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Barbie Almalbis releases new synth-pop single “Wicked Heart”
The award-winning singer-songwriter finds herself reflecting on misguided actions based on emotions
Photo credit: Nina Sandejas
Multi-awarded singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis wraps up her tremendous year in music with the release of “Wicked Heart,” her new single under 12 Stone Records and Sony Music Entertainment.
Barbie’s new song reflects on the repercussions of making rash decisions out of emotion. According to Barbie, “Wicked Heart” also presents the rhetoric that while our desires and emotions are a beautiful part of who we are and how we experience life, there must be something “truer” than the heart.
The Dahilan artist recalls a personal experience in the past involving a misguided action that she regretted doing.
“I was thinking about how following your heart can lead to trouble sometimes,” the Filipino alt-rock icon explains. “I want to follow my heart, but it’s always changing its mind. It’s definitely something I’ve personally been through, but it also takes inspiration from the verse in Jeremiah 17:9: The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Written and produced by Barbie Almalbis herself, with JorelCorpus and Jett Galindo on mixing and mastering duties, respectively, “Wicked Heart” hits the high mark with its refreshing mix of ‘80s influences and pastel synths. Delivering a whopper of a pop anthem, Barbie initially penned the track on a “guitalele” to harness a different dimension and vibe.
Barbie reveals, “Writing on a new, different instrument makes the process feel exciting and fresh sometimes. As the song progressed, I realized I didn’t hear much guitar in it, so I asked my bandmate Nikko Rivera to fill the whole thing with keys and synth parts, and he sent me like 10 layers of things. I just added a little bit of guitar later on, so that I’ll have something to do when we play it live. Karel played bass on it, and Jonard played the drums.”
Barbie Almalbis recently celebrated her 25th year in the music scene with a concert chronicling her career as one of the most influential figures in Pinoy alternative rock. She also recently released her debut solo record, Parade, on vinyl for the first time. To date, Almalbis is working on new songs and collaborations for future releases.
“Wicked Heart” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide.
Follow Barbie Almalbis on socials: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Source: Nyou
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ASIAN HIP-HOP ROYALTY AWICH REVEALS STUNNING MUSIC VIDEO FOR "THE UNION"
November 2nd, 2023 – Japanese hip-hop Queen Awich has revealed the video for "The Union", the title track from her recently released album.
Directed by Hideto Hotta, the video was shot in Awich’s hometown of Okinawa. The dance performed in the video represents an important part of Okinawan culture which stems from when Okinawa was its own country called Ryukyu Kingdom. When the Japanese took over, the people were condemned to practice anything representing the original culture. That included art, martial arts, tattoos, music, and more. The dance Awich performs in the video was originally a style of martial arts that was then disguised as a dance. Years later, after WWII, Okinawa was placed under the control of the United States until 50 years ago when Okinawa was returned to Japan.
In addition to the nod to Okinawa's history and stunning visuals, the video also gives a glimpse into the mind of Japan’s biggest hip-hop star and features her daughter Toyomi.
The Union' is her latest album since her previous LP 'Queendom' was released on March 4, 2022 and 'United Queens EP' that was released earlier this year, which included an all-female set of featured artists. Fans can listen to 'The Union' here: music.empi.re/theunion
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Featured on VOGUE, Tatler Asia, Hypebeast, iD Japan and more...
"Her hard-knocking and relentless sonic outlook of female empowerment has made her a predominant figure of Asian women in rap and a bridge between the
musical landscape of the East and West."
– Hypebeast
“queen of Japanese Hip-Hop here to put a flag, marking her place in the culture.”
– AllHipHop
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Awich, short for “Asia Wish Child,” taken from her birth name “Akiko,” is a name she created to reflect her roots. A child growing up on her home island of Okinawa, Awich would stay up through the night writing poetry about varieties of things such as love, life, the universe, and more. Her first encounter with hip-hop was listening to Tupac’s 'All Eyez on Me' when she was 13 and began writing rhymes and learning to rap. By the time she turned 14, she was rapping and recording on cassette tapes. She relocated to Atlanta to attend college and during her time stateside, she married and gave birth to her daughter. In 2011, her husband was murdered which led Awich to return to Japan with her young daughter in tow, having to deal with the aftermath of this tragedy. The intense process of introspection during this period was cathartic and helped her to find profound meaning in life, love and forgiveness.
Awich has since risen above her circumstances and channelled her experiences into art, evolving into the "badass female rapper" (Flaunt Magazine) that we see today. She flows freely between English, Japanese and Okinawan, enchanting millions of fans with her deep vocals and effortless cadence.
Earlier this year she performed at the very first iteration of Rolling Loud Thailand alongside artists like Cardi B, Lil Uzi Vert, and many more. Not only is she known as Japan's hip-hop queen – Awich's status as a fashion icon also reigns supreme. She has been featured on international outlets such as VOGUE, Hypebae, GQ, Harper's Bazaar and more.
Following the release of 'The Union', Awich will be releasing an album in English in early 2024 with US touring to follow.
Stream 'The Union' here: music.empi.re/theunion
For more information: Secret Signals
Follow Awich: Twitter | Instagram | Tik Tok
Source: Secret Signals
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Filipino R&B star JP Bacallan drops “Señorita,” his debut single under Sony Music Entertainment
The sultry banger shows admiration over someone’s irresistible charm
Filipino newcomer JP Bacallan swoons over someone’s beauty on "Señorita,” out today via Sony Music Entertainment.
With soulful vocals sliding down effortlessly on a delicate mix of Latin-inspired grooves, acoustic guitars, and sensuous percussions, the R&B single shows JP Bacallan at his most confident, showcasing the versatility of his instrument.
The budding singer-songwriter dedicates the track to someone dear to his heart. “I want to lift her up and let her realize how precious she is to me,” says the charismatic crooner. “I personally wrote this song as my way of expressing appreciation.”
Produced by his constant collaborator Nexxfriday, “Señorita” projects an energy that is undeniably charming but filled with so much passion and soul. From the moment the instrumentation drops, it becomes even clearer that the song will set fire to the dancefloor and encourage every listener to join in the ecstatic fun.
“Our normal process for creating a song is that he will give me the beat, and once I feel the vibe, I will write down all my thoughts,” JP Bacallan shares.
“Señorita” is the official debut project of JP Bacallan under Sony Music Entertainment. Before getting signed by a major record label, Bacallan has racked up close to a hundred million views on YouTube. He has worked with some of the biggest names in Pinoy hiphop, including Gloc-9 and Pricetagg. The Pasig-based artist also made a strong impression on mainstream television as one of the contestants of Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan, where he wowed the audience with his compelling singing style and sultry tone.
JP Bacallan’s "Señorita” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Source: Nyou
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BENJAMIN KHENGRELEASES "SHARED TRAUMA" WITH KEENAN TE
ALBUM 'GLOOMY BOOGIE VOL. 2' COMING SOON
Photo Credit: Barnabas Chua
October 27th, 2023 – Multi-talented Singaporean singer Benjamin Kheng has released his highly-anticipated first single from 'GLOOMY BOOGIE Vol. 2', "Shared Trauma," featuring Australian artist Keenan Te. Listen here: benjaminkheng.lnk.to/sharedtrauma
"Shared Trauma" is the first single of 'GLOOMY BOOGIE Vol. 2', the final part of Benjamin Kheng's two-part album. The first part, Vol. 1, was unveiled earlier this year in August.
The song was written by both Benjamin Kheng and Keenan Te, and produced by Los Angeles-based rising producer, Rence. The mixing and mastering was done by two-time Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum engineer from New York City, Joe Grasso.
Accompanying the release of "Shared Trauma" is a music video directed by frequent collaborator Barnabas Chua of Murk & Marrows. The video features both Benjamin and Keenan in a retro living room set. The video maintains a cheeky and playful tone despite the song's heavier subject matter, keeping with the paradoxical “gloomy boogie” theme of the upcoming album.
Benjamin Kheng - "Shared Trauma ft. Keenan Te" (Official Music Video)
The inspiration behind "Shared Trauma" comes from the strong emotional bonding between individuals who have experienced similar trauma.
“I'm no licensed therapist, but as someone who started a relationship with good ol’ trauma bonding, I’d say please don't do that. It's much better as a song, though. That's what ‘Shared Trauma’ is about - there's something poetic about the feeling of mutual sinking and the polarity of finding new love through old wounds, which was fun to play up in the lyrics, as well as the music arrangement around a darker subject matter,” shares Benjamin.
Keenan Te, a versatile singer-songwriter from Australia and a friend of Benjamin's, shares his enthusiasm for the project: “Absolutely love working with Ben, not only is he a good friend but a great artist which makes working together so easy! The song is super fun and I am so proud of it.”
“Initial song drafts were straight-up ballads, but I wanted to mess it up with a messy bass line, which gave the song new life. Keenan was the perfect co-pilot for this, from writing all the way to having him on the track. His pocket of infectious melodies is unmatched, and he's such a giving performer and amazing human being,” shares Benjamin on working with Keenan.
About Benjamin Kheng
Benjamin Kheng is a Singaporean artist who has made a name for himself as a versatile musician. Making his debut into the music industry in 2012, he is best known as one of the founding members of the pop-rap music group The Sam Willows, performing globally in the Canadian Music Festival in Toronto, Singapore F1 Grand Prix 2013 and more. In 2019, he officially returned to music as a solo artist. Releasing his first single, "Wicked", "Find Me" and "Lovers Forever". He was also honoured several times during his career for his exceptional talent and contributions to the music industry, receiving the Youth Music Award for Best Male Artist in 2019 and most recently being nominated for an AWIT award in the Philippines for Best Global Collaboration for his track “Good For A Time” with Filipino artist Bea Lorenzo. Apart from being a household name in his home country, Kheng has gained recognition throughout the greater Asia region for his music, with the Philippines being his top streaming country followed by Taiwan and then Malaysia.
Stream "Shared Trauma" here: https://benjaminkheng.lnk.to/sharedtrauma
FOR MORE INFORMATION
SECRET SIGNALS
FOLLOW BENJAMIN KHENG
Source: Secret Signals
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Denise Julia turns up the heat with R&B banger “B.A.D.,” featuring P-Lo
The sensual track empowers women to be confident about themselves
Filipino R&B sensation Denise Julia returns with an upbeat banger that encourages young women to embrace their sexuality and feel confident about themselves. On “B.A.D.,” the rising phenom finds inspiration in writing an empowering track with delicate, pulsing rhythms and sensual undertones.
“The inspiration for the lyrics came about spontaneously,” shares the chart-topping siren. “I was freestyling on some beats when I came across a beat from an overseas producer based in Nigeria. We had collaborated on previous tracks, and this particular beat had a distinct R&B vibe I was searching for, and it was incredibly catchy.”
A departure from her usual style, Denise Julia’s “B.A.D.” reveals a significant step forward in terms of songwriting and production. The viral hitmaker takes pride in how the song showcases a more assured version of herself, not afraid to flesh out sprawling ideas and tackle more mature, out-of-the-box themes.
“I want B.A.D. to be the song you play when you want to feel confident, pretty, and to embrace your sexuality,” she explains. “It aligns with my goal of creating music that makes people feel beautiful and empowered, stemming from my past experiences of feeling out of place due to my appearance.”
“B.A.D.” is produced by constant collaborator JOEL from Nigeria, who has worked with the promising newcomer on her previous song “bum 2 me.” According to Denise Julia, JOEL has a knack for delivering edgy and sultry R&B music that embodies everything unassumingly cool about the genre.
Co-producers Duane, J. Greg, and Steelo came in to provide final touches to the production, resulting in an explosive earworm with the past and present becoming more seamlessly intertwined.
The song also features rapper P-Lo, whose style and flow complement Julia’s incredible vocal chops. The “NVMD” songstress adds, “My manager, John Vincent Salcedo,knew him and reached out, and he sent over a verse. We collaborated on refining the final version, and he delivered an excellent, catchy verse that fits the song perfectly.”
Denise Julia’s new single serves as a precursor to some music-related plans in the pipeline. According to the R&B/soul newcomer, she is set to release a mini album soon, which will give a taste of what’s to come with her full-length album.
“Additionally, I have numerous shows lined up for this year,” the young songstress shares. “After taking a break to focus on the music, I'm thrilled to be back on the road and can't wait to share the music with my fans. This mini album and the upcoming full-length album will be filled with pure R&B goodness.”
Denise Julia’s “B.A.D.” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.Special thanks to Denise Julia's manager, John Vincent Salcedo and Carissa King, the creative director for all visuals assigned to the project.
Source: Nyou
Shoti reflects on Gen Z romance with new track “waiting 4 u (delulu)”
The singer-songwriter/producer reflects on the unrealistic expectations about relationships in this new bedroom bop
After gaining traction with his official debut track “LDR,” whose viral activity on TikTok fueled its popularity in Southeast Asia big time, Filipino bedroom pop artist Shotiwastes no time in releasing another slowcore bop that shows another emotional side of him.
His new single “waiting 4 u (delulu)” serves as a commentary for those individuals who find themselves in relationships without clear labels. Drawing from acoustic instrumentation with laid-back dreaminess, he delivers a candid remark about the state of young love in the time of Discord and digital nativity.
The breakout star provides an insightful observation about the trend prevalent among youngsters these days. “They share a deep connection and spend a lot of time together, yet they haven't established official boyfriend-girlfriend status,” he shares. “In today's generation, I've observed that many people, particularly from Gen Z, tend to have unrealistic expectations about relationships that may not align with reality. They yearn for a type of relationship that may not actually exist.”
To make things more special, Shoti penned the track in English and Cebuano, reflecting the beautiful nuances of his branding through a no-filter lens. He adds, “I compose songs spontaneously, and the Cebuano elements in my music flow naturally. I cherish its uniqueness, setting my songs apart. In the future, I plan to incorporate Filipino/Tagalog to enrich my musical expressions further.”
He also self-produced the track in the comfort of his own bedroom, doing everything on his own terms as far as creative direction is concerned. After completing the process, Shoti asks for valuable feedback from his mom and friends, who, in return, help him polish his work from the perspective of an outsider.
“I’ve always enjoyed the process of creating, writing, and recording my own songs at my own pace and space,” says the Cebu-based artist. “I take the artform seriously, and I take pride in the fact that it comes from a place of vulnerability and rawness.”
“waiting 4 u (delulu)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Source: Nyou
The Magic of Music and Storytelling:Sony Music Entertainment and SPARK! release an empowering documentary for girls
The Magic of Music and Storytelling:
Sony Music Entertainment and SPARK! release an empowering documentary for girls
(From L to R, Sofia Abrogar of Any Name’s Okay; Hazel Faith; Jennifer Goldstein, Asst. Cultural Affairs Officer, US Embassy in the Philippines; Roslyn Pineda, General Manager, Sony Music Philippines; Diane Romero, Executive Director, J. Amado Araneta Foundation; MaicaTeves, Executive Director, SPARK!; Carmen del Prado, Sine Niña Director)
Manila, Philippines, October 26, 2023 – “There is always light,” says 21-year old Irish Miras, as she remembers the trauma she experienced as a child. Her voice is soft, her words strong. “If I could talk to my younger self, I would tell her: ‘We are alive. We are doing okay.’”
Irish is one of four young women featured in the documentary Sine Niña, a film that showcases the unique stories of women across the Philippines. Each story is set to inspire, uplift, and empower audiences—as well as start important conversations around equality, purpose, and mental health.
The film is the culmination of a partnership between SPARK! (Samahan ng mga Pilipina Para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran), an NGO committed to the development of women and women’s organizations; and Sony Music Group’s Global Social Justice Fund, which provides grants to projects that support social justice and anti-racist initiatives around the world. The partnership harnesses the power of storytelling, using music and film to highlight women’s rights and advocacies.
Directed by Carmen del Prado, Sine Niña, was scored by Pat Lasaten and Agnes Reoma of Ben&Ben, and features songs by Ben&Ben, Barbie Almalbis, Hazel Faith, and Any Name’s Okay.
The film made its debut last October 18 at Gateway Cinema 6 in Quezon City, with hundreds of students in attendance. The screening featured a panel discussion, as well as performances by Sony Music Entertainment (SME) artists Kai Buizon and Hazel Faith.
The screening was scheduled to coincide with “International Day of the Girl,” a day of observance which seeks to unite and empower adolescent girls, while providing them with more opportunities—an objective that director Carmen del Prado kept close to heart while making the film. “To quote [one of the girls in the film,] ‘It’s a story about a hundred other girls out there choosing passion over practicality,’” del Prado says. “So here’s to women supporting women!”
Roslyn Pineda, General Manager, Sony Music Philippines, could not agree more: “Sony Music Entertainment is dedicated to empowering and elevating all members of societies where we have a presence. We are committed to bridging gaps in society and look forward to the long-term impact of Sine Niña in helping unlock the potential of young women in the Philippines,” she says. “Together, let us build a future where every young woman can claim her rightful place and contribute to the progress of our society.”
Other partners of Sine Niña are: The US Embassy in the Philippines, The J. Amado Araneta Foundation, Girls Got Game, the Quezon City Government, and the Taguig City Government.
Sine Niña will be available to stream on the SPARK! YouTube channel by the end of the month. It will also be screened in schools nationwide.
About The Sony Global Social Justice Fund
The Sony Global Social Justice Fund was created in 2020, with the goal of helping fight racial and social injustice worldwide. In just two years, the Fund has pledged 71% of the $100 million it has committed, helping over 400 community organizations worldwide involved in civic engagement, environmental justice, criminal justice reform, and education.
About Sony Music Entertainment
At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. And we form deep, trusted,
cause-based partnerships to uplift and empower communities around the world. Sony Music Entertainment is part of the global Sony family. Learn more about our creators and labelshere.
Source: Nyou