Rapper Paul N Ballin opens up about his dual persona and journey in music

Filipino rapper Paul N Ballin, one of Spotify RADAR Philippines’ featured artists for 2026, is gaining attention not just for his strong stage presence but also for the contrast between his onstage persona and his real-life personality. Known for his hit track “POGI,” he presents a bold, confident, and intense image when performing, describing himself as going into “beast mode” to captivate audiences. However, offstage, he is soft-spoken, polite, and grounded, showing a completely different side of himself.

Paul’s musical journey started early, influenced by his father who was active in church music. While he joined singing contests as a child, he eventually found his passion in rap, inspired not by mainstream artists but by underground rappers in Makati. He emphasizes the importance of community in his career, crediting close friends and collaborators like Sordan and Playboy Baby, who supported him from the beginning and grew alongside him in the industry.

Despite his rising success, Paul faced personal struggles, including a period of depression that caused him to withdraw from others. With the help of his friends, he managed to recover and refocus on his music. He began his solo career in 2021 after his group Psychedelic Boyz disbanded during the pandemic.

His breakthrough came with “POGI,” a song released in 2023 that only gained popularity two years later through social media. The unexpected success opened new opportunities, including brand collaborations and media appearances, and helped him overcome financial difficulties and debt.

Now, as more listeners discover his work beyond “POGI,” Paul hopes people will look past his tough image and understand his authentic self. He reminds fans that artists often play characters on stage, but behind it all, he remains simply Paul.