OPINION: Amid AI concerns, KMJS’ ‘Hawak Mo Ang Beat’ feature is all soft moves, zero pitik

Why KMJS’ feature on ‘Hawak Mo Ang Beat’ failed the music industry.

The viral earworm “Hawak Mo Ang Beat” is a prime suspect of AI use. As if that isn’t problematic already, GMA Network’s “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” gave its initiator a glowing feature with no real scrutiny.

The March 22 feature opens with high energy: TikTokers dancing, pranking their relatives, and holding “punny” props. It’s fun and easy.

Then comes DJ Mogo—Sylvain Hernandez, a French national based in Leyte—explaining how he came up with the catchy lyrics. He says he started “with some French words” before asking his wife for help. “The musicality came, the beats arrived, the words arrived,” he adds, as if the song assembled itself.

As for the track’s mysterious vocalist? Only a smug, pa-showbiz quip from Sylvain: “Well, for now, I think the secret will stay a secret.”

The secret vocalist and the AI allegations

KMJS offers a counterpoint that lasts for 27 seconds. Gian Vergel of the UST Conservatory of Music calls it out plainly: “It’s obviously AI… Mas napapadali ang trabaho, mas madali na mag-profit. Unfair talaga ‘yon.”

But instead of pressing further, KMJS quickly pivots back to Sylvain: “It’s not AI at all… I did it in a very, very simple way to reflect the feelings that I have.” Without any follow-up or pushback, the segment goes back to the dance craze, this time spotlighting Pitik Queen Ian Mark Kamangkang. It’s all feel-good storytelling and all “pitik with soft moves”—no hard-hitting questions.

That didn’t sit well with composer Lolito Go. In a March 27 video, he said, “Hindi naman kasi sana masama kung inamin niya lang na AI-assisted itong kanta… pero parang pinapalabas kasi… na siya mismo ‘yong gumawa.” He also questioned why the show would give Sylvain a platform “to propagate lies,” calling it a “missed opportunity for KMJS na kilala sa pagiging panig sa katotohanan.”

To be sure, Lolito isn’t anti-AI. In February, he told ABS-CBN News that the technology can be used for demos and pitch ideas. But he emphasized that real musicians and singers must record the song, as it “cannot be AI until the end.”

Identity vs. innovation

Artists themselves aren’t rejecting innovation either. As SB19’s Pablo put it, AI is a “very powerful tool,” but “not at the expense na ninanakaw na ‘yong identity ng mga artists.” He added, “Sana ‘yong mga gumagawa pa ng ganitong mga innovation, dapat mas panatilihin pa nila ‘yong rules. Or maging strict sila pagdating sa paggamit.”

It isn’t just about one viral track. It’s an ongoing issue on authorship, labor, honesty, accountability, and humanity, especially since many Filipino artists are fighting—and still fighting—to be valued.

And as for its recent outing, KMJS—given its stature as an award-winning show hosted by a veteran broadcast journalist—was all soft moves and zero pitik.