MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Pop rock royalty Yeng Constantino is back with a fresh sound through “Babala“, out now on all music streaming platforms. A music video co-starring content creator Macoy Dubs is also available on video streaming platforms.
“Babala” is the latest offering in Yeng’s new chapter, which captures her desire to play around and experiment with fresh sounds and other genres. The upbeat and funky vibe livens up the listener, communicating the empowering feeling of standing up for one’s self.
“In terms of sound and style, humiwalay muna ako sa typical pop alternative and ballad na kinasanayan na ng mga tao sakin,” Yeng explained about the distinctly different sound of the song.
“With this track, mas funky and dance-y ‘yung hinihingi ng kanta, so to make that happen, ginawa naming mas driven siya ng beat, bass, and brass.” The change in sound is evident in the track, especially for an OPM artist like Yeng, who has established herself with pop anthems that Filipinos have memorized by heart.
Yeng got candid that her growth as a person was the fuel for this new music direction: “Alam ko na mas sanay marinig ng mga tao yung mga sulat kong inspirational, positive, and uplifting like ‘Hawak Kamay,’ Lapit, at Ikaw. But like any human being, nakakaramdam din ako ng negative na emotions from time to time. Sa totoo lang, ‘di ako nagsusulat ng kanta ‘pag bad trip ako. For some reason, nag-bubble up ‘tong kantang ‘to in the middle of a negative emotion I was having. Di ko ‘to pinilit isulat. It just came out, siguro part na rin ng growth ko as a person to express, process, and to face uncomfortable emotions. I hope na pag narinig ng mga tao ‘to, it will also help them release ‘yung negative na nararamdaman nila, the same way nung nasulat ko ‘tong kantang ‘to.”
To support her in this new direction, Yeng enlisted the help of other OPM rock legends, Eraserheads members Raymund Marasigan and Buddy Zabala, to produce “Babala.”
“Gumawa lang ako ng super rough na demo, and sinend ko sa paborito kong producer na si Kuya Raymund Marasigan. Alam ko na agad na magaling talaga yan pagdating sa pag-produce, kaya alam ko may gagawin nanaman yan na masu-surprise ako. Basta request ko lang gusto ko talaga may horn section,” Yeng shared.
“True enough, nung tinatrabaho na namin sa studio, sobrang ganda nung energy talaga kasi lahat ng musicians like Kuya Buddy, Badjao, and Joe, ang gaganda ng ideas and yung direction na dinadala ni Kuya Rayms yung kanta. Napapa-sayaw na lang kami talaga. May idea ako that it would be different, pero nagulat pa rin ako sa kinalabasan nung sound. Sobrang dami kong ‘woah’ moments nung recording session namin.”
The result of the said fun recording session is a funky song that’s filled with prominent bass lines and a brass section. While “Babala” is a definite departure from Yeng’s usual sound, it also showcases her range as a musician.
Fans will also be glad that the relatable quality they’ve come to expect from her lyrics is still very much present. It’s just that for this track, Yeng shows her evolution as an artist by taking on a different perspective in her lyrics. While her other songs were empathetic and motivational, “Babala” and its vulnerability stems from frustration.
The song has a catchy chorus that encapsulates Yeng’s babala (warning) that’s interspersed throughout the song. To accompany the release of “Babala“, Yeng has also dropped the song’s music video, which also features social media personality Macoy Dubs and is directed by Peewee Gonzales and Jonathan Tal Placido of Toothless Studios.
“Ang bait ni Macoy Dubs. Actually, pareho kami ng handler and lagi ko talaga pinapanood mga content nya sa Instagram, tawang-tawa kase ako sa kanya,” Yeng gushed about her co-star. “Napaka-professional ni Macoy, naturally funny, at napakadali niya i-direct. Sana ‘di ito ang huling time na magka-work kami. Love na love ko siya!”
As a mainstay of the OPM industry, Yeng has become comfortable reinventing herself to push her music forward, boosted by her fans at her side. She said, “Sandamukal na pasasalamat. Grabe yung color na binigay nyo sa life ko, and yung inspiration na nilalagay nyo sa music ko. Salamat di parin kayo nagsasawa. Mahal ko kayo!”
While she’s grateful for the support she’s received, Yeng is choosing not to be pressured to leave a legacy; in fact, she’s just happy to create and share more of her music.
“When I was younger, iniisip ko yan eh. Pero habang tumatagal hindi na, sobrang grateful lang ako to be in this industry and to be able to do yung pinaka-gusto kong ginagawa. I know one day, pwedeng makalimutan ako ng mga tao and some people may still hold my songs dear to their hearts. Basta buhay ako, I will always cherish na binigyan ako ng chance to live my dream, to jam with people, and to sing my heart out to my fans. Wala na akong mahihiling pa.”
Listen to “Babala,” out now on all music streaming platforms.
