From Bali to Cebu: ALYSON is Back Home, Teases Upcoming Regional Tour

Photo by Lorenz Torres, September Fever Cebu PH

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—PH City pop band and Manila sound fusion ALYSON is back home in the metro after their debut performances at AXEAN FESTIVAL in Bali, Indonesia and September Fever in Cebu, Philippines. Teases possible region-wide bar tour to bring the music closer to more ALYSTANS in Luzon. 

ALYSON has been carving out a distinct place in the local music scene over the years, becoming a go-to name in the indie scene for their signature take on both Japanese City Pop and the ever-so classic Manila Sound, and their dynamic, genre-spanning sonic library. Hailing from Quezon City, the jazz-pop, sharp-suited sensations made their mark with their debut album, DEFINITELY LOVE!, earning recognition from major music media outlets including Billboard Philippines and Billboard Georgia’s NEXT GEN campaign. With a sound and style distinctly their own, ALYSON continues to make waves both onstage and beyond the local scene—and their recent trip to Indonesia and Cebu is just the beginning of their global takeover. 

The blue-suited players of ALYSON are Pio Ligot on vocals and rhythm guitar, Luis Uy on lead guitar, Marcus Mababangloob on drums, Miguel Erfe on bass and Easel Manes on keyboard. 

Photo by Aldhy (@aldy_pranata), AXEAN Music Festival 

AXEAN Music Festival in Bali, Indonesia was their first stop right after the release of their sophomore album “AFTER OURS”, where the band explored and incorporated the Manila Sound genre more and refined their music to be more conceptual and streamlined with a narrative akin to a “teleserye” or a “KDrama”. Before the international stage in Bali, the band showcased “AFTER HOURS” in the metro by mounting an album release party last July of this year. Right after all the frills and celebrations amongst the usual haunts, off the band flew to Indonesia and Cebu to bring the ALYSON experience to new eyes and ears. 

“It was a dream to be able to play outside the Philippines,” shared by Marcus when asked about what the band felt performing abroad. “We’ve said it time and again how we draw from Japanese and even Indonesian music and the parallels we have with our own musical history, so being able to play on a stage that reflects that is a huge thing for us.” In line with this, Mababangloob shared a lot of his discoveries while mingling with fellow ASEAN music lovers, artists and delegates at the AXEAN Music Festival. He states his surprise on how the PH scene and its neighboring islands have a lot in common on how the country values music, may it be local and international, coining this epiphany as a “spider-verse” of some sort. He also cites the reaction of the audiences in Bali as one of the most memorable experiences from the band as they also felt a warmth similar to their usual PH audience, which in turn allowed them to groove throughout their set. 

As for the September Fever stage in Cebu, the drummer notices a significant difference yet a comfortability in the vibe as well. A “homecourt we never knew”, Mababangloob mentions. “I felt like a lot of the crowd knew our music and were fans despite us never playing there before.” Cementing the power of music to transcend beyond borders. The Cebu crowd enjoyed the ALYSON so much, there was even a fan that electrified the Cebuano audiences more by acting as an “unofficial” dance instructor for their set. “He got everyone dancing in a way that got us even more hype. A real treat,” he notes. “We really felt the love from everyone.”From performing in two stages, both different in varying degrees yet both just as huge, in such a short amount of time, these milestones from the band have helped them re-affirm their musical identities and how their music creates a relationship with people, with Marcus stating the band’s desire to be a Filipino band not just contained to their own contexts as carriers of the OPM sound, but a Filipino band that is capable to connect to the greater South East Asian sphere, and beyond! In line with pushing the envelope in terms of performances, an ALYSON Luzon-wide tour is currently in the works, to be made possible by the band’s record label Offshore Music. 

The band will also be performing live at The Cozy Cove in Baguio on September 25. Tickets available here.

Support ALYSON everywhere and every time by streaming “AFTER OURS”, the sophomore album of ALYSON is out now on all digital streaming platforms. About ALYSON

ALYSON is a Filipino band redefining city pop with timeless sound and unforgettable live performances. From Quezon City to global playlists, their debut album DEFINITELY LOVE! earned over 3 million streams, with top listeners in the Philippines, US, and Canada. Known for sharp suits, a fantastic brass section, and the musicality of every member, ALYSON’s shows are more than concerts, they are experiences. Praised by Billboard Philippines and spotlighted by Billboard Georgia’s NEXT GEN campaign in 2025, the band was included in a global list of 24 rising artists alongside acts from Japan, UK, France, and China—recognized for prioritizing album artistry over quick hits, backed by the million-stream success of “Feels So Good”. Their latest single “IKAW LAGI” closes the chapter on DEFINITELY LOVE! and ushers in their sophomore album AFTER OURS; a twilight soundtrack exploring what happens after love’s brightest moments fade. Coming in 2026, AFTER OURS promises to take audiences deeper into ALYSON’s evolving sound.

ALYSON Socials

FB: https://www.facebook.com/AlysonPinas

IG: https://www.instagram.com/alysonpinas

YT: https://youtube.com/@alysonpinas

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@alysonpinas

Source: Nyou

ATLANTIC RECORDS AND ROCKSTAR GAMES ANNOUNCE GRAND THEFT AUTO VI: THE ALBUM

FEATURING 34 EXCLUSIVE NEW TRACKS, INCLUDING SIX SINGLES AVAILABLE TODAY FROM YUNG LEAN; TRAVIS SCOTT; CA7RIEL & PACO AMOROSO, PINKPANTHERESS, FRED AGAIN.., AND ETIENNE DE CRÉCY; MORGAN WALLEN; RAUW ALEJANDRO; KEITH RICHARDS

Pre-order Grand Theft Auto VI: The AlbumHERE

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 17, 2026) – Atlantic Records and Rockstar Games announce Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album, the upcoming official soundtrack album from the biggest, most immersive evolution of the groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto series yet: Grand Theft Auto VI.

Launching November 19 alongside the hotly anticipated game, Grand Theft Auto VI: The Albumfeatures 34 original tracks that capture the electric energy of Grand Theft Auto VI’s world of Vice City and Leonida, with a genre-defying roster of the most exciting and preeminent artists in the world.

Six debut singles are available for streaming today:

• Yung Lean - That's It (feat. Future & Metro Boomin)

• Travis Scott - RHYNO (prod. by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo)

• CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, PinkPantheress, Fred again.., & Etienne de Crécy - Sexy Magic

• Morgan Wallen - Last Thing You Need

• Rauw Alejandro - Macacoa 2000

• Keith Richards - Bright Lights, Big City

This historic partnership will continue the Grand Theft Auto series’ unique ability to introduce the world to new music and subcultures, with each iteration defining the atmosphere of the era and culture for decades to follow. With an established history of producing landmark soundtracks, Atlantic Records has assembled a global roster of today's most meaningful artists, curating wide-ranging original music that deepens the next chapter of the Grand Theft Auto universe.

Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album will arrive alongside the next evolution of the pioneering in-game radio stations, dynamic score, and musical touchpoints that anchor the series.

Available for pre-order today, Grand Theft Auto VI: The Albumwill launch with multiple vinyl and CD offerings, including three Atlantic Records exclusives: a limited-edition liquid-filled vinyl, a splatter edition vinyl, and a CD jewel case – each featuring exclusive new artwork and packaging designs that echo the iconic style of Grand Theft Auto VI, plus various retail exclusives for Blood Records, Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Urban Outfitters, and Indie record stores — each with a distinct vinyl pressing design and poster.

About Atlantic Records

Founded in New York City by Ahmet Ertegün and Herb Abramson in 1947, Atlantic Records has been one of the defining labels in contemporary music for more than 75 years. Built on its legacy as a pioneering independent home for R&B, jazz, and soul, Atlantic has evolved into a global powerhouse representing multi-platinum artists, global superstars, and groundbreaking talent across every genre. As part of Warner Music Group, Atlantic continues to set the standard for artist development, musical innovation, and shaping popular culture through transformative artists and their music. Follow Atlantic Records on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook.

About Rockstar Games

Founded by Sam Houser in 1998, Rockstar Games pioneered the open-world genre of video games with the launch of Grand Theft Auto III in 2001. The series’ most recent iteration, Grand Theft Auto V, has sold-in over 230 million units alone. Alongside the other blockbuster entries in the series including Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto has become one of the biggest-selling and most critically acclaimed and influential properties in modern entertainment, selling nearly475 million units. Rockstar Games’ blockbuster Western series, Red Dead Redemption has sold-in nearly 116 million units worldwide to date, with its most recent release, Red Dead Redemption 2, breaking new ground in fidelity and immersion. The next Rockstar Games release is Grand Theft Auto VI. Follow Rockstar Games onX,Instagram,YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Discord,WhatsApp,TikTok, andBiliBili.

About Grand Theft Auto VI

Vice City, USA. Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a criminal conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida — forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.

Grand Theft Auto VI arrives November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are availablenow.

For more information, please contact:

Janine Fenequito

Warner Music ANZSEA

janine.fenequito@warnermusic.com

beabadoobee acclaimed new album Pylon out now

listen to new single ‘Write Me A Letter’

North America, UK & Europe arena tour this autumn

beabadoobee - 2026 - please credit Erika Kamano  (download high res assets)

beabadoobee has released her hugely anticipated and already-acclaimed new album Pylon, available to stream and buy in digital, CD and vinyl formats via Dirty Hit / InterscopeRecords. Pylon, the follow up to beabadoobee’s UK number 1 record This Is How Tomorrow Moves, is an album that is more wide-ranging and complex than anything that she has ever put out - a tannic rock record that is, at various points, angry, lonesome, ecstatic, depressed and deeply, pathologically in love. 

Listen / buy  Pylon

The album is heralded by new single ‘Write Me A Letter,’ a thrumming indie-rock track featuring production work from Beatrice Laus’ longtime collaborators and labelmates Matty Healy and George Daniel of The 1975. The song is about, says Laus: “seeing my fault in situations, but also admitting things that I would be too embarrassed to say out loud.” ‘Write Me A Letter’ is the kind of song she needed, not wanted, to get out and this album proved the perfect vessel. 

Listen / buy ‘Write Me A Letter’

“I had to write these songs on tour or between tours because I had to understand what was going on in my head,” she says. “It’s this idea of letting go and accepting change. When I was on tour, I was yearning for something, and it made me think: How do I make myself feel comfortable? What does it mean to grow up? I was just missing how things were.” 

The songs here, including the singles ‘Memories’, ‘Switchblade’ and ‘Sun Has Set’, are raw and sometimes uncomfortably real, recalling the Laus who poured her life into songs as a teenager for the world to hear. She says it’s the result of writing alone in hotel rooms, which “reminded me a lot of how I wrote songs at 17, alone in my bedroom, feeling sad as fuck.” 

The album features contributions from a host of artists that teenage Bea could then only dream of collaborating with but now finds as peers, including Hayley Williams, Turnstile singer Brendan Yates, Pinegrove’s Evan Stephens Hall, Deftones’ Chino Moreno and Title Fight’s Shane Moran.

But there are no clear answers, and that’s the point—Laus is, emphatically, past the time in which she thought she could ever have everything figured out. Pylon, for all its turbulent emotions, kind of celebrates that not knowing; its brilliance suggests that sitting with uncertainty can create something immense.

Pylon tracklist

Pylon

Sun Has Set

Estranged

Switchblade

Write Me A Letter

It’s Alright

In Motion

Memories

Nothing To Prove

Radio

Powerlines

Spark

Despite That

Satellite

Listen / buy  Pylon

beabadoobee this week celebrates the release of Pylon with a string of intimate release shows in London, she then returns to North America in October to kick off the Powerlines Tour, her first ever arena run, taking in shows across the continent, before coming to the UK and Europe this autumn-winter. The Powerlines Tour promoted by Live Nation kicks off 1 October and includes stops at Madison Square Garden, The Kia Forum, The O2 Arena and more (full routing below). Tickets are on sale now; visit beabadoobee.com for tickets and tour information.

‘The Powerlines Tour’ Dates

October 1 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena*

October 2 – Philadelphia, PA – Liacouras Center*

October 3 – Boston, MA – TD Garden*

October 5 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden*

October 7 – Toronto, ON, Canada – Scotiabank Arena*

October 8 – Laval, Québec, Canada – Place Bell*

October 10 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion*

October 11 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center*

October 13 – Orlando, FL – Addition Financial Arena*

October 14 – Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena*

October 16 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*

October 17 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater*

October 19 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre*

October 21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum*

October 24 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena*

October 26 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena*

October 28 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena*

October 29 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena*

November 14 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro

November 16 – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena

November 17 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena

November 18 – London, UK – The O2

November 23 – Copenhagen, DK – K.B. Hallen

November 24 – Stockholm, SE – Fryshuset Arenan

November 27 – Oslo, NO – Spektrum

November 30 – Paris, FR – Zenith ~

December 2 – Amsterdam, NL – AFAS Live ~

December 3 – Amsterdam, NL – AFAS Live ~

December 4 – Brussels, BE – Forest National ~

December 6 – Berlin, DE – Tempodrom ~

December 7 – Düsseldorf, DE – Mitsubishi Electric Halle ~

March 15 - Brisbane, AUS - Brisbane Entertainment Centre

March 18 - Melbourne, AUS - Rod Laver Arena

March 20 - Sydney, AUS - Afterpay Arena

support: 

* Wisp

~ Violet Grohl

Born in the Philippines and raised in London, Beatrice Laus emerged as a British alternative music icon across three acclaimed albums and five EPs. She has garnered multiple BRIT Award and BBC Sound Of nominations, and won NME’s Radar award, whilst amassing over 10 billion streams worldwide and more than 12 million followers across her social channels.

This Is How Tomorrow Moves became her first record to reach number 1 on the UK Official Album Chart in 2024, following her Top 10 albums Fake It Flowers (which reached number 8) in 2020 and 2022’s Beatopia (#4). Earlier this year, beabadoobee released the one-off single ‘All I Did Was Dream Of You,’ teaming up with Grammy-nominated Best New Artist The Marías, the result of a longtime mutual creative admiration between María Zardoya and Bea. 

Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | YouTube | Apple Music

PH MEDIA CONTACTS 

blackstar

mabuhay@blackstar.space

RIOT GAMES’ VIRTUAL GROUP HEARTSTEEL RETURNS

NEW SINGLE “LIVE MY LIFE” OUT SEPTEMBER 18

Featuring Anderson .Paak, BAE KHYUN, Connor Price and Nic D, With Songwriting & Production by Jon Bellion

LOS ANGELES -  Riot Games has announced the return of League of Legends’ virtual group HEARTSTEEL with their new single “Live My Life” (Riot Games/Virgin Music Group), out now. The track marks the group's first release since their 2023 breakout debut single, “PARANOIA,” which has amassed over 200M streams across all  platforms.  

HEARTSTEEL is the all-male pop collective in the growing roster of groundbreaking virtual artists within the iconic League of Legends IP. This group of dynamic daredevils reimagines beloved in-game champions as pop-stars: Ezreal (vocalist), Kayn (rapper), Aphelios (instrumentalist, songwriter), Yone(producer), K’Sante (co-leader, vocalist), and Sett (co-leader, rapper). Despite their wildly different personalities and creative styles, the six are close friends united by a shared passion for making music together. 

When HEARTSTEEL debuted with “PARANOIA,” the group was still figuring out where they belonged. The track captured a band full of raw talent held together by ambition, anxiety, and close friendships. 

Three years later, HEARTSTEEL returns ready to leave their self-doubt behind. They’re back brighter, bolder, and more assured than ever. “Live My Life,” written and produced by acclaimed alternative pop artist Jon Bellion, celebrates the freedom that comes from embracing who you are and living life loudly without apology. Blending genre bending, musical experimentation with raw emotion, the track captures the energy of a group stepping confidently into their next chapter on their own terms.

HEARTSTEEL returns with a lineup of acclaimed returning and new artists spanning genres and cultures, Anderson .Paakas K’Sante, BAEKHYUN returning as Ezreal, Connor Price as Sett and Nic D as Kayn. 

“We’re so excited for the new collaborations we have in this next chapter of HEARTSTEEL,” said Maria Egan, Global Head of Music & Events, Riot Games. “Our virtual artists give players a completely different way to experience the champions they love, reimagining them in this alt fantasy being pop stars, alongside some of their favorite artists. HEARTSTEEL drew a lot of inspiration from the fandom surrounding K/DA, so we can’t wait to see what players create and how they respond to this next chapter.”

“I’m really excited to be collaborating with League of Legends again,” shares BAEKHYUN, a dedicated League player who returns as the voice of Ezreal. “It’s great to step back into this role. During my ‘Reverie tour’ last year, I had the chance to visit the Riot campus, where I connected with the Riot team, exchanged ideas, and we found a lot of inspiration in each other. It feels especially meaningful to see that inspiration turn into something we can now share with fans and players around the world. I honestly can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve created together. It’s going to be incredible.”

The artists collaborating on HEARTSTEEL's 2026 return include:

● Anderson .Paak - Multi-hyphenate global superstar, 9x GRAMMY Award-winning artist, producer, songwriter, drummer, and director. Anderson is currently on tour with Bruno Mars as DJ Pee .Wee and Silk Sonic. 

● BAEKHYUN - One of Korea's most accomplished solo artists, building on his foundation as a core member of the global K-pop group EXO. “Live My Life” marks his return to HEARTSTEEL following the group’s debut.  

● Connor Price - Canadian actor and one of the world’s leading independent artists, building a global fanbase without traditional label support. Best known for his viral “Spin the Globe” series, Connor recently released his debut album About Time, featuring Big Sean and Idris Elba, and sold out his latest North American tour alongside frequent collaborator Nic D.

● Nic D - Independent artist, author, and multi-hyphenate creator. Beyond music, he co-hosts the massively popular FRDi Show, a viral comedy podcast and digital brand with a devoted global audience.

● Jon Bellion - Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer known for co-writing and producing hit songs for major global artists across pop, hip-hop, and K-pop. 

Fans can watch the “Live My Life” music video on the official League of Legends YouTube and stream the track across all major listening platforms now.

—

ABOUT RIOT GAMES

Riot Games was founded in 2006 to develop, publish, and support the most player-focused games in the world. In 2009, Riot released its debut title, League of Legends, which has gone on to be one of the most-played PC games in the world. In the years since, Riot has released VALORANT, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Riftboundand 2XKO. Riot’s titles have led to the creation of some of the most-watched and widely recognized esports in the world, culminating in events like the League of Legends World Championship, VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) and the TFT Open, which are watched by millions of fans each year. Riot has also expanded its IP through multimedia projects across music, comic books, board games, and Arcane, its Emmy-winning animated series.

ABOUT RIOT GAMES MUSIC

Riot Games Music (RGM) builds on Riot Games’ global fandom at the intersection of gaming and music, creating original music, artist partnerships, and experiences that deepen the connection between players and Riot’s IP. Its catalog of over 1,500 songs has generated over 16 billion lifetime streams and reaches more than 50 million monthly listeners across streaming platforms.

RGM is behind some of gaming’s most recognizable moments, including twelve original League of Legends World Championships anthems featuring superstars Linkin Park, New Jeans, Lil Nas X, Imagine Dragons, Zedd and many more. RGM is also a leader in virtual artistry including artists like record breaking K-Pop inspired girl-group K/DA, heavy metal band Pentakill, hip-hop collective True Damage, DJ Sona and Seraphine. 

Beyond League of Legends, RGM continues to expand the music footprint of other Riot Games titles, including VALORANT, through original music and live experiences, working with artists such as KATSEYE, Audrey Nuna, Oli Sykes (Bring Me The Horizon), Courtney LaPlante (Spiritbox), Grabbitz, bbno$, and more. Music partnerships also extend into film and television through Emmy-award winning series Arcane, whose Season 2 soundtrack has generated more than 6.5 billion global streams and featured collaborations with Twenty OnePilots, Stromae, Stray Kids, Young Miko, and more. 

ABOUT LEAGUE OF LEGENDS

Released in 2009, League of Legends is Riot Games' debut title and one of the most-played competitive games in the world, engaging millions of players daily in 20+ officially-supported languages. A mainstay of the MOBA genre, in League, two teams of five powerful champions face off to destroy each other's base in a game that blends the speed, strategy, and intensity of an RTS with immersive RPG elements. 

League continues to evolve year over year in gameplay and storytelling, delivering fresh new experiences like K/DA, immersive stories like Star Guardian and Spirit Blossom, and technical balance changes to ensure competitive integrity. As the basis for the Runeterra universe, League champions have been featured in music, comic books, spinoff games, collectible figurines, board games, TV series, and more. The annual League of Legends World Championship is the most widely viewed esport tournament, and is among the largest and most popular sporting events in the world. 

Visit leagueoflegends.com for more information and follow @leagueoflegends on social media. 

PH MEDIA CONTACTS 

blackstar

mabuhay@blackstar.space  

The Kid LAROI releases new single "GET EVEN" with GIVĒON

Photo credit: Adam Kargenian 

“GET EVEN (feat. GIVĒON)”

LISTEN/WATCH: https://thekidlaroi.lnk.to/geteven

Hot on the heels of releasing his new single “SLEEP,” The Kid LAROI is back to share new single “GET EVEN” featuring GIVĒON. The first collaboration between LAROI and GIVĒON arrives with an Ayodeji-directed music video – the second visual collaboration between the fast-rising director and LAROI in a matter of weeks following the release of “SLEEP” at the end of August. Like “SLEEP,” the conception of “GET EVEN” dates back to an album that The Kid LAROI created prior to BEFORE I FORGETthat was ultimately scrapped, though both “SLEEP” and “GET EVEN” were both identified as songs that did need to see the light of day upon LAROI revisiting them.

The song's release comes ahead of LAROI launching the UK and European dates for his A PERFECT WORLD tour, which kicks off October 27th in Birmingham and wraps November 17th in the Czech Republic.

Listen to and watch "GET EVEN" now.

Connect with The Kid LAROI:

Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube

Source: Nyou

James Arthur shares a message of inclusivity and self-worth with the new single ‘Waste My Tears’

Listen here / Watch the video here

Photo by Jack Alexander / Single artwork

It has been a phenomenal year of touring for James Arthur- having completed his first sold-out Europeanarena headline tour, a sold-out UK and Ireland arena headline tour which included playing to 40,000 fans over two nights at The O2 London, followed by select major international festival dates. Several shows featured a special surprise - a brand-new song that has had thousands of fans swamping his socials, excitedly asking when it will be released. That moment is now here as James unveils the eagerly anticipated new single ‘Waste My Tears’. Listen HERE.

Hit play on ‘Waste My Tears’ and you can hear what has caused such excitement. The chorus could well be the biggest of his career: the gritty soul of James’s lead vocal simmering with heartfelt passion and determination, backed by an explosive production and radiant gospel backing vocals. Its message is just as powerful. Whatever you’re struggling with, it’s a rousing reminder that you - the real you - is important and valuable.

James says, “This song is about knowing your worth, letting go of the things that don’t deserve your energy, and moving forward without looking back. One of my favourite lines is, ‘Don’t stop being anything but yourself,’ and I hope that means something to you too.”

‘Waste My Tears’ is James’s first new solo track since releasing his ‘PISCES’ album last year. It continued his superstar status, ensuring that all six of his studio albums have reached #3 or higher in the UK - including the chart-toppers ‘Back From The Edge’ and ‘Bittersweet Love’. His album success is matched on the Official Singles Chart with two #1 smashes and a further five Top 10 hits -  all of which contributed to being awarded a BRITs Billion award in 2023 in recognition of receiving over a billion UK streams. James has also achieved massive success with 12 Platinum certified singles in the UK with ‘Impossible’, ‘Rewrite The Stars’, ‘Naked’, ‘Safe Inside’, ‘Falling Like The Stars’, ‘Lasting Lover’, ‘Train Wreck’, ‘Can I Be Him’, ‘Empty Space’, ‘Sun Comes Up’, ‘Car’s Outside’ and ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’. 

But the triple BRIT nominee James is also truly an international icon, with 20 billion career streams to date, and 52 million physical worldwide sales. He has scored hits all over the globe, amassing countless Diamond, Platinum and Gold certifications everywhere from the UKto the US, across Europe, and in Australia.

Follow James Arthur:

Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | X | Website 

Source: Nyou

DOMINIC FIKE RELEASES SECOND LEAD SINGLE “SMALL TOWN”

FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

How To Quit Smoking

ON “COMEDY TRAGEDY PARODY” HEADLINE TOUR NOW

Watch “SMALL TOWN” Video HERE

Dominic Fike has unveiled a brand-new single,“Small Town,” the latest release off his forthcoming third album How To Quit Smoking,out October 9th.

Fike is making this album, and its visuals, in an unconventional way: in real time, on the road. Between tour stops, he writes, records, films, and releases music from cities across North America, working wherever he can - hotel rooms, the tour bus, backstage before a show.

Watch “OCTOBER NINTH” Video HERE

“Small Town” was shot in Detroit and Seattle, and released from Dallas, featuring vocals from rising artists Emma Ogier and Gabriel Jacoby (who flew in to help Fike finish the song between shows). Writing and recording on the road gives the songs a unique perspective, one that can only be found while making art out in the wild, as opposed to the confines of a studio. Inspiration comes from communities and each city's character, or characters, bleed into the songs. 

Ogier not only joined Fike on the road to work on his new album but his team also shot a video for her own song “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”. Fike’s stage became hers with Ogier performing the song in front of a live audience and capturing the moment on video.

Fans wanting to watch and connect with the making of the record can do so in real time via the Instagram account @separatestreet. Updates and developments are being posted live as the album continues to evolve and take shape. Pre-order theHow To Quit Smoking vinyl HERE and pre-save HERE.

Watch “WALLFLOWER” Video Here

The “Comedy Tragedy Parody” Tour sees Dominic perform a series of intentionally intimate headline shows this fall. The tour takes Fike across the US, performing for sold-out audiences in Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Austin, Las Vegas,and more before coming to a close with back-to-back performances in Los Angeles onSeptember 29th and 30th.  

This year has also seen “Babydoll” have a resurgence after Fike started performing the song to Australian audiences at the end of last year. Originally released back in 2018, this year “Babydoll” landed #1 on the Spotify Global and US charts, crossing 2 billion streams, and landed on the Billboard Hot 100 eight years after its release. Fike has also collaborated with Isaiah Rashad on “CAMERAS,” Kenny Mason on“FIND GOD,” and Ravyn Lenae on“Reputation.”

DOMINIC FIKE TOUR DATES:

9/22 - Moody Amphitheater - Austin, TX

9/24 - Revel Entertainment Center - Albuquerque, NM

9/26 - Las Vegas, NV - The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

9/29 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
9/30 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern

Dominic Fike Press Photo, credit: Jack Balaban

Connect with Dominic Fike:

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Website

 Source: Sony Music

Maluma and Shakira Reunite on "Agua," a Merengue That Plays With Fire Their fifth collaboration on a global scale

Photo: @phraa 

The single is out now and brings a new sonic dimension to the world of Loco X Volver.

Listen here

Watch the video here.

Colombia, September 18, 2026. In under a month, Maluma's name has appeared alongside the two biggest female icons music has produced in the last decade. First came Beyoncé, who brought him onto "Cuerpo (Tumbao)" for the commemorative edition of B'Day. Now it's Shakira, with whom the global Latin star reunites on "Agua": "We went global with the queen." Available on all platforms now.

"Agua" is a sensual merengue that crosses tropical energy with contemporary production. The vocal chemistry between the two is once again the heart of the story, this time built around a simple, effective metaphor: no matter how much water they need, when they're together, everything ends up on fire. It's a song of tension, flirtation, and complicity, one that recognizes the DNA of their earliest collaborations without settling into nostalgia.

The artistic relationship between Maluma and Shakira began with "Chantaje," continued with "Trap" and "Clandestino," and also ran through the remix of "La Bicicleta" alongside Carlos Vives—a run that produced several of Latin music's biggest hits. Shakira was one of the first globally established artists to bet on Maluma when his international career was just beginning, and that closeness has held up over the years. The two recently spent time together again at the artist's horse-breeding ranch in Medellín, far from studios and cameras.

Within Loco X Volver, "Agua" adds a new sonic dimension to the project. The release comes with a music video directed by Hannah Lux Davis, one of the most recognized directors in international pop. The piece builds a world where water is the connecting thread: reflections, liquid surfaces, shine, movement, and dance sustain a constant tension between the two artists, in a narrative designed to become one of the album's strongest visual moments.

With two of the most defining names in Latin music together again, "Agua" arrives as one of the most significant releases in the Loco X Volver universe and as another chapter in a shared history now measured in years, not songs.

Shakira continues her hot streak following her headline performance of her global smash hit “Dai Dai” at the inaugural FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show, watched by 2 billion people worldwide. “Dai Dai” has been hailed as the biggest song of the year internationally, spending 7 weeks at No. 1 globally. The song’s video has officially surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube and Shakira is the most-viewed female artist on the platform, further cementing her status as a global icon. Later this month, Shakira will take the stage at Shakira Stadium for her sold-out Madrid Residency, which has sold over 500,000 tickets. For the highly anticipated residency, Shakira unveiled "Es Latina": a month-long cultural platform celebrating Spanish and Latin artists across music, fashion, art, literature, gastronomy, and dance at Macondo Park.

***

About Maluma

Maluma has established himself as one of the most influential global icons in contemporary Latin music. With a career that began in 2010 and has evolved at a rapid pace, the artist from Medellín has left an indelible mark on the music industry, breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers with a unique style that fuses reggaeton, pop, trap, and urban music. Throughout his journey, Maluma has released multiple multi-platinum albums, topped global charts, and collaborated with superstars such as Madonna, Shakira, The Weeknd, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, and, recently, Beyoncé. His impact extends beyond music, making him a key figure in fashion, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship.

In addition to his work as an artist, he has solidified his role as the creative director of his lifestyle brand, Remanence, through which he has spearheaded initiatives in fashion, sports, and wellness across Colombia. He has also successfully ventured into acting, design, and business, remaining true to his vision of empowering new generations and promoting an authentic, conscious lifestyle.

Renowned for his versatility and constant artistic evolution, Maluma continues to demonstrate that his career knows no bounds. At this stage of professional maturity, he remains an unstoppable force in Latin pop culture while honoring his Latin American roots with every step he takes.

He has championed a narrative that places Colombia at the forefront—from his award-show performances to direct references to art (such as Botero) and his own roots in his releases.

His communication and musical choices reflect a more curated phase of his career, one in which he seeks not merely to produce hits but to build a project with greater conceptual depth and coherence.

Today, Maluma combines his media impact, sonic evolution, and cultural narrative, positioning himself not just as an entertainment figure but as an artist currently cementing his legacy within Latin music.

About Shakira

Shakira is a Colombian singer-songwriter and a multiple GRAMMY® Award winner. She has sold over 95 million records worldwide and earned numerous accolades, including four GRAMMY® Awards, fifteen Latin GRAMMYs®, and multiple World Music Awards, American Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards, to name a few. She is the most-viewed female artist—and ranks among the top 10 most-viewed artists of all time—on YouTube, with 27 billion cumulative views, and is one of the most-streamed Latin artists of all time on Spotify.

Shakira recently released her twelfth studio album, *Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran*, to critical acclaim, winning a GRAMMY® for Best Latin Album. The album stands as a dazzling testament to her resilience and strength, as well as the power of music to transform the toughest experiences into precious moments. Within its first 24 hours of release, the album became the most-streamed album of 2024 and achieved 7x platinum certification. Less than a week after releasing the critically acclaimed *Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran*, Shakira drew a crowd of over 40,000 people—the largest audience for a Times Square performance, surpassing even New Year's Eve crowds—with a mesmerizing show on the TSX stage in Times Square. In 2025, Shakira launched her *Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran* world stadium tour, breaking records with seven completely sold-out dates in Mexico City.

Shakira’s previous album, *El Dorado*, hit #1 on iTunes in 37 countries and won Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2017 Latin GRAMMY® Awards and Best Latin Pop Album at the 2018 GRAMMY® Awards. With over 12 billion streams, it ranks among the most-streamed albums by a female artist of all time. In 24 hours, “SHAKIRA || BZRP Music Sessions #53” made history on Spotify and YouTube, garnering over 14 million streams and more than 52 million views, respectively. The song debuted at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking another historic milestone for Shakira as the first female solo artist to reach the Top 10 with a Spanish-language song. It also holds the record for the most streams in a single day for a Spanish-language song in Spotify history. In September, Shakira received the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards and, in honor of the occasion, delivered a spectacular performance featuring her greatest hits.

Source: Sony Music

Watch Nadine Lustre “DONUTS” music video

With Apl.de.Ap lending his global star power, Lustre takes audiences into a richly imagined world of Filipino tradition and contemporary visual edge

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Nadine Lustre steps into a new era of fearless self-expression with the release of the official music video for “DONUTS,” featuring global hip-hop titan Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas.

Drawing inspiration from Filipino history, spirituality, and fashion, the music video presents the multi-hyphenate star as a warrior princess who seizes control of her power and freedom in a lawless, oppressive world.

“The video connects to a bigger body of work, which explores transformation, stepping into your power, and becoming more comfortable with who you are,” Nadine Lustre explains. “I wanted that world to feel rooted in being Filipino, with influences subtly woven in setting, style, and imagery.”

With Nadine Lustre at the helm of creative direction, the visuals reflect her newfound pride in embracing one’s identity and roots. Set against open fields and grasslands in a fictional countryside, the “DONUTS” MV reimagines pre-colonial motifs with a modern, dystopian edge.

For the award-winning actress-singer, however, creative ownership doesn’t necessarily mean working alone. She opened up about assembling a production team that helped translate her ideas into a fully realized visual spectacle.

“Everyone brought their own perspective, from the styling and production design to the movement and how everything would look on camera,” Lustre reveals. “I enjoy being hands-on, but I also love seeing people take an idea and add something I wouldn’t have thought of. So much of what makes the video special came from that exchange. It really was a collective effort.”

Despite their different backgrounds, Apl.de.Ap admires Lustre and her team’s commitment to experimentation and collaboration. He specifically praised the cinematic world of “DONUTS,” noting how its visual language complements the song’s larger-than-life energy.

“I love the video,” Apl.de.Ap shares. “It’s so mythical. Nadine and the team have such a unique lens.”

The “DONUTS” music video serves as an extension of Lustre’s continued growth as an artist, putting self-expression, identity, and creative freedom at the center of her work. Building on Filipino-inspired imagery and an envelope-pushing visual aesthetic, the MV sets up a bolder, more risk-taking direction for what comes next.

Nadine Lustre’s “DONUTS” is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Cool Girl Records. Watch the music video here.

Source: Nyou

Fast-Rising Alt-Pop Sibling Duo Wasia Project Unveil Debut Album 'Nocturne', A Cathartic Coming-Of-Age Odyssey

LISTEN HERE

Photo Credit: Claryn Chong

"'Nocturne' is a striking progression for the band."

— Rolling Stone UK

September 18th, 2026 - Philippines — Wasia Project, the musical duo formed by siblings Will Gao and Olivia Hardy, has unveiled their highly anticipated debut album 'Nocturne', out now via AWAL Recordings. Charting a new hinterland for the duo, the album turns coming-of-age angst into catharsis, unfolding as a kinetic journey steeped in the lore of the night, moving between the heady introspection of twilight hours and the euphoric embrace of the dance floor where bodies commune and coexist. Fans can listen to the album HERE.

The 12-track finale arrives following a run of singles that have progressively revealed the distinctive sonic world of 'Nocturne': Lead single "2515" introduced the record's undulating electronic pulse and cinematic scale, followed by "Bleeding Gold" and "Whale Call", the latter featuring in Netflix's new feature film 'Heartstopper Forever', in which Will Gao reprises his role as Tao Xu. "Vogue", the album's final single, arrived as a euphoric body-talk anthem, becoming the duo's third consecutive album single to earn Jack Saunders' Hottest Record accolade on BBC Radio 1. "Vogue" was subsequently reimagined by acclaimed German DJ, producer and Running Back label founder Gerd Janson, who took the track's kinetic energy deep into the club.

Wasia Project – "Bleeding Gold" (Official Video)

Earlier this week, the duo shared the official video for "Bleeding Gold", the second entry from 'Nocturne'. Co-directed by Wasia Project and Harvey Frost, the video for visualises the song's themes of nostalgia and self-reflection. Starring Olivia and Will alongside a younger version of Olivia, the video moves between past and present, exploring the enduring connection we have to our younger selves. Tender and dreamlike, it serves as a poignant companion to the track's meditation on youth, memory and growing up.

The album's other tracks further explore the breadth of Wasia Project's new sonic world. "Strike Me Down From Heaven" pushes their neo-classical and electronic instincts into more experimental territory, while "Even If I Tried" draws on modern soul minimalism and trip-hop. "Moon Goddess" is a melancholic electro-acoustic nocturne inspired by the Chinese legend of the moon goddess. "Wildfire", the album's closer and focus track, brings its recurring themes of growing pains, crowded rooms and lovelorn melancholia to an explosive finale. ""Wildfire" is the cathartic end to 'Nocturne' and perhaps the emotional crux of the record. A massive, anthemic song about feeling estranged from someone you love deeply, the isolation that comes with that, and a desperate yearning to reach out and connect again," the duo says of the track.

"Our debut album 'Nocturne' is a collection of songs that take us on a journey through the night. A space and time where feelings and emotions play in a world of extremes. From the electric connection of a nightclub, to the isolation of a sleepless night, we present a piece of work that serves as a sanctuary for those moments in our lives, hoping to bridge the borders between ourselves and each other." 

— Wasia Project

'Nocturne' is the voice of youth in flux, both immediate and reflective. It captures the residual haze of the post-COVID years, examining distance, isolation and fractured connection within a disillusioned generation suspended between physical and digital worlds. In response, the duo embrace a darker, grittier and more nocturnal sonic palette, stepping away from the lightness of their earlier work in favour of something more textured, immersive and emotionally charged. Across 12 tracks, they transmute their classical foundations through the lens of club-adjacent dance music, cinematic piano-pop balladry, modern soul and atmospheric electronica, arriving at a sound that is at once deeply intimate and expansively cinematic.

Formed in 2019, Wasia Project's mixed British-Chinese heritage and classical background drive a global approach to pop that cuts across musical traditions and hemispheres. Their reach has expanded rapidly, amassing over 200M streams across their catalogue and peaking at 2.4M monthly Spotify listeners.

The duo's 2022 debut EP 'how can I pretend?' featured their breakout hit "ur so pretty", and was followed by a series of dewy-eyed standalone singles such as live-favourite "Petals on the Moon". They gestured at a cooler sonic palette on transitional EP 'Isotope', released in 2024 and accompanied by a beautiful short film. Their 2024 UK headline tour sold out within minutes, while their debut US run saw them support two-time GRAMMY Award winner Laufey across 13 dates. That same year, they also supported BRITs Critics' Choice Award winner Tom Odell across 18 European dates. The duo has also made notable festival appearances at All Points East and Lollapalooza Germany. Most recently, they made their Radio 1 Big Weekend debut and played a run of sold-out intimate piano shows across Asia and Australia, including the Philippines and Hong Kong, with extra dates added due to popular demand. Widely championed by leading publications including Vogue, The Guardian, NPR, GQ, DIY, and Rolling Stone, Wasia Project have also graced the covers of NME, BRICKS, Dork, and Notion.

With 'Nocturne', Wasia Project continues to dissolve the boundaries between genres and emotional states, crafting music that feels both deeply personal and collectively resonant. The album marks the beginning of a new creative chapter for the duo, where the interplay of stillness and euphoria, solitude and unity, defines their sonic landscape. 'Nocturne' is more than just an album, it's a journey through the complexities of youth, identity, and the ever-shifting space between the digital and the real.

'Nocturne' Tracklisting:
1. 2515
2. Vogue
3. Whale Call
4. Bleeding Gold
5. Voices in My Head
6. Even If I Tried
7. Sunken Quay
8. Strike Me Down From Heaven
9. Moon Goddess
10. Stay
11. Nightingale
12. Wildfire

Stream 'Nocturne' here
Watch the "Bleeding Gold" video here
 

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Two-Time OSCAR & BAFTA-Nominated Collective Son Lux Return With New Album 'Out Into', Their Boldest Sonic Statement Yet

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Photo Credit: Anna Powell Denton

September 18th, 2026 - Philippines — Son Lux, the critically acclaimed project of visionary trio Ryan Lott, Rafiq Bhatia, and Ian Chang, release their ninth studio album, 'Out Into', today via City Slang. The album arrives alongside a new music video for the title track, "Out Into Us", commissioned by MASS MoCA and Pioneer Works, produced by Caviar, and directed by Alex Cook. Fans can stream the new album HERE and watch the video HERE.

'Out Into' is Son Lux's most rhythmically sumptuous, lyrically urgent work yet. Across nearly two decades, Son Lux have earned its reputation for splendour and sweep, but 'Out Into' is something different: a punchy suite of tactile, detail-minded songs born from dazzling moments of collective improvisation. Recorded in bursts during downtime between film projects, 'Out Into' was brisk work stretched out over a two-year span, the gestation periods between studio sessions allowing the group's rhythms to sink deeper into the pocket while Ryan Lott's lyrics became more saturated with meaning. "These songs are about losing and finding ourselves. How we lose ourselves in relationships, in work, in our children, in our pursuits and desires," he says. "So how do we find ourselves? How do we find each other?"

Son Lux – "Out Into Us" (Official Video)

"Out Into Us", the release day focus track for their album, finds a middle ground between the hip-hop inflected rhythmic language that characterises the new album and the cinematic sweep and splendor that earned the band Oscar and BAFTA nominations for their 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' score. An intro of quintessentially Son Lux string and vocal surges gives way to a Madlib-inspired palette of sumptuous bass and shifty beats, which in turn transform into a phalanx of fraying, tentacular guitars.

"These songs are about losing and finding ourselves. We're continually changing as we learn who we are. That's partly what 'Out Into' means. We come out of something and into something else. Every moment is an exit and an entrance at the same time."

— Ryan Lott, founder and frontman, Son Lux

The album follows singles "Endlessly", "Want You To Love" and "No God Like A King", which introduced the record's themes of transformation, connection and change and the new video for "Out Into Us" expands on these ideas. Commissioned by MASS MoCA and Pioneer Works, produced by Caviar, and directed by Alex Cook, the music video reflects the song's themes of slowing down and lingering in transitional spaces, where fear, self-doubt, and emotional facades begin to give way to new unknown possibilities.

As a family waits for an approaching storm, what initially appears to be an external threat is gradually revealed as something constructed and sustained by anxiety and doubt. By stepping into the storm rather than retreating from it, the illusion collapses, allowing something uncontrollable but alive to pass through.

Their first-thought-best-thought approach may come as a surprise to those who have followed Son Lux's recent ascent through Hollywood's starrier corridors. They have earned two Oscar nominations and a BAFTA nod for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for A24's Best Picture winner, 'Everything Everywhere All at Once', with features from David Byrne, Mitski, and André 3000. Their extensive scoring work also includes Marvel Studios' 'Thunderbolts*' and Amazon MGM Studios' forthcoming feature directed by Bassam Tariq, 'Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother'. Beyond film, their hit single "Easy" has been sampled by Halsey on her RIAA Gold-certified track "Hold Me Down", G-Eazy on "Eazy", and Fall Out Boy on "Fourth of July", and reimagined in a version featuring Lorde, while their work has also been commissioned by The Royal Ballet, Kronos Quartet, and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

While this breadth of work has broadened the band's panoramic vision far beyond the margins of the cineplex screen, it has also inspired Lott, Bhatia, and Chang to return to something more immediate and direct. 'Out Into' finds Son Lux occupying a paradoxical zone between vast and intimate, spontaneous and refined, experimentally-minded and pop-spirited.

A 17-minute extended version of the music video is currently on view at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts and will travel to several art institutions concluding at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, New York. The installation deliberately pushes against how music is increasingly experienced in the social media era, where songs are often reduced to bite-sized fragments embedded without context into an endless scroll. Instead, Son Lux stretches the song into an expressionistic landscape, expanding the relationship between music and listener.

Son Lux will also take 'Out Into' on a world tour this Fall.

'Out Into' Tracklisting:
1. Want You To Love
2. Out Into Us
3. Endlessly
4. Break Bread
5. Even If It Hurts
6. You Could Be The One
7. Summer's Gone
8. Apparition
9. No God Like a King

Stream 'Out Into' here
Watch the "Out Into Us" video here
 

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GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING ARTIST · MULTI-PLATINUM RAPPER ANDERSON .PAAK & CORDAE REUNITE FOR FEEL-GOOD NEW SINGLE "A GOOD DAY"

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FIRST TASTE OF FORTHCOMING
COLLABORATIVE ALBUM 'HEAVY IS THE CROWN'
DUE OUT OCTOBER 23

PRE-SAVE HERE

September 17th, 2026 - Philippines — GRAMMY-Award winning artist Anderson .Paak and GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum rapper Cordae today share "A Good Day", the first single off their recently announced forthcoming collaborative album, 'Heavy Is the Crown', arriving October 23rd via APESHIT + EMPIRE / Hi Level + Mass Appeal. An uplifting, soul-drenched anthem, "A Good Day" finds .Paak tapping back into his charismatic rap roots alongside Cordae's effortless flow, as the two trade witty bars over live drum grooves and infectious production. Fans can stream the new album HERE and watch the video HERE.

Built around a healthy dose of humour and effortless lyrical interplay, A Good Day" tips its hat to timeless musical touchstones, weaving echoes of Bill Withers' beloved classic, "Lovely Day", with the unmistakable energy of Fatman Scoop's legendary ad-libs. The result is a nostalgic yet fresh anthem driven by infectious optimism and a smooth summer-to-fall vibe. Equal parts playful and feel-good, the track captures the natural chemistry that has made the pair's collaborations so memorable.

Anderson .Paak, Cordae – "A Good Day" (Official Video)

The accompanying music video, starring Jennifer Freeman, brings that same nostalgia, humour and charisma to the screen with a playful homage to the cult classic film, 'Friday'. .Paak and Cordae channel the competitive dynamic of brothers going head-to-head over a love interest, all while maintaining the camaraderie at the heart of their partnership.

The release kicks off a new full-length collaborative era for the dynamic hip-hop duo. Known for seamlessly blending classic West Coast funk, neo-soul, live instrumentation, and top-tier lyrical hip-hop, the duo build on the critical and commercial success of their previous collaborations, including 2019's "RNP" (260M+ Spotify streams) and "Two Tens" (75M+ Spotify streams). Across their work together, .Paak's signature live musicianship, raspy vocals, and infectious hooks meet Cordae's thoughtful lyricism and sharp storytelling, creating a distinct chemistry that has established them as one of modern hip-hop's most compelling dynamic pairs.

To coincide with the release of 'Heavy Is the Crown', the duo has also announced a robust physical offering featuring six retailer-exclusive vinyl variants spanning Amazon through independent retail, alongside an animated zoetrope edition available direct-to-consumer. The collection is rounded out by cassette and CD editions, with the latter featuring a lenticular cover that transforms the album artwork into an image of .Paak and Cordae in the middle of a playful fight.

Stream "A Good Day" here
Watch the official video here
Pre-save 'Heavy Is The Crown' here
 

About Anderson .Paak
 

Anderson .Paak has emerged as one of contemporary music's most dynamic and influential artists, performers, and producers. Raised in Oxnard, California, he began his musical journey behind the drums in his church band, laying the foundation for a career defined by innovation, artistry, and boundary-pushing creativity. After releasing his debut album in 2014, .Paak quickly established himself as a force in music. Today, he is a 9x GRAMMY Award-winning artist, producer, entrepreneur, and cultural force who continues to extend his impact beyond music through the Brandon Anderson Foundation, championing community, creativity, and opportunity for the next generation. In 2026, Anderson .Paak earned a place among TIME's 100 Most Influential People, further cementing his impact on music and culture. 

About Cordae

Cordae has established himself as one of hip-hop's premier lyricists. Born in Raleigh, NC and raised in Suitland, MD he is a GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum, Emmy award winning rapper, songwriter, and lyrical powerhouse. Since breaking onto the national scene, Cordae has earned widespread critical acclaim with charting projects, platinum-certified records, and collaborations alongside some of music's biggest icons, including Eminem, Lil Wayne, Kanye West H.E.R., Anderson .Paak, and Stevie Wonder. Cordae and .Paak first connecting with on the fan-favourite "RNP" from Cordae's critically acclaimed debut album 'The Lost Boy' and have since developed one of hip-hop's most natural creative partnerships. 

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Sony Music Philippines leads 39th Awit Awards with 11 major wins

IV OF SPADES, SB19, Ben&Ben, and more SME artists earned top honors across recording, songwriting, production, and technical categories

Sony Music Philippines dominated the 39th Awit Awards, taking home eleven (11) honors across major categories.

IV OF SPADES led the night’s victories, with their acclaimed album Andalucia named Album of the Year. The four-piece band also bagged Song of the Year for “Aura.” Their song “Monster” earned Best Sound Engineered Recording.

Fresh from their Album of the Year win, IV OF SPADES closed the ceremony with a three-track set. They performed their latest single “Isang Pag-Ibig,” their hit track “Kabisado,” and the Song of the Year-winning “Aura.”

SB19 likewise enjoyed a festive night. “DUNGKA!” took home three awards: Best Pop Recording, Best Dance/Electronic Recording, and Best Music Video.

Ahead of the release of their first-ever anthology album, Ninethis month, Ben&Ben picked up two major awards, including Best Performance by a Group and Best Musical Arrangement for “Saranggola.”

Producer Brian Lotho was also named Producer of the Year, adding another major distinction to Sony Music Philippines’ haul. His winning body of work includes production for tracks from IV OF SPADES’ Andalucia, plus nominated recordings by dwta and the James Reid and TJ Monterde collaboration “Pahinga.”

Other winners include SB19’s John Paulo Nase (PABLO of SB19 / RADKIDZ), who was named Songwriter of the Yearfor his exemplary work on SB19’s Simula At Wakas, the P-Pop powerhouse’s 2025 EP. YARA and Nateman also won Best Remix Recording for “Sabi Ko Na (Remix).”

Aside from bagging major awards, Sony Music Philippines artists also took part in the ceremony’s live performances. Marina Summers brought “Walang Kaba” to the Awit Awards stage, with the track getting nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Recording.

Speaking on the label’s strong showing, Maan Atienza, the General Manager of Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, said the recognition is a testament to the exceptional talent within the Sony Music Philippines family. “While commercial milestones are important, we believe that true success in music lies in artistic value. These awards reflect our commitment to supporting artists with strong, distinct voices and creative vision while giving them the space to create work that is authentic, game-changing, and inspiring. More than anything, we are proud that our roster of acts are being recognized for the quality, originality, and artistic vision they bring to the industry: something that we champion here at Sony Music Entertainment.”

The 39th Awit Awards took place at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on September 15, 2026. Presented by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. (PARI), the award-giving body “recognizes the artists, creators, and works that continue to shape the nation’s sound.”

Source: Nyou

Nadine Lustre drops “Donut” MV teaser

The multi-hyphenate star unveils the first glimpse of her visually striking collaboration with Apl.de.Ap

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Multi-hyphenate artist Nadine Lustre has dropped the official teaser for the music video of her latest single, “Donuts,” featuring global hip-hop superstar Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas.

The nearly 30-second clip offers a first look at an expansive visual world, introducing Lustre as a warrior princess. With creative direction by Lustre herself, the music video reimagines pre-colonial Philippine royalty through a post-apocalyptic lens, creating a world where tradition and futurism collide.

The official music video for “Donuts” is set to premiere on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 8:00 PM, PH time, via Lustre’s official YouTube channel.

“Donuts” marks the acclaimed actress-singer's second musical offering this year, following the widely received first single, “Personal.” The eclectic, hip-hop-driven track was written by Lustre, Andric Ivo Empreso, and Jan Roberts Baloloy, with production by Khalil Atienza, Elijiah Wudz Bitacura, andIsagani Palabyab.

Nadine Lustre’s “Donuts” is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Cool Girl Records.

Source: Nyou

AXEAN Festival 2026 draws record crowd, strengthens Southeast Asia’s music connections

The Bali-based conference and showcase powerhouse pulls in over 4,000 attendees across three days of music, discovery, and exchange.

Ndarboy Genk commanding the crowd with their dangdut-infused bops

September 10, 2026 / Bali, Indonesia – AXEAN Festival 2026 wrapped up its latest edition with a strong finish, serving consistency and growth for Southeast Asia’s first intra-regional music showcase and conference festival. Taking place at Jimbaran Hub in Bali for the third time in a row, the Bali-based annual festival brought together a formidable mix of artists, music professionals, delegates, and audiences in a setting designed to foster exchange beyond the traditional conference. More than 4,000 attendees came over the three-day run (including private events), nearly double last year's attendance.

The positive response from audiences and international delegates reflected the festival’s astoundingly diverse reach. According to Piyapong Muenprasertdee (also known as Py), co-founder and co-teamleader of AXEAN Festival, one of the most vital measures of AXEAN’s success was seeing audiences move freely among genres and cultures.

“I love seeing people enjoy music regardless of genre, style, or language,” Py says. “At AXEAN someone might be moshing in a pit one minute and joining a dangdut ring dance the next, which is exactly what happened this year.”

He also emphasized that the festival’s continued presence in Bali has been instrumental to its identity and growth. “Firstly, we had more popular Indonesian artists grace the stage, which attracted a bigger local audience compared to last year,” Py shares. “Secondly, the creative communities here. Through our Bali-based correspondent, Chika, we partnered with Craft Hotel, a new hotel and art gallery in Ubud, and Amplitude, a skate park in Seminyak, to organize pre-event activities, including panel discussions with people from the scene and live music from Balinese artists.”

This year’s edition took pride in its solidified relevance as a platform for discovering, connecting, and championing music from Southeast Asia and beyond. The community-driven spirit in the AXEAN Festival was evident during the performance of Indonesian headliner Ndarboy Genk, whose dangdut, koplo, and Javanese pop repertoire brought audiences together in a communal dance. “That is what we built AXEAN for,” Py adds.

AXEAN’s conference and networking initiatives also proved to be vital in this year’s offerings, upholding its vision to amplify global and synergistic connections through speed meetings, pitching sessions, and panel discussions. The festival enabled participation from industry folks who might otherwise never find themselves in the same conversation. Partner activities included brunches hosted by Sounds Australia, programming by Korea Spotlight by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), and initiatives involving France’s Center national de la musique (CNM).

At the core of its mission, the festival recognized the importance of building spaces for organic, in-person connections. A VIP loungesupported by The Orchard and the closing after-party gave artists and delegates opportunities to connect outside formal meetings.

Beyond the artist- and industry-centered programming, one of the festival’s foremost highlights is the partnership with KEXP, which marked the Seattle-based music platform’s first-ever presence in Asia. AXEAN became KEXP’s first Asian festival partner for its Live at KEXPprogram, with twelve performances by Southeast Asian artists filmed and recorded in two Bali locations: Locca Sea House and Puri Bhagawan.

“Both sit on the Jimbaran cliffs above the sea, and both are run by Jimbaran Hijau, who also run Jimbaran Hub — the grounds where the festival and conference are held,” Py explains in a press statement. “KEXP reaches an international audience that Southeast Asian artists rarely get in front of. This time, twelve of them are now in it.”

While the program structure remained consistent with previous editions, AXEAN Festival enhanced the overall experience for attendees with a Southeast Asian street food hawker center and an arts and crafts area to engage younger attendees and families. Thanks to festival partners Tunecore and Empire, AXEAN Festival mounted a seamless three-stage setup ideal for attendees looking for music across different backgrounds and disciplines.

Next year’s edition intends to build on these gains while gearing towards AXEAN’s bigger purpose: promoting Southeast Asian music and bolstering its presence within the wider Asian music ecosystem. By keeping its place on the regional calendar and collaborating with complementary events across Asia, including a songwriting camp post-festival, AXEAN promises to make music discovery and export a top priority, just like in previous years, but more purposeful and intentional than ever.

“Our long-term vision is to raise the Southeast Asian music ecosystem and strengthen its place within the wider Asian one,” Py says, summarizing the goal.

About AXEAN Festival 

The AXEAN Festival is a prominent Southeast Asian music export platform, combining a music conference and showcase festival.

Launched in 2020 during the pandemic by music professionals across Southeast Asia, AXEAN Festival has successfully hosted both virtual (2020-2021) and in-person (2022-2026) events. Over seven editions, it has featured over 290 artists from 23 countries, attracted over 530 delegates from 36 countries/territories, and reached over 46,000 virtual viewers, along with close to 22,000 live attendees.

With its growing international reputation, AXEAN has firmly established itself as Southeast Asia’s leading music export platform. Its first venture into a new market beyond its original home base in Singapore and Bali garnered widespread acclaim among attendees, music industry professionals, and participating artists.

 Source: Nyou

FKJ Unveils Highly Anticipated New Album 'Tyber'; World Tour to Hit Southeast Asia

LISTEN HERE

INTERNATIONAL TOUR TO HIT SOUTHEAST ASIA,
WITH STOPS IN BANGKOK, SINGAPORE, KUALA LUMPUR, HONG KONG & TAIPEI

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

Photo credit: Jack McKain

September 15th, 2026 — Acclaimed French multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer FKJ finally unveils 'Tyber', his highly anticipated third studio album. Blurring the lines between electronic music, jazz, soul and live instrumentation, the album captures FKJ at his most expansive and instinctive. Shaped by years of movement, solitude, collaboration and renewal, 'Tyber' draws from the places he has travelled, the musicians he has encountered and an ever-evolving approach to his craft. The album arrives alongside an extensive headline tour, including dates across Asia. Fans can stream the album HERE and buy tickets HERE.

Across the 12 tracks, FKJ brings together piano, drums, saxophone, percussion, bass, guitar, synths and more, using detailed production and electronic manipulation to heighten rather than obscure the feeling of live musicianship at the heart of his work. The result is an album that resists easy categorisation. No two songs occupy quite the same space, but each is unmistakably connected by FKJ's instinct for intricate arrangements, improvisation and texture. Ahead of its release, 'Tyber' was unveiled to fans through exclusive listening parties across the globe, including Taiwan and Indonesia, where audiences were among the first to experience the record.

'Tyber' has been gradually taking shape in the public eye since the release of "Soulmates", with a series of singles introducing different sides of the album and establishing its distinct visual and sonic world. The new album brings together a dynamic cast of collaborators, including Baby Rose, Eryn Allen Kane, Bas, Labrinth, and Lucy Park. Baby Rose joins following a breakout year, including four sold-out nights opening for Olivia Dean at Madison Square Garden. Grammy-winning Eryn Allen Kane, whose voice has been championed by the likes of André 3000, Killer Mike and Prince, features on "I Want U", while Bas reunites with FKJ fresh from a feature on Jungle's new album. Labrinth, the multi-platinum-selling artist, producer and composer, contributes to "Little Little Voice", following the milestone of his hit single "Formula" surpassing one billion streams, and Lucy Park features on "How Much Does It Take To Shift It All", having recently released her new EP via 10K Projects. Each collaborator adds a distinct energy to FKJ's evolving sound, expanding the album into new territory while staying rooted in his instinctive musicianship.

Written and recorded across London, Los Angeles, Paris, Brazil and Mexico, the album reflects the changing environments in which it was made. The visual world surrounding Tyber has developed in parallel. Throughout the campaign, FKJ has released a series of cinematic live films shot in Japan, following him as he performs while travelling through space aboard a spaceship. The films draw on the feeling of FKJ's otherworldly home studio and the ideas that first sparked the album, creating a visual language around the record's themes of movement, transformation and change. Together, the music and films form an interconnected world that gives 'Tyber' a life beyond the individual tracks.

Following the release, FKJ will embark on an extensive headline world tour spanning Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Beginning in October, the run marks the first opportunity for audiences to experience the new album in its full live context, bringing the immersive world of 'Tyber' to life through the dynamic, free-flowing performances that have become synonymous with his name.

FKJ – Asia Tour Dates 2026

November 27th, 2026 — UOB Live — Bangkok
November 29th, 2026 — Arena @ Expo — Singapore
December 1st, 2026 — Zepp Kuala Lumpur — Kuala Lumpur
December 3rd, 2026 — AsiaWorld-Expo — Hong Kong
December 8th, 2026 — Zepp New Taipei — Taipei

FKJ is no stranger to Asia, having built a strong following across the region through a series of acclaimed live performances. He made his Southeast Asia debut in 2016 with an intimate DJ and live performance in Bangkok, followed by a 2017 Asia tour across multiple cities including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore as part of his broader breakout run in the region. In 2023, he returned for a major Asia tour with stops in Jakarta, Bali, Taipei, Bangkok, Hong Kong (Clockenflap), Manila (Wanderland), Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, including several notable sold-out dates that further cemented his status as a consistent draw across the continent.

Over the course of his career, FKJ has earned widespread acclaim for redefining the boundaries of contemporary French electronic music. Often recognised as a pioneer of the New French House movement, he has developed a signature style built around live instrumentation, improvisation, looping and richly layered production. His French heritage remains a defining thread throughout his work, even as his music continues to absorb inspiration from cultures and communities around the world. Beyond the studio, FKJ has cultivated a devoted international following, with over 4.6 million fans across platforms, more than 4 billion global streams, and 2.5 million YouTube subscribers, cementing his reputation for the immersive visual and musical experience of his live performances. An artist whose work exists between timeless musicianship and experimentation, FKJ has built a singular musical world that blurs the worlds of jazz, soul, classical, hip-hop, funk, rock and electronic influences. As a result, his music continues to connect with a global audience drawn to both its technical intricacy and intimate atmosphere.

For FKJ, the album represents another step forward in an already distinctive career. His performances have become an extension of that philosophy, with songs able to evolve organically in front of an audience rather than simply being reproduced as they appear on record.
 

'Tyber' Tracklisting:
1. Journey
2. Clear
3. How Much Does It Take To Shift It All (ft. Lucy Park)
4. Burst (ft. Baby Rose)
5. Leaving
6. Changes Rising
7. Heavy Heart (ft. Bas)
8. I Want U (ft. Eryn Allen Kane)
9. Soulmates
10. Open
11. Little Little Voice (ft. Labrinth)
12. In Heaven

Stream 'Tyber' here
Buy tickets to the tour here
 

More About FKJ & 'Tyber'

'Tyber' is essentially a document of FKJ's self-discovery in the years since releasing 'V I N C E N T': first sinking into the abyss and then ascending back into brighter light than ever before. Stylistically, it's as adventurous as ever, flowing seamlessly through flavours of funk to jazz to rock to alt-pop to R&B. The songs take on myriad approaches, from his most groove-laden material since his debut, to a wealth of more song-focused compositions, through to jazzy instrumentals and sample-heavy tracks. Given its diversity, it's unsurprising to discover that it was crafted as he travelled the world. Each track is like a Polaroid snapshot of part of FKJ's story.

Balance is a recurring underlying theme throughout the record, reflected not only in its sound but also in FKJ's approach to collaboration, centred on artistry, connection and shared creative intent. This era extends into a wide range of recent one-off and external collaborations, including work with Yussef Dayes, JENNIE, Jordan Rakei, DEAN and Sofiane Pamart.

Now 'Tyber' is ready to take flight into the world, introduced through a series of cinematic, arthouse live films shot in Japan, where FKJ performs while travelling aboard a spaceship — a visual metaphor for both his otherworldly home studio and the origins of his creative journey, capturing the evolution traced throughout the record. Plans are also taking shape for live performances, with FKJ's current vision favouring solo shows that best reflect the album's fully self-directed creation.

This continues his exploration of unique, transportive performance spaces, following landmark sets including Cercle's performance at Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni, Live From The Greenhouse with Yussef Dayes, and intimate performances from his own tropical home studio environment.

There's also something spiritual about FKJ sharing his story through songs, especially when others can immerse themselves in the 'Tyber' album experience, too. "All these events and places in the journey were essential, like a quest to become a more refined and evolved version of myself," he concludes. "I've listened back to the album over and over, and I still find myself being surprised and getting into a blissful state of mind. I just hope other people can feel the same way that I did while making the album."

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Lampara Books complements Department of Education's ARAL Program through a nationwide search in storytelling competition

Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista is part of the publishing house’s broader literacy efforts while encouraging children to find joy in reading

Lampara Books continues the tradition of promoting reading literacy through Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista 2026, a nationwide search for creative young storytellers. The Grand Finals concluded last September 12, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Manila in the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, where the top three finalists competed for the top plum in two separate categories.

Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista 2026, is part of Lampara Books’ broader advocacy to improve children’s relationship with reading. The initiative complements the literacy priorities identified by the Department of Education’s ARAL Program, which provides systematic intervention for learners requiring additional support in academic competencies, particularly reading.

Lampara Books has also championed its literacy programs, including Magbasa Tayo! (Marungko Approach) and Let’s Read! (Systematic Phonics). These initiatives form a continuum in Lampara Books’ varied reading advocacies, helping children develop a lasting appreciation for books and literature.

The winners of the Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista 2026, were announced during a key segment at this year’s Manila International Book Fair.

Category A (Grade 1-3):

1st Place: Catriona Xia C. Gacutan

2nd Place: Zander Skye H. Saplagio

3rd Place: Ameera Estelle E. Incognito

Category B (Grade 4-6):

1st Place: Czarina Sophia L. Hinanay

2nd Place: Ma. Daniela C. Mejos

3rd Place: Alamela G. Cacho

The finalists were evaluated by a panel composed of multidisciplinary artist and children’s rights advocate Pepot Atienza; storyteller, puppeteer, and professor Melanie Ramirez; UP Diliman creative writing and literature professor Eugene Evasco; UP Diliman Professor of Reading Education and children’s author Portia Padilla; and senior member of the Philippine Educational Theater Association, Csairus John Habla.

Inclusivity and representation

This year’s competition garnered 416 participants from 139 schools nationwide. 45 percent of the participants are from cities and provinces outside the National Capital Region (NCR). By allowing online submissions, Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista 2026 enabled children from far-flung communities and metropolitan areas to participate without the logistical challenges of traveling to the capital.

According to Segundo Matias Jr., the co-founder and president of Lampara Publishing House, Inc. (Lampara Books), the participants for this year’s edition stood out for their unique but spontaneous take on the craft. Instead of delivering obviously rehearsed interpretations, many of them approached the material with creativity and spontaneity despite their young age.

“Hindi maikakailang malikhain ang mga bata,” Matias admits, describing the participants’ performances this year as natural and highly creative. He noted that this quality gave the presentations a refreshing rawness, with the children interpreting the material with their own creative flavor.

A national concern

Reading advocacy remains a national concern that needs to be prioritized. Matias emphasized the need to cultivate a new generation of kids who see reading as meaningful, enjoyable, and worth returning to.

As children become increasingly reliant on advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista offers an alternative and sustainable pathway to promote the importance of reading in the modern age. The challenge is not to resist these changes but to ensure that technological progress does not come at the expense of children’s connection to reading. “Ang Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista ay isang inisyatibo para lalo pang matutong magbasa ang mga bata. Hindi tayo dapat magpabaya. Gusto ihatid ng Lampara Books na mas masaya ang pagbabasa, kaya ginawa itong pagtatanghal para lalo pang mapalaganap ang pagbabasa.”

Source: Nyou

Awich, CHICO CARLITO, ONE OK ROCK & Paledusk from YAO second single "FOR OKINAWA" debuts at #1 on Apple Music Japan

September 14th, 2026 – YAO, the newly formed Japanese music collective bringing together Awich, CHICO CARLITO, ONE OK ROCK, and Paledusk, has reached No. 1 on Apple Music Japan’s All-Genre Songs Chart with its second single, “FOR OKINAWA”. The track also topped LINE MUSIC’s real-time Top 100 Songs chart and is at no. 18 on the Apple Music global charts, marking a major milestone for the collective just two months after its debut.

Released on September 4, “FOR OKINAWA” has also extended YAO’s reach beyond music, featuring in the Netflix series 'Badly in Love 2', which stars YAO members Awich and Taka of ONE OK ROCK. The placement further connects the collective’s music with audiences across different forms of entertainment. The latest achievements come just two months after YAO made its debut with its first single, “777”, on July 7. With “FOR OKINAWA” becoming a No. 1 hit across two major Japanese music charts, YAO has already achieved a significant milestone with only its second release.

For its latest release, YAO turned toward something deeper and more personal: Okinawa. “FOR OKINAWA” grew out of conversations between the members, particularly around the experiences and perspectives of Awich and CHICO CARLITO, who were both born and raised in Okinawa. With its distinct culture and complex history, Okinawa became the starting point for a wider conversation about how people with different histories, values, and perspectives can understand one another. What began as a song rooted in one place ultimately evolved into something more universal — a reflection on what connects us when we look beyond the differences that often divide us.

While “FOR OKINAWA” begins with Okinawa, its message extends far beyond any single place. It is about understanding where we come from, listening to experiences different from our own, acknowledging different histories and perspectives, and considering the kind of world we want to leave for the next generation. In this sense, the song reflects the philosophy at the heart of YAO, inspired by “Yaoyorozu no Kami” and its belief in coexistence across different identities, values, and perspectives. Different sounds, different histories, different perspectives — not becoming the same, but learning how to exist together.

Listen to "FOR OKINAWA" here

About YAO

YAO is a new collaborative project uniting Awich, CHICO CARLITO, ONE OK ROCK, and Paledusk. The collective takes its name and inspiration from “Yaoyorozu no Kami,” an ancient Japanese concept that recognizes the sacred as existing in countless forms throughout the world. Rather than being centered around a single absolute belief, the concept has inspired YAO’s own philosophy of coexistence — that different people, perspectives, and values can exist alongside one another without having to become the same.

That philosophy sits at the heart of YAO. Bringing together four artists from distinct musical worlds, backgrounds, and perspectives, the collective embraces their differences as a source of creativity. Awich and CHICO CARLITO have emerged as distinctive voices in Japanese hip-hop, both carrying deep roots in Okinawa; ONE OK ROCK has built one of the most internationally recognised careers in Japanese rock; while Paledusk has developed a boundary-pushing sound from Japan’s alternative and heavy music scene.

Rather than coming together for a conventional feature or one-off collaboration, YAO was created as a collective with its own identity and purpose — exploring what becomes possible when different voices recognise, respect, and build alongside one another. It is a project rooted in connection, coexistence, and the belief that something entirely new can emerge when boundaries are transcended and differences are embraced.

Their debut single, “777,” introduced YAO through an explosive collision of their distinct musical identities, setting the stage for a project that continues to explore the possibilities of creative collaboration.

FOUR ARTISTS. DIFFERENT WORLDS. ONE PROJECT.

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Rol3ert Confirms Debut Album “meet me in my head,” Out October 21, and Reveals Cross-Border Collaboration with UK’s King No-One

(Credit: Exciter Records)

Japanese singer-songwriter Rol3ert has announced his debut full-length album, “meet me in my head,” arriving October 21, surprising fans by revealing the news live on stage at SUMMER SONIC 2026 TOKYO. The album marks his first-ever release on CD, alongside digital formats. The reveal capped a milestone summer that saw Rol3ert take the stage at both SUMMER SONIC 2026 TOKYO and OSAKA, delivering a 30-minute, full-band set in Tokyo on August 14 before dropping the album news at the very end of the show.

Spanning 14 tracks, “meet me in my head” brings together fan favourites like “savior” and “HOPE” alongside five brand new songs, plus reimagined album versions of “sweet tear” and “say my name.” The result is the fullest picture yet of an artist who has spent the past year and a half building a bridge between Japan and the rest of the world.

PRE-SAVE “meet me in my head” HERE

Album tracklist

1. Done

2. meaning

3. Boy

4. Aftertaste

5. i won’t see you anymore

6. savior

7. Realized

8. Kodoku

9. say my name - album version -

10. sweet tear- album version-

11. With you

12. (how could i be) honest?

13. HOPE

14. dreams

Manchester, UK indie band King No-One unveils “Transgressions” (feat. Rol3ert), out September 11, marking Rol3ert’s first collaboration with a UK band. The track is a standalone single and will not appear on the forthcoming album. “Transgressions” is King No-One frontman Zach Lount’s confessional anthem, where defiance against societal norms collides with the vulnerability found in love and self-acceptance. “Transgressions is an open and honest song about myself and how I never really got along with the normalities in our culture… until I fell in love and stopped resisting society and just accepted who I am,” he explains, inviting listeners to walk the same tightrope between rebellion and reconciliation.

After spending four weeks in Japan in the summer of 2025, King No-One connected with Rol3ert’s team, and the idea for a collaboration came together quickly. Rol3ert agreed without hesitation, and the wheels were set in motion to bring this exciting project to life. Although the two artists have yet to meet in person, completing the track entirely by exchanging audio files remotely, they share a mutual hope of one day meeting and performing the song live together.

For this new version, Rol3ert contributed vocals and new lyrics in Japanese:

届かない痛みの回想に浸ってくだけ, Lost in the echoes of an ache I cannot reach

壊れたままで, broken as I am

置いていかないで, don’t leave me behind

ただここにいて, just stay here

Where Zach arrives at self-acceptance in English, Rol3ert answers quietly in Japanese. And when the two voices melt into the refrain “Baby I belong to you,” the song is reborn as a duet between two solitudes, one in the UK, one in Japan, calling to each other across borders. As the obi-strip artwork, a homage to Japanese record packaging, suggests, this is more than a feature: it is UK indie and Japan’s new generation shaking hands through the music itself.

(Credit: King No-One, Exciter Records)

The album announcement caps a breakout year for Rol3ert. In 2026 he took home the Rising Radio Artist of the Year Award at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026, was selected for Spotify’s RADAR: Early Noise 2026, named one of Japan’s 25 representatives in Rolling Stone’s “Future of Music,” and chosen for SPACE SHOWER TV’s “NEW FORCE.” His single “savior” hit No.1 on the Billboard JAPAN Heatseekers Songs chart in February, and he sold out his headline show at Shibuya WWW X.

His international footprint has grown just as fast, with performances in Seoul, Singapore, and Taiwan, where his solo headline show sold out within three days of tickets going on sale. He now draws listeners from around the world on Spotify, has surpassed 160,000 YouTube subscribers, and videos featuring his music have amassed more than 21 million views on TikTok. His May collaboration with 17-year-old US singer-songwriter Maya, “ROMANTICIZE,” charted at No.20 on local radio in the Philippines.

Rol3ert will celebrate the album with “Rol3ert Live Tour 2026 ‘meet me in my head,’” hitting Osaka’s BIG CAT on November 6 and Tokyo’s Spotify O-EAST on November 12.

STREAM “Transgressions” HERE

About Rol3ert

Born in the United States in 2005 and raised in Japan, Rol3ert debuted in 2025 with a cross-cultural sound blending English lyricism and J-pop-influenced melodies. Over the summer of 2025, he performed at major festivals including FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ‘25 and SWEET LOVE SHOWER 2025, and in October was honoured with the Best Breakthrough Artist award at the Tokyo Alter Music Awards.

Following viral covers surpassing 4 million views, he broke through with “(how could i be) honest?” and “savior,” both regional viral hits with over 500,000 Spotify streams in the first month. In 2026, Rol3ert was selected for Spotify Japan’s RADAR: Early Noise 2026, named one of Japan’s 25 representatives in Rolling Stone’s global “Future of Music” project, chosen for “SPACE SHOWER NEW FORCE,” and received the Rising Radio Artist of the Year at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026. Alongside overseas performances in South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan, he also performed at SUMMER SONIC 2026 in Tokyo and Osaka.

With a growing listener base across Southeast Asia including Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, Rol3ert heads into the second half of 2026 with significant momentum behind him, announcing his debut album meet me in my head and a feature with UK’s King No-One.

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For more information, contact mabuhay@blackstar.space

One of the most influential South Korean rappers Kim Ximya releases 'Dogma', his first full-length album in six years

LISTEN HERE

AND IT'S NOT THE ALBUM YOU THINK YOU'VE HEARD

September 11th, 2026 – Kim Ximya has released ‘Dogma’, his second full-length album and first in six years. The 10-track digital release follows the surprise arrival of a 26-minute video of the same name on September 4, offering fans two distinct ways to experience the project. Fans can listen to the album here and watch the music video here. 

Across all ten tracks, Ximya worked with Sound Supply Service, a label recognised for its innovative and distinctive sound. The project also extends beyond its digital release, with a limited physical edition that takes an unconventional form: a compact listening device with a built-in speaker rather than a traditional CD. From the beginning, it was announced that the physical edition would feature music that differs from the digital release, adding another layer to the listening experience. The edition sold 3,500 copies through pre-orders alone, temporarily selling out at select retailers.

The album’s release follows the premiere of the 26-minute 'Dogma' music video, directed by artist and filmmaker Park Chan-kyong. The film brings together Park’s own paintings and video work with archival footage from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), reworked into a new visual piece for 'Dogma'. 

Kim Ximya - 'Dogma' (Official Music Video)

'Dogma' Tracklisting
1. Me Life & Nothing Else
2. Move My Feet
3. T-H-I-R-S-T-Y
4. It's That
5. 9 Out Of 10
6. HDI HDI HDI HDI HDI HDI 
7. Zulu Love
8. Hanat Dool Set
9. SOTS
10. Keep Counting
 

Listen to 'Dogma' here
Watch the music video here

About Kim Ximya

Kim Ximya, one of modern day’s most influential rappers in South Korea, has been making unprecedented headlines with media giants like the New York Times, Pitchfork, Billboard and BBC Radio.

Known to venture away from traditional sounds, lyrics and song structure, his name first skyrocketed into the public consciousness when he released his debut EP ‘KYOMI’ under the collaborative duo name XXX alongside producer FRNK. Across their releases 'KYOMI', 'LANGUAGE', and 'SECOND LANGUAGE', the duo blurred the boundaries between music, visual art, and contemporary culture. Their collaborations with French animator Mattis Dovier earned Vimeo Staff Picks, coverage from VICE and Animation Magazine, and screenings at film and music festivals around the world and also helped opened a new avenue for Korean hip hop to elevate and expand into the West.

XXX's music also attracted international critical attention from major news outlets globally. 'LANGUAGE' and 'SECOND LANGUAGE' received Pitchfork scores of 7.3 and 7.5 respectively, making them among the highest-rated Korean albums reviewed by the publication at the time. In 2019, XXX won Best Rap & Hip-Hop Song at the Korean Music Awards and joined experimental hip-hop group Injury Reserve as support on their North American tour.

Outside of XXX, Kim Ximya has continued expanding his solo catalog through releases including 'Moonshine', 'DOG', 'Bundle 1', and 'w18c', further establishing himself as both a rapper and producer. His collaborators have ranged from Beenzino, CL, Crush, and Jay Park to Cautious Clay and French producer Simo Cell, while his songwriting has also appeared on releases by BTS's V and NewJeans. 

Across these projects, Kim Ximya has consistently occupied a space where underground experimentation, electronic music, and contemporary pop intersect without fully belonging to any one scene. Today, he is one of the most sought after, go-to artists for features and other collaborations.

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