The genre-bending release merges Brazilian funk and Afrobeat pop with sharp lyrical bite
Manila, Philippines – Filipino singer-songwriter Dom Guyot teams up with Filipina femcee Zae for “manloloko,” a summer-ready bop that blends infectious rhythms with confrontational verses. The track doubles as a call for listeners to reclaim their voice and refuse manipulation in all forms.
Lyrically speaking, “manloloko” is about exposing deception and standing firm against people who exploit others for personal gain—be it your loved ones, friends, or the folks in power. Through unfiltered storytelling and fierce vocal performances, Dom and Zae flip the narrative on men who believe they can deceive without consequences.
“I wanted a track that feels like a big FU to people who have used me in the past,” admits the R&B-pop newcomer. “It’s like a sequel to Kabit, but this time I’m taking my power back and giving it a much more positive and empowering message and a very forward writing style instead of the satirical style Kabit had.”
While in the process of developing the track, Dom thought of recruiting acclaimed rapper Zae to hop on the beat, as her distinct voice is the right fit for the material. Being a fan of Zae’s work, he hit her up on socials in July of last year, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“While making the song, I knew it needed a female perspective, as the girls and the gays are statistically almost always victimized by men who can’t keep it in their pants,” Dom reveals. “And Zae just felt like the perfect fit. Her voice, her writing style, her demeanor. We connected instantly. The vibes were there from the jump, and that mutual respect and admiration really shaped what the track ended up becoming.”
With each artist contributing their own lyrical and sonic identity to create a cohesive whole, “manloloko” ends up being a fun jam that brims with so much chemistry and flavor. As Dom puts it, “We both handled our parts. Everything I sang, including the hook, came from me. Everything Zae spit was fully hers. But we bounced off each other so naturally that the song just clicked.”
Sonically, “manloloko” takes inspiration from Brazilian funk and Afrobeats while retaining a contemporary pop-rap sound that mirrors the song’s confidence. Produced with emphasis on rhythm and attitude, the track delivers moments of catharsis on the dance floor.
A standout moment in the release comes through its conversational bridge, where Dom and Zae reject conflict and unite in solidarity against manipulation and misogyny. The exciting part mentioned reinforces the bigger picture: empowerment grows stronger through collective understanding, honest, and self-respect.
“Society loves to crucify the gays and girls for the simplest things yet let straight men get away with everything,” Dom explains. “So that moment of solidarity felt important. It turned the song into something bigger than just a cheating story. It became standing up for each other and not taking any L’s from men.”
Dom Guyot’s “manloloko” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the music video, to be released at 6pm today. MV link here.
Source: Nyou