ELIJAH CANLAS Outs "JosephK" Music Video

This evening was so much fun as we got to spend some time off our regular coverage and see what actor Elijah Canlas is up to. Apparently, the good looking man is wearing another hat as he is given the opportunity to pursue singing and songwriting. He began indulging himself with his type of hip-hop music, and after hearing some of it earlier, we loved every bit of it. The single is called "JosephK", and it's been in his coffers for a while now because of creative reasons. 

Elijah says "I love how they (recording corps) are giving value to the song, it's the least pop single with those that I have, but it is very personal. Thank you to Cornerstone, Project8, Island Records. This is black and white and it's cinematic, really cool."

He adds "JosephK is actually something I didn't want to explain, but for trivia, it's based on the novel called The Trial. It was when he was woken up on his birthday and sent to court, accused of something but never told what it is. Now it's a little grimey (the treatment for the video), I am JosephK. This is just a huge flex, I didn't expect this to happen but thanks to UMG and Island records for pursuing it. I hope it would be listened to by folks around the world and here in the PH. This is special because there's a lot of cameos with my friends. I feel how they love and support me. Direk Dan also conceptualized it, these are people I have worked before, and I am very grateful."

He also mentions "I wrote this in 2021, but it felt like a Christian song, I shelved it because I didn't like how it sounded. I told myself that maybe the right time will come, a better version. I asked other musicians and they said sometimes it takes years to finish a song. It took me 4 days to do this song. Sometimes you just have to listen to it again and change the melody. It's personal and based on the book I mentioned earlier. You can compare that with the lead, and I just changed it into Filipino. I want to have more gigs, to perform more of my songs, take out songs, wrote and make more of it to everyone. I hope to also join UP Fair."

To date, he's got 4 out of 10 tracks that he plans to release. He told us "I think I can do an album. It has a story, collaboration with other artists, then hopefully a concert in the near future. I don't put myself on a pedestal, if you want to know me, listen to my music because it's deeper."

Here's the event as he talks about his music:

The single "JOSEPHK" is now out on digital streaming platforms. If you loved his new songs, you'll love this even more. It also has similarities to Brandy's Full Moon which is a genre they called reverse RnB in the 2000s. I also loved how he kinda mixed Manila sound to his first few songs. I like what I see so far and from the looks of it, Elijah is not done. You're about to see him get even better. He's just starting.

Congratulations Elijah! Happy for you! 

ZELA Releases "LOCKHART" Album Under AQ Prime Music

The hunger for PPOP is certainly evident and with the Philippines answering with great artists, it's fun to know we've got a lot of them coming in the following months. Today is pretty special as we begin to get to know ZELA. She's a triple threat, one who can write songs, sing and dance. She is also based in the US but knows how this is an opportune time to do PPOP through her label AQ Prime Music. This was something she's been dreaming of since she was a kid, and now she has the chance to inspire more people through her genre of music!

Zela says "I want people to be empowered when they hear my music. I make them inspired with my experience, I'm a soloist and friends suggested I do it. Performing during the Waterbomb Festival last February was memorable because I met Jessie, a very popular artist in Korea. She told me I was very skinny, it was surreal because it was a chance to meet someone I idolized, and they asked who I wanted to meet, I always mention her name. The name Lockhart came from my last name, and it describes how I am with my goals (as I am locked in(, and women empowerment is very important for me. I want to use my platform to become the voice for those who don't have it. People mention how we kinda look like Sandara and I take it as a complement. I just think she's way prettier, and who wouldn't like that. My music video is also out on AQ Prime Music. The creatives also helped me make the concept a reality."

She adds "What sets me apart is the fact that I do everything on my own. I don't share my lines, I wrote most of the songs in the album. Specifically the 6 tracks, the other 4 I've worked with another composer too. I can do any genre, and don't have to consult. It gets super lonely sometimes but I just focus on goals so I don't have to think about it. We are here to lift each other, and there's always space on top."

She already debuted in 2023, and has been rewarded with a PPOP Top New Artist of the Year award. She's released her first single called "KARMA" during that time and has gotten really good traction with it. She also followed up with "POGI BOY" later in the year and gave her third one called "01/01" during her birthday. She deem this a great gift to her fans as she has wished for. 

She also had the opportunity to do the 1st Waterbomb Festival last February and was the only PPOP Soloist act during the event. She is also releasing her new album "LOCKHART" that's got 10 tracks which she also wrote. The songs include ACE, Arangkada, ZL, GOAT, Paraiso, Chaos, Bababa, Hanap Ka Na Lang Ng Iba, and Leave Me. 

She's raring to release these songs and make it known worldwide, she's absolutely ready to go! She sends her thanks to Atty. Aldwin Alegre and Atty. Honey Quiño for supporting her goals all these years. She credits them for the successes she's had and says she's excited for what plans they've got for her in the near future. Go stream it today on popular streaming platforms, I particularly like "Bababa" so make sure you listen to it!

MAKI Hints Full Album Release at BUGHAW Single and MV Launch

One of the nicest songs of this generation I heard was from this artist named Maki. He's gotten a huge following, not surprised because of the quality of the song, but it did have a notion of it being a one hit wonder, til I head the rest of the songs he came out with.

Speaking of which, he just recently released a song called BUGHAW. He also directed the music video, sort of his directorial debut too. This is under Tarsier Records which is under Star Music. They had a launch a few days ago at Matrix in Quezon City. It was quite intimate, with not just his fans in tow because his fellow artists and his whole family went there to support the very talented boy. Angela Ken, his brother Haro and ethereal sounding Dani Zam also performed before him, it was quite a revelation of songs that I haven't heard yet. I felt music in the Philippines had a very bright future after seeing that, no joke.

Here's the part where he got to talk to his fans that evening:

The Zushis, his fan group, all went in throngs to support him. All I heard from them and his family is how he remained humble, down to earth despite the remarkable success he's had for quite a while. He also hinted a full blown album which he plans to release soon, so stay tuned for that. He also wants to create his own short film, preferably Anime themed because he's quite fond of doing the art form. Here's why people adore him, check out the performances that evening on this video:

 

 

Make sure you stream his new single, and wait for the full album he plans to release this year.