The viral sensation “Hawak Mo Ang Beat” has taken social media by storm, but its creator, DJ Mogo, is setting the record straight: no artificial intelligence was used to create the hit track.
French musician Sylvain Amazir Hernandez, the man behind the DJ Mogo moniker, recently addressed netizen speculation that the song’s unique vocal texture was the result of AI generation. Despite the “vocal warbling” some listeners pointed out, DJ Mogo insists the track was crafted through traditional, albeit high-standard, electronic production.
While he is happy to talk about the beats, the identity of the vocalist remains a closely guarded secret. When asked if he was the one singing or if someone else was behind the mic, Hernandez remained cryptic.
“For now, the secret will stay a secret, and then let’s see the way that the song will take,” he said in a recent interview.
The song’s infectious rhythm is a cultural hybrid. Hernandez explained that the musicality was inspired by the “cha-cha of Leyte” and the heavy, energetic “Budots” style of the Philippines. The creative process involved his Filipina wife, who helped bridge the gap between his French origins and the local sound that has resonated with millions.
The track gained massive momentum after TikTok star Ian Mark Kamangkang launched a dance challenge, which has since seen participation from big-name celebrities like Charo Santos-Concio, Fyang Smith, and Cassy Legaspi.
As of late March, DJ Mogo has surpassed 261,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. While the credits list Hernandez as the main artist, composer, and producer, the mystery of the “secret singer” continues to fuel online discussions and fan theories.
Whether the voice is a real person or a heavily processed performance, one thing is clear: DJ Mogo has successfully captured the “beat” of the digital age.