he past year has not been as kind to the career of actor-rapper Carlos Agassi as previous ones due to shake-ups in his mother network, ABS-CBN. If before he was lead star in two, three weekly TV show, he's now down to doing support roles in "Bora" and "A.S.A.P" even as his contract with Star Records stays in limbo.

So what to do in down times like these? For Carlos, he claims his own victories.

Recently, he released "Amir" his third rap album produced independently via his own Amir Carlos, Incorporated. Bannered by two promotional tracks, "Señorita" and "Alay Ko," "Amir" has been steadily gaining ground in retail (more than a thousand copies sold during first week of release) thanks to Carlos' untiring efforts to promote it on radio, TV and live shows abroad with his group, The Hunks.

More important to the artist, though, is the respect he has gained from the local rap community who, in the past, scoffed at his mettle and credibility.

"I now get compliments from people who used to laugh behind my back," he says during an interview at Italianni's Restaurant in Glorietta 2. "The best I heard so far is that they did not recognize my new sound at all when they first heard it. They thought my songs were done by some foreign artist. It's a good feeling to be acknowledged for one's true worth."

Key to Carlos' success for "Amir" was his decision to get Gloc 9 as producer. The latter, well respected by peers and public from both mainstream and underground scene, selflessly guided the buff rapper in finding a sound uniquely his own and one to reckon with.

"From the songwriting to recording, Gloc 9 was the perfectionist that produced results," Carlos says. "He also told and showed me things that I never knew before as a rapper that would've helped me then. Among these were how I could rap live without tiring myself, how to do rapid phrasing and how to write rhymes that hit home. I am more confident now with my artistry thanks to Gloc."

Apart from the music-making aspect, Carlos also learned about the business side of recording through his independent venture.

"Hindi pala basta-basta ang paggawa ng album," he says. "Its success is not determined just by having a good product on record shelves. Kelangan mo din palang maging matyaga in seeking avenues to get it heard."

He adds: " At kelangan din ng pera. (laughs) I have just begun promoting ‘Amir' but my expenses are already in seven-digits! Sa paggawa pa lang ng mga music videos, malaki na agad ang nilabas ko . Fortunately, I have Gold's Gym, Derm Clinic, FCUK, Dolce and Gabanna and other sponsors to help me out. If I'm not serious with this, malamang umatras na lang ako ."

But that is far from happening. After all, there is nobler aim behind the push being given to "Amir."

" Gusto kong makatulong sa mga talented rappers out there who, for some reason or another, have not been given breaks by the industry. Hopefully, I not only recoup my investments here but make modest profit, too, so I could bankroll other deserving artists' albums," ends he.

Other tracks in "Amir" are "True," "Nagbago Ka" and "Amir."

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