end of a chapter, the end of his journey in the league. The repetition emphasizes the shock and finality of this realization. -
The Golden Age of Battle Rap
Apekz takes us back to the “old days,” name-dropping pioneers like Estranghero, Ramon, Yawzi, Pajutes, Datu, and Loonie. This is a roll call of FlipTop’s founding fathers, establishing his credibility and his deep roots in the scene. He recalls watching international battles like Grind Time and being inspired by legends like Eminem and Juice, showing how his craft was shaped by both local and global influences. The image of going to the computer shop before Google Maps, listening to Supernat’s freestyles on repeat, paints a vivid picture of a hungry fanboy who would become a legend himself. -
The First Battle and the Winning Streak
His first battle in 2010 against Harlem Ty was a loss, but it was “all good.” From that defeat, he built a “winning streak.” He chose to face strong opponents like Bryan Lao instead of taking easy wins, embodying the warrior’s code of seeking worthy challenges. He immersed himself, learning from every battle—“One-on-one, two-on-two—three that I lived by.” -
The Pandemic and the Corruption
The tone shifts as he addresses the pandemic era, when the “system changed.” Judges were “exchanging money,” and “no one was losing.” This is a direct critique of the league’s integrity, a feeling that the pure competition he loved had been compromised. -
The Sinio Bet and the Fallout
The 2022 battle against Sinio is the song’s dramatic centerpiece. Apekz reveals he risked his career “because of a bet,” motivated by a desire to protect the art from being “mocked.” The aftermath was chaos: accusations, anger, and a tarnished reputation. He addresses the rumors head-on—that he went against Anygma (the league’s founder), that he was bitter about losing to Gorio—and offers his side of the story. The tension, emotion, and pressure of that moment made him look like a “troublemaker.” -
The Attempted Reconciliation and the Rejection
Perhaps the most heartbreaking part of the song is the narrative of the FlipTop anniversary. Apekz went, uninvited but hoping to “apologize and shake hands.” He bought his own drinks, waited patiently, and was ultimately told to leave by security. The pain is palpable: “I just wish he faced me so I could greet him.” The line “Even God forgives, yet you’re an atheist” is a devastating jab at the league’s refusal to offer the grace that even a divine being would provide. -
The Acceptance and the Farewell
Despite the hurt, Apekz accepts the outcome: “At least it’s clear—I can’t return.” He acknowledges that many fans are still “hungry for Battousaipekz,” but he knows the chapter is closed. He offers a blessing to the new generation of emcees across the Philippines, urging them to keep going. And he thanks the fans who “pulled me out of deep quicksand”—their support gave him purpose. -
The Sacrifice and the Plan
The final verse is a philosophical reflection: “In life, we need sacrifice to reach our own paradise.” He finds meaning in the struggle, believing that “God has a plan” for why we are here. He apologizes for falling short and delivers his “final minute.” The thanks to Aric (presumably a league official) and FlipTop is a graceful, if bittersweet, conclusion. -
The Outro’s Circle
The outro returns to the intro’s melody, creating a sense of closure. “My life ain’t so bad”—despite everything, there is peace. The drive into silence, the relaxation, the promise of being alright “’til the sunrise”—this is the calm after the storm, the warrior finally at rest.
In essence, “Battousai” is a testament to a life lived in the arena. Apekz chronicles his rise, his battles, his controversies, and his exile with unflinching honesty. He acknowledges his mistakes, calls out the system that failed him, and extends an olive branch that was rejected. In the end, he finds peace not in reconciliation but in acceptance. The mountain was climbed, the summit was reached, and a period appeared. The Battousai has sheathed his sword. Thank you, FlipTop—my ultimate goodbye.
