Curtismith

Curtismith
Birth nameMito Fabie
BornDecember 1993
Philippines
GenresIndie hip-hop, R&B
InstrumentVocals
Years active2015–present
LabelsIdeal, Careless, Logiclub, Pool Records
Websitesoundcloud.com/curtismith

Mito Fabie (born 1993), known professionally as Curtismith, is a Filipino indie singer, rapper and songwriter. He is best known for his debut mixtape Ideal in 2015, and his EPs Failing Forward (released in 2016) and Soully Yours (released in 2017). He released his debut album Museo in 2021.

He was featured on various music festivals and other events, including Wanderland Music and Arts Festival in 2016. He was also featured on Kiana Valenciano's hit single "Does She Know". In 2017, he was included in a collaboration project by Coca-Cola called Coke Studio PH with Noel Cabangon.

Early life

Mito Fabie is the son of cinematographer Miguel Fabie III and former Mega editor-in-chief Carla Sibal.[1] He grew up an only child. He started making music when he was 14 years old, as a way of expressing himself.[2] His father died when he was 15 and his mother left for the US when he was 17 years old.[1]

Career

Curtismith took inspiration for his alias "Curtismith" after seeing a billboard of Anne Curtis.[3] He took the name to "have people like my music for what it was other than how I looked or who I was".[2][4] He first joined the music collective Logiclub, which also had local artist crwn as one of their members.[5] In September 2015, Curtismith dropped his first mixtape, Ideal, which featured other local artists such as crwn and Similarobjects.[6] It was distributed for free, and he soon started gaining attention of its success, with praise for his flow and lyricism.[3][7]

In 2016, Curtismith performed at the Wanderland Music and Arts Festival.[8] He then spoke at a TedxTalk in the Philippines.[9][4] He also got to perform in front of Richard Branson when he came to the country for a forum.[10] Before the following year, he founded his own record label, Ideal Records.[11]

Curtismith released his second EP in 2017, Soully Yours, about a toxic relationship and how he got out of that relationship.[12] He was then included in a collaboration project by Coca-Cola called Coke Studio PH with Noel Cabangon.[13][14] He also featured on "Does She Know" by Kiana V and "Devil" by The Morning Episodes which also featured Leanne from Leanne & Naara.[15][16] In December of that year, he performed at the Wonderfruit Festival in Thailand.[2][17]

In 2019, Curtismith signed with indie label Careless Music, which was owned by James Reid. He released a single that year, "Soju".[4] He also featured on Kiana V's solo album.[18] In December of that year, he and Reid performed at the Overpass Music Festival in California.[19] In 2020, he performed at the Smart Gigafest Virtual Concert.[20] He also collaborated with the Department of Tourism on the tourism ad "Abakada".[21] He then left the label as he wanted more creative freedom.[1]

Curtismith then signed with indie label Pool Records, which was founded by crwn.[22] On July 30, 2021, he released his debut album, Museo, which featured the single "Downtown as Fruits".[23] He released it in partnership with the Pintô Art Museum, where he held a multisensory exhibition featuring local artists as a visual interpretation of his album.[22][24] He also featured on PARADISE RISING's compilation album Semilucent 2, with his collaboration with CA Christian Alexander "Black Hearts".[25] In 2023, he collaborated with Kiana V once again on "I Want To Be Here”, a song advocating for mental health.[26] He also released the single "Night Run".[27] In 2024, he featured on crwn's Séance album.[28]

Artistry

Curtismith is influenced by Western music.[7] These include Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, J. Cole, Joey Bada$$, and the band The Internet.[2][6] Specifically, Lamar's albums Section 80 and To Pimp a Butterfly are very influential to him.[29][24] Frank Ocean is also an influence to him for his "soulful music", which he wants to branch out to.[2][30]

Although hip hop is known as a socially conscious genre, Curtismith's songs focus more on feelings of "hopes, dreams, ideals, and frustrations" more than setting a "political agenda" or sounding "street". He uses his songs to express his situation in that moment in time.[7] His EP Soully Yours focused on infatuation and heartbreak.[2] When producing music, he focuses on the beat first.[6][7] He also tries to explore other genres aside from hip hop, as seen in his collaboration with Cabangon.[14][30] One of those genres is jazz, as it has influenced his earlier works.[24][31]

Other ventures

In 2016, Curtismith was announced as the brand ambassador for the clothing brand Human.[7] He was a major part of their marketing campaign alongside model-athlete Maureen Schrijvers.[29] In the 2020s, he picked up a day job working in publishing to support his music.[31]

Curtismith is an advocate for fighting Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC), working with non-government organizations on this issue.[4] He also has a feeding program for children.[30] He is also an advocate for mental health.[26]

Personal life

Curtismith is in a live-in relationship with Leila Alcasid, the eldest daughter of OPM singer Ogie Alcasid.[1] They had been dating since 2019.[4] In September 2024, in her Instagram, Alcasid announced their engagement.[32]

Curtismith is friends with Congressman Sandro Marcos, grandson of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, as they had known each other since high school. Their friendship has caused netizens to label him a "Marcos apologist". He debunked those claims with a diss track aimed at them.[30]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Museo (2021)

EPs

  • Failing Forward (2016)
  • Soully Yours (2017)[33]
  • Dining Table (2019)

Mixtapes

  • Ideal (2015)

Singles

  • "LDR"
  • "Splash"
  • "Soju"
  • "Downtown as Fruits"
  • "Does She Know" (song by Kiana Valenciano)[15]
  • "This Is Our Life Now" (song by Sleep Talker)[34]
  • "Devil" (song by The Morning Episodes and Leanne)[16]
  • "Black Hearts" (song by PARADISE RISING and CA Christian Alexander)[25]
  • "Keep it Secret" (song by Kiana V)[18]
  • "Nothing to Do" (song by Claudia Barretto)[35]
  • "I Want To Be Here” (song by Kiana V and Nix Damn P)[26]
  • "Rooftops in Paris" (song by crwn)[28]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Salterio, Leah C. (February 18, 2023). "Curtismith, Leila Alcasid take relationship to next level". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Why is Curtismith's Name Curtismith? - When In Manila". www.wheninmanila.com. December 22, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Pascual, Jam (November 5, 2015). "Electric dreams | Philstar.com". www.philstar.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Tabanera, Lily Grace (March 6, 2021). "Who Is Leila Alcasid's Boyfriend Mito Fabie, AKA Curtismith?". Cosmo.ph. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  5. ^ Marquez, Victoria (April 26, 2016). "Collective Crush: LOGICLUB". Preview.ph. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Curtismith: Straight Outta Manila". Status Magazine. February 5, 2016. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Curtismith is redefining the confessional aspect of rap". CNN. June 24, 2016. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  8. ^ "Saab Magalona of Cheats, Jensen and the Flips, and other bands represent OPM at Wanderland 2016". Pep.ph. March 9, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  9. ^ TEDx Talks (March 8, 2016). The Merits of Failure | Mito Fabie | TEDxTaftAve. Retrieved September 14, 2024 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "Get to Know: Curtismith, the Rapper Whose Song Impressed Renowned Philanthropist Richard Branson". ABS-CBN Corporation. May 26, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  11. ^ "WATCH: Curtismith gets a 2017 head start with first music video 'Snow Obsidian' under new label Ideal Records". Bandwagon Asia. December 24, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  12. ^ "WATCH: Hip-hop artist Curtismith on rapping about heartbreak - CNN Philippines". February 14, 2017. Archived from the original on May 31, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  13. ^ "Coke Studio Philippines". coca-cola.com.ph. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  14. ^ a b Coke Studio Philippines (July 29, 2017). "Coke Studio PH Episode 1: Noel Cabangon X Curtismith - YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  15. ^ a b "WATCH: KIANA VALENCIANO Teases "Does She Know" Music Video!". myx. March 14, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  16. ^ a b Philippines, Billboard (November 17, 2017). "Miguel Escueta Explains Why He Paused Flourishing Music Career and His Return With 'Devil': Interview". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  17. ^ "Curtismith, Hernandez Brothers to perform at Wonderfruit 2017". RAPPLER. September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Borja, Jacque De (March 1, 2019). "Kiana Valenciano performed her new tracks during the exclusive launch party!". Preen.ph. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  19. ^ "James Reid, Curtismith to perform in California music festival". Rappler.com. December 22, 2019. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  20. ^ Singh, Surej (September 24, 2020). "James Reid, Nadine Lustre to headline Philippines' GigaFest Virtual Concert". NME. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  21. ^ "WATCH: The Department of Tourism's New Ad Highlights Unique Filipino Culture - When In Manila". www.wheninmanila.com. March 3, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Curtismith Marks Pool Records Debut With 'MUSEO' Album". HipHopDX. July 30, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  23. ^ Domingo, Danielle (July 16, 2021). "Curtismith Releases Electronic-Funky Track, "DownTown as Fruits"". MYX Global. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Golangco, Lauren. "Mito Fabie on Authenticity as Curtismith: "Any Artist With Integrity Has My Support"". Tatler Asia. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "PARADISE RISING continues to break new ground with new compilation album, semilucent 2". MANILA CONCERT SCENE. October 4, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  26. ^ a b c Bonoan, Christian (January 27, 2023). "Kiana V, Nix Damn P, & Curtismith Release 'I Want To Be Here'". MYX Global. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  27. ^ Bonoan, Christian (February 14, 2023). "Curtismith Talks Easy Love on 'Night Run'". MYX Global. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Best Albums And EPs Of 2024 (So Far) — Staff Picks". billboardphilippines.com. June 24, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Tiozon, Toff (October 21, 2016). "Curtismith talks the talk". Lifestyle.INQ. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  30. ^ a b c d Celera, Lex. "Mito Fabie answers all the questions we want to ask Curtismith". Scout Magazine. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Sound Fiesta — Iñigo Zobel by Curtismith". purveyr.com. February 20, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  32. ^ Ramos, Jansen (September 30, 2024). "Leila Alcasid engaged to indie rapper Curtismith". GMA Network. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  33. ^ "Soully Yours – EP". iTunes Store. February 13, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  34. ^ "This is Our Life Now". iTunes Store. July 28, 2017.
  35. ^ Peters, Daniel (June 21, 2021). "Claudia Barretto shares dreamy music video for 'Nothing To Do', featuring Curtismith". NME. Retrieved September 14, 2024.