Singaporean electronic producer Foxela and singer-songwriter Chelsea Cara release ‘wanted you so bad’ via Umami Records

Seventeen-year-old Singaporean electronic producer Foxela and singer-songwriter Chelsea Cara have released their brand new single ‘wanted you so bad’ today via Singapore indie label Umami Records.

Chelsea decided to write the song after experiencing rejection from someone she really liked. “I tried to show the dilemma I was facing and the painful choices I had to make,” the alt pop singer-songwriter shares, “I had all these emotions I was trying to make sense of.”

“Am I building a wall just to break it / am I strong enough to hold it down / but with one look, oh no you got me now”, sings Chelsea, building up to Foxela’s cathartic instrumental drop. She channels her frustrations with a delicate but soulful performance that feels at home with the song’s tropical house-inspired production.

“The drop is definitely my favourite part of the song”, shares Foxela, “I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone and I’m really happy with the result.”

‘wanted you so bad’ is the second single the 2 classmates have worked on together, the first, ‘Live On’, was released earlier this year. Foxela will be keeping up the prolific pace of his work through 2020, with a new release planned for every month, including upcoming collabs with Dr. Boomy, DNAKM and Tyraz.

wanted you so bad’ by Foxela and Chelsea Cara is available everywhere.

About Foxela

The alias of 17-year-old Singaporean electronic producer Nigel Quah, Foxela is a non- Grammy-winning artist, crafting music with a blend of future bass, future house and a touch of pop. At the age of 17, Foxela became the youngest Singaporean to reach a million streams on Spotify.

Nigel ventured into the realms of music production at the tender age of 9, sharing his older sister’s Macbook when she didn’t need it for school. Since starting the Foxela project in 2016, his prolific pace has led to more than 40 releases already under his belt. In 2019, he released As You Do, which reached #13 on Spotify’s official Singapore Viral 50 chart, surpassing Billie Eilish and BTS, both of whom have yet to respond to his offers for a collaboration. This was followed by Wild Love which has more than 330K streams on Spotify.

Foxela has also been featured on various Spotify editorial playlists such as Top Hits Singapore, Singapore’s Top Acts, Electro Mix and Party Life.

“His is a sound that is informed by the titanic sweep of the spectrum of electronic music, where ‘dance’ is only a signifier and not the endgame.” – Hear65 (SG)

“With well over a dozen tracks under his belt, it is safe to say that you can expect more from this talented up-and-coming producer in the near future.” – Orange Magazine (PH)

About Chelsea Cara

A bright new upcoming talent hailing from Singapore, Chelsea Cara debuted in 2020 with her first feature, ‘Live On’, with Foxela and brittle bear. She is an aspiring singer-songwriter who mainly writes pop songs while exploring other genres such as r&b and lo-fi.

Writing songs from her own personal experiences, she wishes to touch and inspire young hearts through her music.

Aia, Barbie and Kitchie to hold online concert for the benefit of music venue workers

Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, and Kitchie Nadal are teaming up with GNN (formerly known as Gabi Na Naman Productions) and Smirnoff Mule for a special digital concert to raise funds for the employees and workers of live music venues in Metro Manila.

Happening on May 1, Friday at 8:00 pm, the Facebook show will serve as the third installment of their critically acclaimed, sold-out concert, Secrets and will be streamed live on the trio’s official Facebook page.

The initiative is part of the alternative rock icons’ ongoing efforts to help the music community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a primer to GNN’s 5th anniversary celebration.

“Deprived of operating to serve people with live entertainment, music venues have temporarily shut down, and are struggling to manage their overhead expenses,” says Gabi Na Naman Productions’ Milley Habito, one of the executive producers of Secrets III: An Online Concert featuring Aia, Barbie and Kitchie. “Thanks to the girls, we’ll be given a chance to cover some of the funds needed to support employees and workers of independent music venues and bars. We cannot imagine a vibrant, bustling music scene without these people who have dedicated their lives in helping run the gigs. The waiters, cooks, kitchen helpers, cashiers, parking attendants, food servers, tech guys, security personnel and other employees deserve our help too.”

Some of the confirmed beneficiaries include independent music venues such as Route 196, Mow’s, Saguijo Café & Bar, Jess and Pat’s, ‘70s Bistro, 123 Block, Social House and more to be announced.

The star-studded fundraiser and concert will also feature never-before-heard collaborations among the three award-winning singer-songwriters, as well as individual performances featuring their Greatest Hits and rarities.

Image and details provided in a recent press release.

Watch first seasons of HBO Originals for FREE on HBO GO for the next month

Here’s another reason to stay home and do your part… by watching TV on the sofa! Entire first seasons of select iconic HBO Originals and HBO Asia Originals are now available for free for one month starting 15 April on HBO GO – no registration or subscription is required.

Free HBO First Seasons

Never got around to seeing (or desperate to re-watch) dramas like ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘The Wire’? Now you can. The iconic shows are also joined by the award-winning series that everyone’s talking about right now, ‘Succession’. And if you need a laugh? Try these hit comedies: ‘Ballers’, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson; ‘Barry’, with Bill Hader; ‘Silicon Valley’, featuring Thomas Middleditch and Kumail Nanjiani; and satire ‘Veep’, starring serial Emmy-winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Closer to home, check out ‘Folklore’, a horror anthology series with each episode based on folklore from Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand; ‘Invisible Stories’, which tells untold stories from the heartlands in a fictional neighbourhood housing estate in multi-cultural Singapore; ‘Miss Sherlock’, a bold interpretation of the classic Sherlock Holmes, re-envisioned in Japanese and set in modern-day Tokyo; ‘The Teenage Psychic’, a coming-of-age story from Taiwan that revolves around a 16-year-old girl with the ability to see spirits but wants to lead a typical teenage high school life; and ‘The World Between Us’, another Taiwanese series that follows the aftermath of a mass-shooting.

For documentary lovers, try ‘McMillion$’, which digs deep into the McDonalds Monopoly game scandal; ‘Jane Fonda In Five Acts’, which centres around the life, work, activism and controversies of the actress and fitness tycoon; and ‘The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley’, which investigates the rise and fall of a one-time multibillion-dollar healthcare company.

The free HBO content may also be available through other partner platforms. Remember, once you’ve finished watching the first season of your new favourite show, you can also get the full experience, through the HBO GO app, which comes with a 7-day free trial (and Game of Thrones) when you download the app from App Store or Play Store on your device.

HBO is available on SKYcable Ch. 54 SD/Ch. 168 HD (for Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Lipa-Batangas) or on Ch. 402 SD/710 HD (for Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo). SKYdirect subscribers can watch it on Ch. 22 HD. HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming on HBO GO. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

CNCO’s “Honey Boo” is summer’s latest hit

Award-winning and best-selling Latin American group, CNCO has officially dropped their highly anticipated new single called “Honey Boo,” featuring Natti Natasha.

The reggaeton-infused banger is the first song off the teen group’s upcoming third album, and was written by all members, alongside Patrick Ingunza and co-producers Daniel Rondon and Rafael Rodru. “We originally recorded it that long ago too,” CNCO’s Joel Pimentel shares in a statement. “However, the time was never right to release it. Then this January we had the idea to re-record the song and put it out as our next official single. The idea to add Natti Natasha came from a Q&A she did on Twitter where fans asked if she would like to collaborate with us, and she said yes!”

As huge fans of the Dominican pop superstar, the chart-topping group didn’t hesitate to invite Natasha to be part of the track. “She happened to be in the studio when we sent over the material,” CNCO Richard Camacho reveals. “In just 24 hours, she finished her lines. 4 days later, we were in Puerto Rico shooting the video. It was that fast.”

On its first week of release, the music video for “Honey Boo” peaked at No.1 on YouTube Trending Videos chart worldwide, surpassing 2 million views in less than 24 hours. The Joaquin Cambre-helmed visual follows the multi-platinum Latin boyband as they play billiards, dance in basketball courts, and tour the scorching streets of Puerto Rico.

“It’s a fun and light song,” Camacho describes the global hit turned TikTok viral smash. “We just want to bring joy to the world and make people want to get up and dance.”

About the group

In just four years, CNCO has become one of Latin pop’s most influential and prolific hitmakers. With two No.1 albums under their belt, the group has garnered numerous awards including: Latin American Music Awards, Premios Juventud (Youth Awards), Billboard Latin Music Awards, Premio Lo Nuestro, Premios Tu Mundo (Your World Awards), iHeartRadio Music Awards, Kids Choice Award and a Teen Choice Award.
With over 3 billion cumulative streams, 6.5 billion total music video views, 12 GOLD and PLATINUM certifications in the U.S. alone and countless sold out shows, their influence can be felt in nearly every corner of the globe.

“Honey Boo” is now out on various streaming and digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

Image and details provided by Sony Music in a recent press release.

Ben&Ben to launch international single “Doors” via YouTube Live event

Award-winning, nine-piece collective Ben&Ben is set to release their stunning new single “Doors” on Thursday, April 16 through Sony Music.

To celebrate the release, the dynamic young act will host a special YouTube Live event on Saturday, April 18 on the band’s YouTube channel to raise funds for the COVID-19 response in the Philippines.

Fans across the world can tune in from 7:00pm GMT + 8 (9:00pm AEST/7:00am EST/12:00pm BST) to see the acclaimed nine-piece perform “Doors” alongside other tracks from their certified Platinum and best-selling 2019 debut album, LIMASAWA STREET, including recently released “Fall”.

Each member of the band will connect from their respective homes to stream the performance in their unique signature 3 x 3 format. After the event, the live stream will continue to be available on YouTube as a video on demand.

Ben&Ben explains:

“Doors” is one of the most personal songs that we’ve written. It’s about passive-aggressiveness, how it can ruin relationships, and how anyone can be on either the sending or receiving end of it. So much of the hurt in the world now, much of which we all experience daily as well, is caused by people not speaking what is really on their minds… We drew on our emotions on these topics to craft the melodies, riffs, beats, and textures of the song. It was done so quickly; one day we were jamming the song, and a few days after we already had the track on record. Everyone just performed their most raw and pure feelings to make the arrangement.”

“YouTube is proud to collaborate with Sony to enable Ben&Ben’s live streaming event which aims to create a donation drive for COVID-19 response efforts. It is uplifting to see the power of music and Filipinos’ spirit of bayanihan coming together to lend a helping hand during this increasingly challenging time. We hope that Ben&Ben’s event does not just help raise funds but inspire Filipinos to get through difficult moments through music,” said Bernadette Nacario, Country Director, Google Philippines.

“Doors” is mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Miles Walker (Beyonce, Usher, Coldplay, Rihanna) and mastered by Leon Zervos (P!nk, Maroon 5, Beastie Boys, Willy Nelson).

About the band

Ben&Ben is currently one of the most-streamed Filipino artists with dedicated fan bases across the world. To date, the fast-rising act has amassed more than 500 million streams on Spotify, over 3 million monthly listeners, and charted on the platform’s Top 50 with 9 songs simultaneously. They entered the Billboard Social 50 Chart, a popularity chart ranking the most active musical artists on the world’s leading social networking services, just two weeks ago and have already climbed to #29, ahead of Cardi B (#31) and Doja Cat (#32).

Ben&Ben consists of brothers Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin on acoustic guitars and vocals, Poch Barretto on electric guitar, Jam Villanueva on drums, Agnes Reoma on bass, Patricia Lasaten on keyboards, Toni Munoz and Andrew de Pano on percussions, and Keifer Cabugao on violin. Combining folk and indie music with pop sensibilities, they have redefined the mainstream music lane with a sound that bridges the musical traditions of the past with a contemporary touch. And this is what sets them apart from their peers: Ben&Ben creates a blueprint that makes intimacy feel big and expansive.

Last month, Ben&Ben joined 14 artists across Asia in the remake of Taiwanese superstar Eric Chou’s original track “Forever Beautiful,” as part of their efforts to express solidarity and support for those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 27, they held a Facebook Live event for their COVID-19 donation site (www.puhon.ph), which garnered 2.2M views in the first 24 hours, surpassing the Facebook Live statistics of Latin Superstars Alejandro Sanz and Juanes. The donation site was created by Ben&Ben, Sony Music Philippines and other partners, with inspiring stories and messages of encouragement to frontliners. Puhon is a beautiful Visayan (Philippine dialect) word that means “hopefully” and is a famous lyric of Ben&Ben.

Ben&Ben was invited to perform at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival 2019 and Austin’s South by Southwest Music Festival 2020, and has graced Singapore’s Music Matters and Manila’s Wanderland Music & Arts Festival 2018 – where they co-headlined with international acts such as Lauv, Jhené Aiko, Kodaline and Daniel Caesar. In previous years, the prolific ensemble has performed in arenas and large-scale venues, most notably the Philippine Arena with a maximum capacity of 55,000, and other prominent events held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the MOA arena – both with more than 15,000 attendees.

With diverse musical influences that include The Carpenters, Fleetwood Mac, Simon and Garfunkel, Elton John, Bee Gees, Radwimps, Laura Marling, Bon Iver, Tom Misch, and Dave Matthews Band, to name a few, their songs paint an indelible portrait of a generation that knows their worth despite the brokenness inside, creating a connection between the personal and the universal.

Ben&Ben will continue to release music throughout 2020 and plan to tour their incredible live set again when possible.

Image and details provided by Sony Music Philippines in a recent press release.

Gloc-9 tops YouTube trending chart with “Halik” and 24 bars rap challenge

After deciding to go the independent route with Asintada, a management and production team headed by his wife Thea Gomez Pollisco, Gloc-9 sets the table for music projects that strike a balance between uncompromised vision and crossover appeal.

The acclaimed hip-hop figure has released new singles that create uplifting artistic statements through socially relevant songs. “Sampaguita,” his latest collaboration with accomplished young singer-songwriter Juan Karlos Labajo, proved to be as successful as his previous classic hits, smashing out of the gate with more than a million views in less than a month.

“When Gloc-9 decided to become independent, he made it clear to work on projects that matter to him on a personal level, and at the same time, promote awareness on the plight of the underprivileged Filipinos through his musical platform,” Thea reveals in a statement.

To their advantage, the recent releases garnered positive reception from music fans. The music icon’s recent performance with fellow rapper and songwriter Flow G on Wish 107.5 bus debuted at No. 1 on YouTube’s trending videos chart, reaping more than 6 million views as of today’s update. His captivating performance of “Halik” currently sits inside the video streaming chart’s Top 20 for a third week in a row—a blockbuster feat that adds value to his growing legacy as a successful hip-hop artist approaching his third decade in the game.

Another video of Gloc-9 is also making rounds on YouTube’s trending videos chart. His 24 bars rap challenge peaked at No. 4 with more than a million views in less than a week of its release. Taking dexterity to the next level, the award-winning rapper impressed listeners with a soul-baring wordplay over a Flip D beat.

“Gloc-9 proves that even with challenges that stem from his newfound DIY leanings, there are solutions to impart your passion, and by using the online platform, the local rap and hip-hop music industry is still reaching out to the fans and followers, providing entertainment and positivity in a time of uncertainty,” Asintada’s Thea Gomez Pollisco shares. “This goes to prove what Gloc-9 has always been saying: inspiration and learning can come from all directions.”

At present, the prolific artist is actively involved in raising funds for both the frontliners and the urban poor communities through various charitable institutions and artist initiatives. He is also set to release a bunch of new singles and collaborations soon under his own management and production outfit, Asintada—which is home to several music acts such as Shanti Dope, JKris, Lirah, and Sandiwa.

Details and image provided in a recent press release.

Can’t go to the cinema? HBO has you covered

While movie theatres and entertainment venues have been shut until end-April, do not despair. Who says that the movie experience is limited to only cinemas? Bring it back to the comfort of your own home. With brand new blockbusters premiering every Saturday at 9pm on HBO and HBO GO, HBO has got you covered.

Stream or download your favourite shows and movies on HBO GO on your computer and mobile devices or straight from your TV through the Airplay and Chromecast functionalities. Don’t have HBO GO? Subscribe here.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu
Premiered 4 April, Saturday at 9pm on HBO GO and HBO

HBO Premieres April to May 2020

When ace detective Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, his son Tim embarks on a journey to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry’s former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu, a hilariously wise-cracking, adorable super-sleuth who can only communicate with Tim. They join forces on a thrilling adventure to unravel the tangled mystery. Stars Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton.

Escape Plan: The Extractors
Premieres 11 April, Saturday at 9pm on HBO GO and HBO

HBO Premieres April to May 2020

Kicking this explosive action tale into high gear, security expert Ray Breslin is hired to rescue the kidnapped daughter of a Hong Kong tech mogul from a formidable Latvian prison. In the process, Breslin’s girlfriend is also captured. With his team, they must pull off a deadly rescue mission to confront their sadistic foe and save the hostages before time runs out. Stars Sylvester Stallone, Jaime King, Dave Bautista, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson” and Zhang Jin.

Bad Education (HBO Original Film)
Premieres 26 April, Sunday same time as the U.S. at 8am on HBO GO and HBO

HBO Premieres April to May 2020

On the verge of the nation’s top spot and experiencing spurring record college admissions and soaring property values, a popular Long Island school district is rocked by an embezzlement scandal. American school administrator Frank Tassone and his partner Pam Gluckin are forced to maintain order and secrecy – by whatever means necessary. Stars Golden Globe and Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman (“The Greatest Showman,” “Les Misérables”), Emmy®, Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Allison Janney (“I, Tonya,” “Mom”), and Emmy® winner Ray Romano (“The Irish Man,” “The Big Sick”).

The Secret Life of Pets 2
Premieres 2 May, Saturday at 9pm on HBO GO and HBO

HBO Premieres April to May 2020

The highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster animated comedy “The Secret Life of Pets”. It tells the story about the lives pets lead behind closed doors after their human counterparts leave their homes each day. Directed by Chris Renaud, featuring voices by Patton Oswalt, Kevin Hart, Harrison Ford, Eric Stonestreet, Jenny Hale, Tiffany Haddish, Lake Bell.

Crawl
Premieres 16 May, Saturday at 9pm on HBO GO and HBO

HBO Premieres April to May 2020

As a category 5 hurricane tears through Florida, a young woman rushes to find her father who is injured and trapped in the crawl space of their home. With the storm intensifying and water levels rising, the pair face an even more terrifying threat lurking below the surface. Stars Kaya Scodelario, Barry Pepper. Produced by Sam Raimi (“Evil Dead”) and directed by Alexandre Aja (“The Hills Have Eyes”).

Dora and The Lost City of Gold
Premieres 30 May, Saturday at 9pm on HBO GO and HBO

HBO Premieres April to May 2020

Having spent most of her life exploring the jungle with her parents, nothing could prepare Dora for her biggest challenge yet – High School. When her parents mysteriously disappear while searching for the Lost City of Gold, Dora must swing into action and lead a group of ill-equipped high schoolers on a wild quest to save them. Stars Isabela Moner.

HBO is available on SKYcable Ch. 54 SD/Ch. 168 HD (for Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Lipa-Batangas) or on Ch. 402 SD/710 HD (for Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo). SKYdirect subscribers can watch it on Ch. 22 HD. HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming on HBO GO. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

Check out my posts on HBO shows:

Barbie Almalbis drops inspirational single “Iyong-iyo”

Following the dreamy single “Comment,” which debuted early this January 2020, Barbie Almalbis continues to perfect her signature, swoony alt-pop sound with incisive introspection on her second single.

“Iyong-iyo,” the latest track off her upcoming fourth studio album, tackles a story of strength, perseverance, and faith amidst insurmountable odds. The melodic pop tune is inspired by how the Tabing Ilog hitmaker’s cook found peace from surrendering everything to God during a very difficult time to bouncing back with another chance at life.

Almalbis recounts:

“This song is about Esperanza ‘Bing-Bing’ Maaño, our cook, who’s been in our family for a long time and even married our driver, Dandy. She suddenly fell very ill last year due to a diabetes complication and her medicines were not working. Needless to say, it was such a troubling time for her and everyone who loved her as her future seemed uncertain. She was brought to the hospital and had to undergo amputation surgery, and she shared that it was during this time that her faith in God became more real. While being wheeled into the operating room, she had many fears but suddenly felt peace as she surrendered everything to God. Thankfully, she had a successful surgery and recovered well, and after months of rehabilitation, she learned to walk again with a prosthetic leg.”

Barbie Almalbis co-wrote “Iyong-iyo” with her partner Martin Honasan, who also shares songwriting credits on previous singles “Comment” and “Tigre.” Bing-Bing’s determination and humility inspired the husband-and-wife tandem to write and produce the song.

Recording of the track was done by sound engineer Magic Montano at Yellow Room Studios, formerly known as Tracks Studios in San Antonio Village, where most of the Barbie’s Cradle albums are made. “We had Nikko Rivera on keyboard, Jonard Bolor on drums, and Rommel dela Cruz on bass,” shares Almalbis about the musicians who contributed significantly in the recording process. “The main rhythm section was recorded live, and we did overdubs for vocals and guitars. I also recorded backing vocals at my home studio.”

Barbie Almalbis’s “Iyong-iyo” is now out on various streaming and digital platforms worldwide via 12 Stone Records. It’s the second single off her as-yet-untitled album to be released this year.

Details and image provided in a recent press release.

Israeli singer-songwriter Vanna releases debut single High Hopes via Umami Records

Israeli singer-songwriter VANNA has released her debut single High Hopes via Singapore based indie label Umami Records on Friday, 6 March 2020.

Produced by Roy Avital of Tel Aviv based indie-electronic trio Garden City Movement and mastered by Matt Colton (James Blake, Muse, Coldplay), High Hopes is a song about not giving up, even in the darkest, loneliest moments of one’s life. “In the end we must ‘run slow, with high hopes’, be patient, and face the future with optimism.” shares VANNA, “I wanted to let people know that they are not alone and there is always hope.” A gently fingerpicked acoustic guitar sits at the centre of Roy’s production which he combines with VANNA’s unique voice, wafting a piano, strings and other instruments in and out, immersing the listener into the raw emotions of this song.

A music video produced by award-winning independent filmmaker Matan Balalty, set in the beautiful forests of Mount Eitan in Jerusalem, accompanies the release of this single.

High Hopes is the title track of VANNA’s debut EP which will be released throughout 2020. Over the last 3 years, VANNA has been working closely with producer Roy Avital on this EP, delivering a delicate fusion of indie electronic, pop, and folk influenced by artists like RY X, Oscar and the Wolf, SYML and Sóley.

Born and raised in Tel Aviv, of Indian and Iranian parents, VANNA grew up immersed in music, culture and diversity. Creating music is her way of confronting and understanding the turmoil she feels within herself, and she hopes her songs will touch others going through the same struggle. She is also a graduate of the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music.

VANNA’s next show will be at the Hateiva, Tel Aviv on 23 April 2020, and she is planning a tour to Singapore, India and Nepal in the fall of 2020.

High Hopes by VANNA is available everywhere at this link.

Details and image provided in a recent press release.

Ben&Ben joins Eric Chou and other Sony Music Asia artists on “Forever Beautiful”

Ben&Ben takes part in a regional collaboration expressing solidarity and support for those affected by the outbreak of iCOVID-19 Coronavirus.

The folk-pop collective joins Sony Music artists across Asia in delivering a spectacular take on Taiwanese superstar Eric Chou’s original track “Forever Beautiful.”

Featuring 15 artists from nine countries across Asia singing in both Chinese and English, including Chou himself, the collaborative remake titled “Forever Beautiful: All for One Version” conveys an important message through these touching lyrics: we may speak and sing in different languages and represent the many ethnicities and cultures of Asia, but we are all united with solidarity and support. In these challenging times, music can bring hope and peace along with the message of love and compassion.

“In this time of fear and uncertainty, it is important to remind people that they are not alone and that even the most dreadful things give way to new beginnings,” shares Ben&Ben vocalist and guitarist Paolo Benjamin. “It was cool to do this project with some of the most talented and generous artists across Asia.”

Set to make their US debut at the annual South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, Ben&Ben is one of the most successful Asian acts in the region— breaking records in the country with 9 songs simultaneously on the Spotify Philippines’ Top 50 chart. Their current single “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay” recently shot straight to number one with a million streams on the aforementioned platform, within 2 days of release.

The nine-piece act represents the Philippines as part of the vibrant and diverse roster of Sony Music Asia featured in “Forever Beautiful: All for One Version,” including Eric Chou (the original singer/songwriter) and singer Kelly Cheng from Taiwan; Wafa, a member from Bahiyya Haneesa (an acapella group), and R&B-pop singer NYK from Malaysia; music acts Benjamin Kheng, Narelle, and Sezairi from Singapore; HÀ LÊ, a vocalist from Vietnam; singer-songwriter and producer E.viewz from South Korea; singer Fatin from Indonesia; singer-songwriter Jocelyn C from Beijing; and artists Phil Lam, Jason Chan, and Cath Wong from Hong Kong.

Forever Beautiful: All for One Version” is now available globally on all streaming and digital platforms through Sony Music Taiwan. Proceeds from this song will be donated to relief efforts by 韓紅愛心慈善基金會 (Han Hong Love Charity Foundation) for those affected by the outbreak of iCOVID-19 Coronavirus. 

Details and image provided in a recent press release.