My books #onlygrowingup, #dateyourselffirst, #helpyourselfchoose, and #ibefriendedmyself are now at the @culturalcenterph Library! ✨ Please continue supporting me by buying my books here. 📚 NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!⚡️ #authorlife #amazonauthor @ukiyotopublishinghouse
Hello Denmark 🇩🇰
My books are available on Saxo Denmark 🇩🇰
Sony Music Entertainment Opens New Philippine Office
New headquarters located in Pasig City will be home to Sony Music Entertainment and label services company The Orchard to Continue Support of Local Artists and Repertoire
Manila, September 30, 2022 – Sony Music Entertainment (SME) Philippines today announced the opening of its new office in Manila, to continue the Company’s business to discover and develop the next generation of Filipino artists.
Located in Pasig City, a major business, entertainment and cultural hub, the new Office will be the home for SME Philippines and The Orchard Philippines, housing specialists in A&R and digital marketing to support SME Philippine’s roster of more than 70 local artists, discover and develop up-and-coming musical talent, and promote music from the country.
SME Philippines is home to some of the most well-known artists and musical groups in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, including Ben&Ben, SB19, NOBITA, Ace Banzuelo, and Clara Benin.
The opening event was attended by Pasig City Deputy Mayor Dodot Jaworski, as well as senior executives from Sony Music Group, artists, and business partners. Guests enjoyed performances by local SME stars Ace Banzuelo, I Belong to The Zoo, Alex Bruce, Clara Benin, Young Cocoa, and Of Mercury.
“The Philippines is a music-loving nation. It is exciting to witness the growth of the local music industry and see local musicians making it big regionally and internationally. We are heartened to see that Sony Music Philippines is calling Pasig City its home,” said Vice Mayor of Pasig City, DodotJaworski.
“Here, in the Philippines, the vibrant cultural fabric of the country has given rise to a new generation of artists who are pushing boundaries with their music and showcasing the best of local music,” said Shridhar Subramaniam, President, Corporate Strategy and Market Development, Asia and Middle East, Sony Music Entertainment. “The cultural diversity and creativity in the Philippines coupled with the pace of digital adoption presents enormous opportunities for artists to create and share their music, and we are committed to supporting their efforts.”
“Over the years, we have worked closely with musicians, creators and partners to build an impressive roster of local artists and provide each of them with best-in-class support,” said Roslyn Pineda, General Manager, Philippines, Sony Music Entertainment. “As a result, we’ve created numerous international hits and local favorites, as well as making our mark as the only music company with a Christian music sub label in the country. Looking ahead, we are ready to further our efforts to support Filipino music both in the country and beyond.”
Among the homegrown artists who have made a name for themselves regionally and internationally are Ben&Ben and SB19.
“Sony Music has been a lovely partner in helping us reach out to our fanbase, Liwanag, with our music,” said Ben&Ben. “They have opened so many doors for us, making it possible to bring the emotions and messages of the songs we’ve made to the people who need it. They have constantly given us renewed energy to keep pushing boundaries and keep moving forward, no matter what direction the wind blows. It’s an honor to be working alongside an organization full of passionate and dedicated people. As we embark on a new adventure with our first North American Tour, it’s sad that we’ll miss the opening of the new office, but we’re proud to see how far Sony Music Philippines has come.”
Five-member sensation SB19 debuted in late 2018 and has received widespread recognition with their singles, “What?”, “Alab (Burning)” and “Go Up”. The pop group was nominated for “Top Social Artist” at the 2021 Billboards Music Awards and has the longest-running number one hit in the history of Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart for “Bazinga”.
“Sony Music has been a key and vital partner for us through the years, helping us reach our fans and audiences through their wide and extensive network,” added SB19 in a statement. “From working with us on our first album, to supporting us on our recently released international single ‘WYAT’ and helping us with our upcoming world tour, we couldn't have asked for a better team. From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to congratulate them on the opening of their new office.”
Source: Nyou
P-Pop girl group KAIA pivot towards a more R&B-driven sound in new single “Dalawa”
The subdued, laid-back track explores unrequited romance with reassuring sweetness
P-Pop girl group KAIA explores a more R&B-leaning direction in their new single “Dalawa,” released under Sony Music Entertainment.
Standing out in sublime contrast with their previous releases, the five-member act’s smooth jam alludes to the idea of expressing infatuation in the most reassuring, youthful way.
“Dalawa is a song that tells a story familiar to many: catching unrequited feelings for someone close to you,” describes the eclectic pop quintet. “While it veers away from the upbeat, dance-pop tunes that we’ve been dishing out since our debut, this particular material sticks to our strengths as a girl group.”
Brimming with 2000s-indebted R&B melodies and whimsical beats, “Dalawa” embraces stylistic adventurousness with effortlessness that doesn’t overwhelm the vocals. The track is written and produced by Jayson Franz, who brings a mellow yet groovy direction to the Filipino group’s sound.
“I wanted a different approach for KAIA this time around, but I made sure to take into consideration their individual and collective personalities,” shares Franz. “I’ve added some string instruments and other sonic elements to help elevate the arrangements. But more importantly, the groove that I was trying to achieve was leaning towards Y2K R&B: simple, yet melodically interesting.”
According to Franz, KAIA was also heavily involved with the demo recording, making sure to relay their own inputs on vocal arrangements and the overall vibe of the song. “One of the memorable moments during the recording of the track was the first run of every member of KAIA,” adds Franz. “It was that moment when everyone knew that the song was really made for them. Each one of them has an own personality or taste in terms of the delivery of their lines.”
KAIA’s “Dalawa” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Source: Nyou
Singaporean-Filipino pop star Ysa Yanezadrops self-worth anthem “1Nightwithu”
The upbeat dance-pop track is produced by LA-based electronic artist Shubu, and mastered by Grammy-nominated sound engineer Stuart Hawkes
Singaporean-Filipino singer-songwriter Ysa Yanezareturns with an island-tinged, dance-pop track that evokes the days of Y2K aesthetics and frosty digital futurism.
Her new bop “1Nightwitu” celebrates women empowerment and encourages young ladies from varying cultures and upbringing to embrace their sexuality and value their self-worth.
According to the indie pop star and social media influencer, the song is also about knowing one’s self, exuding confidence, and promoting self-love, especially in a time where modern society still puts a conflicting pressure on how women should carry themselves in public.
“I’m really glad that I’ve stepped up my game in terms of completely understanding my individuality and sense of self,” said the promising newcomer. “This energy somehow reflects my work, and I’m really proud of how it has honed my artistry and way of thinking on a musical and visual level.”
The upbeat jam is penned by Ysa Yaneza herself, and co-written/produced by LA-based artist Shubu, who has worked with international music acts such as Paul Cherry, Anna Burch, and Dorian Electra. Grammy-nominated sound engineer Stuart Hawkes, who has shaped records by artists ranging from Charli XCX and Disclosure to Lorde and Mabel, also mastered the track, giving it a fuller, more intricate musical direction.
“For mastering, it was pretty last minute and I was so thankful that Stuart Hawkes was able to work on the track according to schedule,” the eclectic pop act shares. “I was looking up albums that I really liked from artists I would say influenced my sound and artistry, and that I wanted my songs and EP to have a similar sound direction, and I realized most of them had actually worked with Stuart Hawkes so it was a definite go for me.”
“1Nightwitu” is the official lead single of her upcoming self-titled EP, YSA, which follows journey towards heartbreak, reinvention and womanhood. Its accompanying music video, which was directed by Jaig D Guzman will be released on 04 October 2022.
Ysa will also be embarking on a Manila Press Tour this Nov 2022 to promote the EP. Aside from music, Ysa has garnered over 32,200 followers on TikTok with her original skits, style and personality.
“1Nightwitu” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide.
Source: Nyou
My Why
Thank you @aicaknows for reminding me of my WHY. Why I write books: it is to inspire my readers to read more! 📚 Buy my books here. 📖 #authorlife
TuneCore Expands In the Philippines as the First Global Digital Music Distribution Service for Self-Releasing Artists to Offer Localized Payment Wallets
New payment options offered in the Philippines to better serve local music creators
MANILA, September 29, 2022 – Leading independent DIY digital music distributor TuneCore, a division of global digital music company Paris-based Believe, expands its payment methods in the Philippines and Southeast Asia to better serve their growing artist base in the region. The first of its kind global agreement affirms the company’s commitment to providing the best user experience for independent artists in the Philippines and the SEA region where alternative payments options are more popular than credit cards.
TuneCore, whose international presence has more than doubled over the last 18 months, has partnered with global financial technology platform Adyen. The company has launched localized payment methods in the Philippines through Gcash. Others include Indonesia through Dana (GoPay coming soon), Vietnam through MoMo, and Global (Non-US countries) through China Union Pay.
Andreea Gleeson, CEO of TuneCore, emphasizes: “As TuneCore continues to expand, we not only offer best in class services on a worldwide level, the company also brings that same mindset to our local markets. For TuneCore artists, we not only want to support their artistry but we want to make it easy for them to distribute their music. Last year we launched the New Artist plan, which enables creators to release their music to social platforms for no upfront fee. Now with the launch of our expanded payment services, creators can access full distribution services seamlessly.”
Cyrus Chen, Head of TuneCore Southeast Asia, adds: “In Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam, card penetration remains low while e-wallets usage is quickly becoming ubiquitous among the population in recent years. By prioritizing our payments infrastructure to include local payment options that our artists prefer, demonstrates our commitment to the region’s growth. This is part of TuneCore's hyper-localization efforts to ensure the most positive user experience for our Southeast Asian artists.”
In the coming months, TuneCore will push the program out to other countries and regions. Earlier this year, TuneCore launched its revolutionary new pricing program which allows artists at any stage of their careers to distribute their music. The program allows music creators to release tracks and albums on an unlimited basis via plans ranging from free/no upfront cost (new artist), $14.99 (rising artist), $29.99 (breakout artist) to $49.99 (professional).
Faryal Khan-Thompson, Vice President, International, TuneCore, shares: “Southeast Asia is an important market for TuneCore as there is an abundance of talent and growth in the region. Our partnership with Adyen simplifies and streamlines payments, giving access to music creators who previously would not have been able to distribute.”
About TuneCore
TuneCore is the global platform for independent musicians to build audiences and careers – with technology and services across distribution, publishing administration and a range of promotional services. TuneCore Music Distribution services help artists, labels and managers sell their music through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TikTok, Tencent and more than 150 download and streaming stores worldwide, while retaining 100 percent of their sales revenue and rights for a low annual flat fee. TuneCore Music Publishing Administration assists songwriters by administering their compositions through licensing, registration, worldwide royalty collections, and placement opportunities in film, TV, commercials, video games and more. The TuneCore Artist Services portal offers a suite of tools and services that enable artists to promote their craft, connect with fans, and get their music heard. TuneCore, part of Believe, is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, and Austin, and operates globally through local teams based in the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Japan and Singapore across 5 continents. www.tunecore.com
About Believe
Believe is one of the world’s leading digital music companies. Believe’s mission is to develop artists and labels in the digital world by providing them the solutions they need to grow their audience at each stage of their career and development. Believe’s passionate team of digital music experts around the world leverages the Group’s global technology platform to advise artists and labels, distribute and promote their music. Its 1,565 employees in more than 50 countries aim to support independent artists and labels with a unique digital expertise, respect, fairness and transparency. Believe offers its various solutions through a portfolio of brands including TuneCore, Nuclear Blast, Naïve. Groove Attack and AllPoints. Believe is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: BLV. ISIN: FR0014003FE9).
Source: Nyou
LOIR addresses own personal struggles in new single “MAMA”
The R&B singer-songwriter delivers a stripped-down ballad with an emotional pull
R&B singer-songwriter LOIR submits to the pull of her heart in her new single “MAMA,” released under Sony Music Entertainment.
On the stripped-down ballad, the talented newcomer asks big questions about life’s purpose and her conflicting sense of direction. But while doing the things that she loves the most comes with existential baggage, LOIR recognizes the need to work on herself and apologize for her misgivings.
“I’ve made some decisions in the past that I’m not happy about,” says the budding young artist. “This song is my way of closing that chapter in life, and hoping that I’ve made my parents proud as I welcome change with positivity, dreams, and love. I’m more than inspired to do well in my chosen craft.”
Starting out slow and assured with just a piano to accompany LOIR’s lush, dreamy vocals, “MAMA” further progresses into an emotional epiphany and peels its layers with a hopeful note that “she is still here and is going to hold to whatever is left”—her family and dreams, included.
The song is written and arranged by LOIR herself, with production by frequent collaborators HavoMusic and Goodson.
“I started working on the instrumentals for MAMA before I asked sir Havomusic and Goodson to be involved in the production work,” shares LOIR. “While I developed the structure and melody for this particular track, both of them added a more emotional touch to the sonic palette. The final product maintains the rawness of the original, but it’s also more vulnerable and powerful to an extent.”
Before signing up with Sony Music Entertainment, LOIRhas collaborated with some of the biggest names in the local hip-hop/R&B scene, including Gloc-9 on socio-realist gems “SANIB and “OKA” and Guddhist Gunatita’s on smash single “DALAMPASIGAN.” LOIR is also part of Asintada Management and Production Inc.—home of artists such as Gloc-9 and Shanti Dope. To date, she has amassed more than four million streams on YouTube and Spotify combined.
LOIR’s “MAMA” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.
Source: Nyou
ADB PLANS $14 BILLION TO EASE FOOD CRISIS, PROMOTE LONG-TERM FOOD SECURITY IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (27 September 2022)—The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today announced plans to provide at least $14 billion over 2022–2025 in a comprehensive program of support to ease a worsening food crisis in Asia and the Pacific, and improve long-term food security by strengthening food systems against the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. The assistance expands ADB’s already significant support for food security in the region, where nearly 1.1 billion people lack healthy diets due to poverty and food prices which have soared to record highs this year. The funding will be channeled through existing and new projects in sectors including farm inputs, food production and distribution, social protection, irrigation, and water resources management, as well as projects leveraging nature-based solutions. ADB will continue to invest in other activities which contribute to food security such as energy transition, transport, access to rural finance, environmental management, health, and education. “This is a timely and urgently needed response to a crisis that is leaving too many poor families in Asia hungry and in deeper poverty,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa, in remarks at ADB’s 55thAnnual Meeting. “We need to act now, before the impacts of climate change worsen and further erode the region’s hard-won development gains. Our support will be targeted, integrated, and impactful to help vulnerable people, particularly vulnerable women, in the near-term, while bolstering food systems to reduce the impact of emerging and future food security risks. ”The Russian invasion of Ukraine has disrupted supplies of food staples and fertilizer, straining a global food system already weakened by climate change impacts, pandemic-related supply shocks, and unsustainable farming practices. Asia and the Pacific is vulnerable to food shocks, as some of its countries depend on imported staples and fertilizer. Even before the invasion of Ukraine, nutritious food was unaffordable for significant portions of the population in many ADB low-income member countries. As well as supporting vulnerable people, ADB’s food security assistance will promote open trade, improve small holder farm production and livelihoods, ease shortages of fertilizer and promote its efficient use or organic alternatives, support investments in food production and distribution, enhance nutrition, and boost climate resilience through integrated and nature-based solutions. A key focus will be to protect the region’s natural environment from climate change impacts and biodiversity loss, which have degraded soils, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.
.“An important part of our long-term approach is to safeguard natural resources and support farmers and agribusinesses which produce and distribute much of the region’s food, and to promote open trade to ensure it reaches consumers efficiently,” said Mr. Asakawa. Assistance under the program will start this year and continue through 2025. It will be drawn from across ADB’s sovereign and private sector operations, and seek to leverage an additional $5billion in private sector cofinancing for food security. ADB will apply lessons learned from supporting its members during the global food crisis in 2007–2008 and through the implementation of its food security operational plan the following year. Since then, ADB has provided $2 billion in annual investments in food security. In 2018,ADB identified food security as a key operational priority. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
Source: ADB
Khalid drops futuristic music video of new song “Satellite”
Multiplatinum-selling global superstar Khalid releases his new single “Satellite” along with the music video via Right Hand Music Group/ RCA Records. Driven by Khalid’s melodic vocals, the vibrant pop production comes to life in the shimmering futuristic visual directed by Levi Turner.
“Satellite is a visual portrait of my growth as a human being & the self-love journey I have experienced in my life,” said Khalid.
The video sees Khalid embracing a futuristic world, being one with the planets and other incredible advancements.
Last month, Khalid and Marshmello performed their latest single “Numb” at the MTV Video Music Awards. “Numb” marks the artists’ second collaboration following their 6x platinum smash hit “SILENCE”.
Earlier this year, Khalid released the dreamy track “Skyline” which came alongside a colorful music video.
Khalid’s “Satellite” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Right Hand Music Group/RCA Records/Sony Music.
To Buy/Stream/Watch “Satellite”:
Multi - https://khalid.lnk.to/Satellite
Music Video - https://khalid.lnk.to/Satellite/youtube
Follow Khalid:
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Source: Nyou
Drag Playhouse PH honors Beyonce’s Renaissance with culture-defining themed show
The Category is… A night of a thousand Beyoncé.
Drag Playhouse Philippines recently celebrated the music of Beyoncé through a thematic show that further highlights the megastar’s enormous contribution to queer pop culture.
Aptly titled HOUSE 628 LIVE: THE RENAISSANCE BALL, the event provided an outlet for the queens of Drag Playhouse Philippines to express themselves freely without judgment, while sashaying to Beyoncé’s club-thumping 2022 album, Renaissance, and classic hits.
Aside from high-profile Drag Performances of OV Cunt, Marina Summers, Prince, and Eva Le Queen—three of them currently getting valuable airtime at Drag Race Philippines, the drag show also hosted friendly battles in several categories namely Drag Face, where contestants showcase exceptional makeup skills by serving mug on the runway; Drag Runway, where contestants exhibit head-to-toe fierceness during their runway walk; and Lip Sync Challenge, where they pull their most creative tricks in synchronizing their lips to a prerecorded track.
A special drag performance featuring Viñas DeLuxe added more star power to an already eventful night as she performed a medley of Beyoncé’s hits, with House OfMizrahi Philippines, a local chapter of the Voguing community, joining in some of the performances. A purely Beyoncé-themed DJ set tucked in between the program segments also hyped the crowd, prompting them to sing and dance along to the Homecoming Queen’s iconic bops from the late ‘90s to the present.
Marina Summers, a fan-favorite and frontrunner at this year’s Drag Race Philippines, expressed how Beyoncé shaped her youth. “Her work has been an inspiration for a lot of queer artists, and personally, I’ve always loved performing to her songs. And ever since the Renaissancealbum came out, just like Queen B herself, my creative path has been challenged to be more innovative and unique.”
Another Drag Race Philippines favorite and drag icon, Eva Le Queen, spoke adoration for Beyonce, pointing out how her music is a gift to the world. “Beyonce has always been an icon and inspiration to the community. Her strong and alpha energy resonated so much to a lot of us Drag Queens who are essentially the face and frontliners of the equality movement for the community. Her music, her soul, her POWER has allowed me to live my life in my own terms and take Eva Le Queen to greater heights. Being a female, POC and be THE QUEEN B is a permission for all of us to be the best that we can be.”
Like Summers and Eva Le Queen, fellow Drag Race Philippines contestant and queen extraordinaire PRINCE, considers Beyoncé as an important figure in influencing her drag persona. She also considers Renaissance as an envelope-pushing record that deserves its place in the pantheon of pop music greats. “It’s totally different from her past records. Most songs were sampled from classic disco hits but somehow Beyoncé made it sound fresh and that’s what makes it great.”
OV CUNT, another royalty in the contemporary drag scene, also showered Beyonce praises, particularly her new album Renaissance, for empowering listeners to be unapologetically, themselves. “It has awoken parts of the colorful history of our community, whether it’s intentional or not. It gave the world possibly new names of icons that may or might not be forgotten by the past. The mention of houses from ball culture, the use of Moi Renee’s Miss Honey in the Pure/Honey—it gives you every opportunity to reference every icon that contributed to our community today.”
Watch the video for the roundup of HOUSE 628 LIVE: THE RENAISSANCE BALL, Category is: A Night of a Thousand Beyoncé.
Listen to This Is Beyoncé playlist here.
Source: Nyou
Lil Nas X teams up with League Of Legends for Worlds Championship anthem STAR WALKIN’
The release of the song comes with an animated visual highlighting the iconic landmarks of San Francisco City
Fresh off back-to-back sold out shows at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall, multiplatinum recording artist and the new President of League of Legends, Lil Nas X, has joined forces with LoL Esports to unveil his new single and this year’s highly-anticipated Worlds Championship anthem, “STAR WALKIN’ (League of Legends Worlds Anthem).“
The song arrives alongside an animated official video that highlights iconic landmarks in San Francisco, the destination city for the World Final, and League of Legends pros past and present. The environment transforms as the pros move throughout the city, showcasing the sport’s iconic place in culture and the mastery of each pro as they leave their mark on the world. An easter egg can be found through almost every shot, from regional league flair to giant Champions-turned-mechs to fun facts about the pros of LoL Esports. Lil NasX will take the stage with an unforgettable live performance at the Worlds Opening Ceremony presented by Mastercard leading into the World Final at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday, November 5.
Lil Nas X is currently on his sold out Long Live Montero world tour, with Chicago Sun-Times noting “Lil Nas X comes across as an icon in the making,” adding that the show is a “multi-sensory feast” that “comes off like a big Vegas residency.” The one-of-a-kind show is making its way across North America with additional stops in Europe this fall. For dates and more information, visit longlivemontero.com.
Last week, Lil Nas X expressed enthusiasm when he came onboard as the new President of League of Legends.
“I felt like it was time for me to try something new. I’ve left my mark on pop culture in so many ways, and now it’s time to take on the world of gaming. I will be the greatest President, of League of Legends, of all time. Also, I’m going to make the best Worlds anthem of all time and put on the biggest, coolest, sexiest Worlds in the history of all Worlds!”
Follow Lil Nas X:
Twitter // Instagram // TikTok
Source: Nyou
I Befriended Myself: Now Available on Paperback!
Hello friends in the Philippines! I am happy to announce that the paperback copies of my latest book, #ibefriendedmyself, are now available! Bili na kayo sa link na to. 📖 #authorlife #amazonauthor @ukiyotopublishinghouse
PLAN B tackles the importance of chasing one’s dreams in “Balang Araw” music video
The Filipino hip-hop collective delivers another fun hip-hop jam with crossover appeal
Filipino group PLAN B puts a fun and delightful take on hip-hop with the release of their new single “BalangAraw.”
Tackling the beauty of chasing one’s dreams in a world where anything is possible, the 10-member collective transforms positivity and ambition into a universal call and delivers another hit-making jam for the crossover audience.
“The song is about people who are never afraid to dream big,” PLAN B shares. “We want to inspire them further to hustle responsibly, and never stop believing in themselves.”
The euphoric rap tune is produced by prolific beatsmithCTBeatsPH with the intention to make it sound uplifting and inspiring as far as creative direction is concerned. Almost half of the members have songwriting credits, with Kier, Gosge, and DK writing the first, second, and third verse respectively, and Mateo penning the chorus.
The release of the track is accompanied by a music videodeveloped and made by Chapters PH, a group of creative visual storytellers. According to the team responsible for working on the MV for “Balang Araw,” the narrative sprung from “a collaborative conceptualization on what to fit the boys’ image and very relaxed personalities as well.”
“We wanted to make sure we show how they portrayed themselves as they are and being able just be able to express their inner child and thankfulness to what has come to them,” Chapters PH says in a collective statement. “The ultimate goal is to just be light and fun."
PLAN B is an up-and-coming hip-hop/rap ensemble, consisting of members from all around the Philippines: Alyas Dom (Metro Manila), DK (Pangasinan), Dyno (Bicol), Gio (Metro Manila), G-Next (Laguna), GOSGE (Cavite), Kaizler (Pangasinan), Kier (Pangasinan), and Skyruz (Misamis Oriental).
PLAN B’s “Balang Araw” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the music video here.
Source: Nyou
MITCH JAMES RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE ‘MOTIONS’ OUT NOW, AND ANNOUNCES SOPHOMORE ALBUM PATIENCE OUT NOVEMBER 4TH
Mitch James is back with an anthem for the times releasing ‘motions’ and announcing his sophomore album patience out November 4th, 2022.
On motions, Mitch says “it’s for all of you who have been lost or just look at life and think ‘are you fu@#ing serious right now?’
I had to open the album with this song. If I were to describe this song in one sentence I would say ‘it’s about the inevitability of losing yourself on the way to finding yourself.’
I had an extremely shit 4 years since my first album. My own health issues, family health issues, constant roadblocks in my career, COVID, failed album attempts, singles that didn’t work. I had to write a song that summarised that feeling of helplessness with life drowning you - but still having that will to see it through and stick it out to the other side.
It’s a powerful song that truly means a lot to me, and I hope you can relate to it in your own way. I remember being in the studio and coming in - Graham & Ryan already laid down the guitar chords. All I had to do was as channel the truth, and the words just came out.”
An official visualiser is being released with the track.
Today Mitch also announced his sophomore album patience is to be released November 4th this year.
“The whole focus of the writing was to be brutally honest and brutally vulnerable,” James says.
The bulk of the album was written and recorded in early 2022, after James travelled to Los Angeles and met up with writer, producer and former Tonight Alive guitarist, Whakaio Taahi.
James and Taahi struck up a creatively stimulating rapport, which allowed James to access new creative territory and fully embrace his position as a pop front person. Crucially, Taahi gave James the freedom to be himself.
“I’m a bit of an over-sharer,” James says. “That’s who I am and that’s who my fans want me to be.”
To date Mitch James has over 200 million streams globally, 6 million TikTok views and over 3 million video views and the release of‘motions’ and his upcoming album patience is set to only increase these impressive numbers!
‘motions’ is available everywhere now and patience is available to pre-order now.
Source: Sony Music Philippines
JUSTIN JESSO EP “Finding The Opposite Of Loneliness”
Life is full of contradictions, and as humans, we all know there are two sides to each story. Just like most people, L.A. based singer and songwriter Justin Jesso has experienced the light and the dark, good and bad times, and knows that the secret to happiness lies in finding the right balance and learning to navigate between the ups and the downs. On his EP “Finding The Opposite Of Loneliness”, he takes listeners on a sonic and emotional ride across nine incredible tracks that are all based on his own life experiences.
Divided into two parts, “Finding The Opposite Of Loneliness” kicks off with the tracks “Lose Ya” and “Clarity”, which were both released earlier this year, and deal with the loss of oneself as well as a significant other, and exploring the confusion of trying to get both back. “If You’re Meant To Come Back” is about the realization that you really can’t control anything, and that if it’s meant to come back to you, it will. “There is both sadness and peace in that one,” Jessoexplains about track #3 on the EP, which is followed by the dramatic up-tempo ballad“Lifeline”. Track #5 is one of two songs on the EP which are unreleased to date: “Drink Alone”, which touches on the subject of coping with loneliness. With dark and pounding piano chords and heartfelt vocals, the track once again showcases Justin Jesso’s incredible talent for wrapping deep emotions into authentic, melodic earworms that many can relate to.
“Bigger than” rings in part two of “Finding The Opposite Of Loneliness”, and talks about going after what is most important, with its follow up song “Miracle” (the second brand new track on the EP), covering the discovery of just that in a happy-go-lucky tune. In “400 Trillion”, Jesso sings about how incredible it is to find that special someone against all statistic odds, with“The End” - the last track on the EP - marking the beginning of a next chapter and discussing the realization that what you had and might have lost will always have a place of significance.
About dividing up the EP, Justin Jesso explains: “I split this EP into two parts - The songs where things are aspirational or going well, and the songs where I am struggling with the loss either of myself or of a significant other. The first part of the EP is where I am the loneliest … where I am struggling to find happiness or myself. The second part of the EP is where I have found the opposite of loneliness and am most happy.”
Aside from his own releases, Justin Jesso has made a name for himself writing for superstars like Ricky Martin, Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, and even the Backstreet Boys. Furthermore, his hit single, “Stargazing” with legendary artist Kygo, has garnered him hundreds of millions of streams, views, gold and platinum certifications in countries all across the world, and even a Grammy nomination. Describing his musical development, he says: “My Musical style is evolving. This two-part EP covers songs that were released right at the top of the pandemic, most reflective of me coming into myself and my sound, and newer songs like “Lose Ya” that push the envelope on where I plan to go musically.”
“Finding The Opposite Of Loneliness” (EP) byJustin Jesso is out now.
TRACK LIST:
EP - PART 1
LOSE YA
CLARITY
IF YOU’RE MEANT TO COME BACK
LIFELINE
DRINK ALONE
EP - PART 2
BIGGER THAN
MIRACLE
400 TRILLION
THE END
Source: Sony Music Philippines
Kenshi Yonezu joins Chainsaw Man soundtrack with opening theme song “KICK BACK”
The multiplatinum Japanese singer-songwriter and producer wrote the track specifically for the anime adaptation of the hit manga series
Sony Music recently announced that multiplatinum J-Pop singer-songwriter and producer KENSHI YONEZU’s new release “KICK BACK” will serve as the opening theme song to the much-awaited new anime series CHAINSAW MAN. The track features arrangements composed in collaboration with Daiki Tsuneta of King Gnu, one of the most famous and best-selling Japanese bands, and includes samples from J-pop girl group Morning Musume’s single “Souda! We’re Alive.”
On the track, KENSHI YONEZU says, “I wrote this ‘KICK BACK’ for the anime adaptation of CHAINSAW MAN. This is such an honor, as I love the original manga series. Finding the right sounds for this immensely powerful series was challenging, but I created this song by patiently building it up, one piece at a time. I hope you enjoy listening to it. Thank you very much.”
Set for on-air on Tuesday, October 11 on Crunchyroll and others, the upcoming action-horror series is an adaptation of the global manga phenomenon by Tatsuki Fujimoto, which boasts sales of over 15 million copies for Volumes 1-11, with Part 2 currently serialized in Shonen Jump.
News of Yonezu’s opening theme was announced today at the CHAINSAW MAN World Premiere Event, which featured voice actors Kikunosuke Toya (Denji), Tomori Kusunoki (Makima), Shogo Sakata (Aki Hayakawa), Fairouz Ai (Power) and director Ryu Nakayama in attendance. After screening the first episode of the series, audiences were treated to a teaser video featuring “KICK BACK” alongside messages from Kenshi Yonezu and Daiki Tsuneta (King Gnu/millennium parade). News of the track was revealed alongside a number of exciting announcements surrounding the series, including additional cast members and the debut of new visuals from the anime. Also announced today was the series’ ending theme song and a list of tracks featured in the series from a lineup of 12 musicians. The ending theme songs for the 12-episodes for the TV anime "Chainsaw Man" will change every episode/week by ano, Eve, Aimer, Kanaria, Queen Bee, syudou, ZUTOMAYO, TK from Ling tosite Sigure, TOOBOE, Vaundy, PEOPLE 1. Viewers are able to find out which artist will be in charge of which episode every week with different ending videos.
ABOUT CHAINSAW MAN
Denji is a teenage boy living with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita. Due to the debt his father left behind, he has been living a rock-bottom life while repaying his debt by harvesting devil corpses with Pochita. One day, Denji is betrayed and killed. As his consciousness fades, he makes a contract with Pochita and gets revived as "Chainsaw Man" — a man with a devil's heart.
Kenshi Yonezu is no stranger to breaking records and making history. His 2020 album STRAY SHEEP sold 1.5 million physical copies and, cumulatively with digital streams, 2 million copies on the Oricon Album Chart. The album charted at No. 1 across 54 countries, and Yonezu topped 46 year-end charts in 2020. The 15-track album features his smash hit single “Lemon,” which ranked No. 1 on Billboard Japan’s annual cumulative charts for two years consecutively, making history as the first-ever act to do so.
That same year, he became the first Asian artist ever to collaborate with FORTNITE for a virtual event – STRAY SHEEP in Fortnite. The innovative and global virtual concert, which reached the game’s audience of over 350 million players, is just one of the many contributing factors to his acclaim both within and outside of Japan. He collaborated with Uniqlo on a UT T-shirt available in shops worldwide and partnered in the GIVENCHY SS21 collection look book alongside a star-studded roster of celebrities across the globe. He ranked 7th in the IFPI GLOBAL Chart and was listed in Forbes as one of Asia’s Digital Stars 100. In Japan, he received the Best Newcomer, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Art Department Prize.
In January 2022, Yonezu wrote "POP SONG" for a PlayStation® commercial and appeared in the commercial, marking the first time ever an artist has had a new song unveiled through PlayStation. The campaign, “Play Has No Limits featuring Kenshi Yonezu,” won the Bronze Prize in the Entertainment for Music Category at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the only work from Asia to win an award in that category.
In May 2022, he wrote "M87" as the theme song for the movie Shin Ultraman. He released the single with cover art featuring Ultraman, the world's third top-selling licensed character since the 1980s.
As for his music videos, “Lemon” has over 760 million views and the numbers continue to grow as he continues to set new records for a Japanese artist. A total of 15 songs (“Lemon,” “Eine Kleine,” “LOSER,” “Peace Sign,” “Haiiro to Ao [with Masaki Suda] [Grey And Blue],” “orion,” “Flamingo,” “Kanden,” “Uchiage Hanabi [Fireworks],” “Shunrai [Spring Thunder],” “Paprika,” “Uma To Shika [Horse and Deer],” “Paprika” sung by Foorin, “Machigai Sagashi” [Spotting The Mistake] sung by Masaki Suda) have been viewed a staggering 100 million times and he has over 6.3 million subscribers on his official YouTube channel.
Source: Nyou
Vote for Speak Write Live!
My Book Signing
My book signing at the @manilabookfair was a success! Thank you to @ukiyotopublishinghouse and @feu_publications for this opportunity ❤️ next year ulit! ⚡️ #amazonauthor #authorlife
Book Signing!
Join me at the @feu_publications booth for my book signing at 4pm, 09/17! This is my first appearance as an author at the @manilabookfair and I am thrilled to represent my two publishers, @ukiyotopublishinghouse and @centralbooksph 🖤 #authorlife