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While Ed Sheeran has been in the public eye for more than a decade, his personal life has remained relatively private. For the first time ever, the 32-year-old superstar has opened the doors to his world and his mind in his new Disney+ docuseries, Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All.
The four-part series delves into topics of love, loss, focus and balance as viewers enjoy the highs and lows that have defined his global success, including his childhood, his unwavering work ethic, his marriage to Cherry Seaborn and her devastating cancer diagnosis, plus his friendship with the late music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards.
The Sum of It All arrives on Disney+ on May 3, just two days before Sheeran is set to reveal his highly anticipated new album, – (pronounced Subtract), on May 5 via Atlantic Records.
To celebrate the docuseries’ release, see below for its most captivating moments. Sign up for Disney+ here.
Every Aspect of His Career Was Planned
Quickly in the documentary, fans can see just how meticulous Sheeran is about his career. “I always knew that you just have to work harder than everyone else because there’s always going to be someone that wants it more than you,” he tells the camera, as flashback footage of a young Sheeran performing at small venues plays on the screen. “I looked at all my peers, and was like, ‘Well, you’re playing one show a week. I’m gonna do three shows a night.”
He even planned out his mathematical-themed albums. “When I first started out, I really wanted to make five albums,” he explains. “Plus (+) would be the addition onto all the EPs I had done up until that point. Multiply (x) would make it bigger. Divide (÷) would be a double album of acoustic and R&B and then equals would be the sum of all the parts. And then the fifth record is [Subtract].”
Jamal Edwards Is Honored Throughout the Series
Sheeran struggles with the loss of his best friend, Jamal Edwards, throughout The Sum of It All. The beloved entrepreneur died in February 2022 of cardiac arrest at age 31, and one of the most vulnerable parts of the documentary is when Sheeran attends his six-month memorial.
After feeling overwhelmed, the star takes a moment to breathe in the car, and breaks down in tears. “I know everyone should be having fun. That’s the whole point. I just feel so lost in there,” he says between sobs. “It’s still like very, very raw. I’ve never been to a burial […] Suddenly you’re putting dirt on your mate’s grave and it’s very, very real.”
Throughout the series, Sheeran honors his “best mate” through videos of the duo laughing together, and various tributes to Edwards, including the writing process of his recent single “Eyes Closed” and a performance of “Take Me Back to London” with Stormzy at London’s Wembley Stadium dedicated to his late friend.
Ed & Cherry’s First Date
One of the more lighthearted moment in The Sum of It All, was seeing how much Sheeran loves his wife. At one point in the series, the duo are seen in a Tuk Tuk vehicle, enjoying a beer and reminiscing on their chaotic first date boating in NYC’s Central Park.
““It was the busiest, busiest, hottest day of the year in New York,” Cherry recalls, before Ed takes over. “I was rowing and we got out to the middle of the lake and this boats just started surrounding us. All of these tourists, filming and taking pictures,” the singer says as the duo burst into laughter. “Chez goes, ‘Do you want me to row?’ And I was like, ‘Cherry, the last thing I need is a picture of you rowing me!’”
Cherry’s Cancer Diagnosis
Just before Edwards passed away, Sheeran was dealing with another tragic event. Six-month pregnant Cherry found a tumor in her arm, which turned out to be cancer. “The doctor was basically like, ‘This is really bad.’ And we were like, ‘Oh, OK,’” Sheeran recalled. “He was like, ‘But we’re not going to have results back for a month.’ So we just sort of wandered around London for the day.”
Cherry added that, thankfully, the “tumor came back a lot less severe than they originally thought,” and she was able to give birth to the couple’s daughter before receiving treatment.
Sheeran shared that after the cancer diagnosis, he wrote seven songs in four hours. He performed an acoustic version of one of the tracks, singing, “This week was heavy / I buckled under all the weight / What can you do but pray? / I count my blessings, it wasn’t any other way / Don’t leave it up to fate / Same problems, different options / Pain comes at a cost but we got this / Need respite, bleed time dry / She’ll be fine, she’ll be fine.”
Eminem Helped Sheeran’s Childhood Stutter
Before Sheeran took the stage with Eminem to perform “Stan” with him to celebrate the rapper’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the “Perfect” singer and his father reminisced on how being an Em fan helped Ed recover from his stutter as a child.
“Learning all the Eminem raps because they were all really fast, choppy. I’d learn the entire thing back to back and that pretty much sorted it,” Sheeran said of owning Em’s 1999 album, The Slim Shady LP.
He continued, “Being a pop star for a very long time, people will be like, ‘Oh, it’s normal for him to go up and sing with Eminem.’ But this is literally the dream of mine as a kid to do this, and it’s not normal.”
Rihanna is beating the pre-Met Gala Sunday Scaries with a little help from Chanel. The 35-year-old Fenty Beauty mogul showed off her third trimester baby bump in a glamorous, fuzzy dress, jacket and hat combo in the signature black-and-white colors of the iconic French fashion brand, one day before this year’s Karl Lagerfeld-themed gala kicks off.
Ri shared the dazzling outfit — which also featured white glasses shaped like the Chanel double “C” logo — in a Sunday (April 30) Instagram post. In a couple photos, the “Rude Boy” musician smolders while cradling her bump in her hands. In others, she steps outside of a restaurant in New York City, where she’s rumored to be attending the Met Ball Monday (May 1).
Though Rihanna’s schedule and the Met Gala guest list are typically top secret, her post has fans feeling confident the singer will be in attendance at the annual fashion event Monday night. Not only was she spotted wearing the Chanel look in NYC, where the gala takes place, but she also referenced the event’s date in her caption: “not even monday.” Plus, this year’s honoree, Lagerfeld, was the creative director of Chanel from 1983 up until his death in 2019.
“Please bless us with your Met Gala appearance,” wrote one fan in the comments.
“Queen of the MET. I can’t wait for tomorrow,” commented another.
The “Umbrella” singer, who’s currently expecting her second baby with partner A$AP Rocky, is certainly a bonafide Met Gala veteran. Through the years, she’s rocked some of the annual event’s most memorable looks, from her 2015 Guo Pei canary-yellow gown to her 2018 John Galliano custom bishop-inspired attire.
Taylor Swift put a bow on her stop in Atlanta on Monday (May 1) following three nights of The Eras Tour.
“WOW Atlanta just… wow,” the superstar wrote alongside an Instagram and Twitter slideshow of photos from the trio of concerts. “The band, dancers, and I can’t stop talking about how insanely magical it was playing for you guys the past 3 nights. You were always bouncing, dancing, screaming every lyric. And you created so many breathtaking moments for us, you know what I mean. Looove yooouuu. Hey Nashville you’re NEXT.”
During the Atlanta shows, Swift surprised the audiences at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with Fearless bonus track “The Other Side of the Door,” the live debut of Evermore deep cut “Coney Island” (sans collaborators The National), Midnights (3 am Edition) track “High Infidelity” (on April 29, no less!), “Gorgeous,” “I Bet You Think About Me” and “How You Get the Girl” as surprise songs in her sets.
Speaking of The National, Swift also made sure to plug her new ditty “The Alcott” with the Bryce Dessner-led band from the stage her first night in the ATL, telling the giddy crowd, “I was lucky enough to be able to write a song with them for their new album, which is called the First Two Pages of Frankenstein. Check it out, stream it, buy it on vinyl. I love them so much. They’ve been so kind to me. So, I’m not gonna sing the song that we have on this new album — it’s called ‘The Alcott’ — check that out, though.”
Earlier Monday, the Country Music Hall of Fame unveiled a new pop-up dedicated to the “Bejeweled” singers many eras, complete with 10 outfits representing each of the studio albums in her storied discography.
Adam Lambert made a name for himself back in 2009 when he battled into the runner-up sot on American Idol‘s eighth season with a repertoire that included soaring, powerful covers of songs by Johnny Cash and Smokey Robinson that displayed his flair for finding a unique lane on well-loved classics.
After years of solo hits and an ongoing stint fronting classic rock powerhouse Queen, Lambert was back on familiar ground on Sunday night (April 30) when he returned to the Idol stage for a rocking cover of the 1973 Anne Peebles hit “I Can’t Stand the Rain.” The slow-burn ballad — famously covered by Tina Turner in 1984 on her Private Dancer album — got a electric reboot in the singer’s hands thanks to a set that surrounded him with digital purple rain showers.
With blue makeup tears dripping from his eyes and a typically understated all-leather ensemble spiked with sparkle accents, fingerless gloves, black platform books and a mesh tank top, Lambert bumped and grinded his way through the song, hitting all the high notes you’d expect and adding his patented glam magic to the R&&B burner.
Lambert dropped by just in time to meet this year’s Idol top 10, which was revealed on Sunday night. The singes vying for this year’s title are: Wé Ani, Marybeth Byrd, Megan Danielle, Haven Madison, Warren Peay, Zachariah Smith, Oliver Steele, Colin Stough and Iam Tongi.
The latter has been on a serious roll this season, earning hugs and bringing tears to the judges’ eyes with his gritty story and soulful vocals, including on Sunday night when Tongi ditched his guitar for a moving cover of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home to Me.”
Check out Lambert’s cover of “I Can’t Sand the Rain” below.
For proof that Taylor Swift has been “bejeweled” since 2006, check out the new pop-up at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The museum unveiled Monday (May 1) its Through Taylor Swift’s Eras exhibit, which features a fashion tour of the country-turned-pop star’s musical journey over the past two decades.
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Open until May 31, the exhibit features 10 of Swift’s outfits, each representing one of her 10 studio albums. The oldest outfit on display is a peachy, floral dress and cowboy boots worn by the singer to the ACM Awards in 2006 — the same year she released her self-titled debut record — and the most recent of Swift’s featured looks is a knit vest and corduroy pant combo worn in the 2023 “Lavender Haze” music video.
“Taylor Swift has consistently reinvented herself,” reads a description of the exhibit on the Hall of Fame’s website. “Each new album, 10 since her 2006 debut, has brought changes in her stagewear, hairstyle, and often musical direction, defining that era of her career.”
Country Music Hall of Fame
Also on display are sparkly outfits from Swift’s Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010) and 1989 (2014) album tours, a red ringmaster-inspired getup from a 2012 performance of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and the furry black leotard worn by the 12-time Grammy winner in her 2017 “Look What You Made Me Do” music video. Fans can also get an up-close look at Swift’s pink bikini and jacket worn in her 2019 “You Need to Calm Down” video, as well as the cardigan and plaid coat looks sported by the singer on the Folklore (2020) and Evermore (2021) album covers.
Country Music Hall of Fame
Home to the Taylor Swift Education Center since 2013, the Country Music Hall of Fame has also recently added new Swift looks to the display in the $4 million classroom space donated by the “Anti-Hero” artist 10 years ago. Education Center attendees can now examine the purple cap and gown Swift wore last year while accepting an honorary doctorate from New York University, the sequin-covered cape and bustier featured in the 2022 music video for “Bejeweled” and more.
The Through Taylor Swift’s Eras exhibit is included in the museum’s general admission tickets, available here. See more of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s brand new Taylor Swift exhibit below:
All dogs go to heaven. JoJo Siwa suffered a tragic loss over the weekend as her puppy Tooie died following an undisclosed accident.
“2 months ago our puppy Tooie (O2) joined our family and he brought the MOST joy, laughter, and messes into our life,” the Dance Moms alum wrote on TikTok on Saturday (April 29) beneath a sweet video of herself dancing in happier times with the pup in her arms.
“My heart hurts so much to say that this morning he was involved in an accident and is now in puppy heaven,” Siwa continued. “I cant even explain how perfect of a dog O2 was. Going to miss him more than words can explain. Thank you for bringing light to my life when it was dark tooie boy. See you one day. rest in peace my lil sweet boy.”
Though Siwa didn’t explain what happened to little Tooie, her followers tried to comfort her in the comments section, with one fan writing, “It’s ok he’s watching over in doggy heaven he luvs u so much I’m really sorry abt what happened to him.” Another added, “I’m sorry Tooie, rest in peace sweet baby.” Others openly wondered about the whereabouts of the dancer’s teacup Yorkie BowBow.
Last month, the 19-year-old had even more drama to contend with after conservative lightning rod Candace Owens accused her of pretending to be gay because she’s “desperate for attention.” Siwa — who first came out two years ago — managed to fire back while also maintaining some boundaries. “I haven’t watched the video yet…. But if it has anything to do with your caption, respectfully back the f— off,” she tweeted directly in response to Owens’ comments.
Watch the video of Siwa with Tooie below.
@itsjojosiwa 2 months ago our puppy Tooie (O2) joined our family and he brought the MOST joy, laughter, and messes into our life. My heart hurts so much to say that this morning he was involved in an accident and is now in puppy heaven. I cant even explain how perfect of a dog O2 was. Going to miss him more than words can explain. Thank you for bringing light to my life when it was dark tooie boy. See you one day. rest in peace my lil sweet boy😭💔 ♬ original sound – Mia Mugavero
No need for fans to be spinning out waiting for Harry Styles‘ next single any longer. The pop star confirmed Sunday (April 30) that the next featured track from his 2022 record Harry’s House will be longtime fan-favorite “Satellite,” following Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “As It Was,” “Late Night Talking” and “Music for a Sushi Restaurant.”
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The single will be rolled out Wednesday (May 3), as announced by two of Styles’ affiliate social media accounts. His label, Columbia Records, posted on Instagram a wide-lens poster of a rover-like robot surveying rocky terrain, over which all-caps white text displays a lyric from the “Satellite” chorus: “SPINNING OUT WAITING FOR YA.”
“Satellite. May 3rd. 12pm ET,” the caption reads.
Styles’ official updates account, Harry Styles HQ, shared an alternate poster. This one features a close-up of the same robot, this time looking up at a starry night sky.
The posters seem to hint that a music video is on its way for “Satellite,” especially since all three of the Grammy winner’s previous Harry’s House singles were turned into music videos at different points throughout the year since the album dropped in May 2022. In the “As It Was” visual, Styles donned a sparkly jumpsuit and performed intricate choreography on a spinning platform, and in “Late Night Talking,” he partied with friends in comfy beds in various whimsical locations (on the public streets of London, for instance).
In the hilarious “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” video, Styles transformed into a merman who saves himself from being chopped up into dinner at a sushi restaurant by sharing his gift of song with the customers.
Fans couldn’t be happier with Styles’ next single choice. “satellite song of the summer 2023,” tweeted one person.
“SATELLITE [MUSIC VIDEO] IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE TURN IT UP,” wrote another.
Many fans also shared videos of Styles dancing along to “Satellite” while performing the fast-paced track during his ongoing Love on Tour shows. “Me for the next few months when satellite,” tweeted one admirer, sharing a compilation of the star stomping his feet and pumping his fists to the beat onstage.
See the announcements for Harry Styles’ next single, “Satellite,” below:
“Do you really wanna know where I was April 29th?” Taylor Swift asks in “High Infidelity,” a bonus track from her extended Midnights (3am Edition) album. “Do I really have to chart the constellations in his eyes?”
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It was Swift’s “High Infidelity” that trended on Twitter on its first April 29, after being released six months ago (and to the dismay of some REO Speedwagon fans who thought 1980’s Hi Infidelity was maybe getting rediscovered on April 29).
Swifties had clever quips and memes aplenty across social media on Saturday, as well as celebratory tweets marking a new “holiday” to observe in the fandom.
“i cant believe april 29 never existed until taylor swift invented it,” one fan commented in a tweet, while another honored the day along with the birth of her nephew: “My nephew being born on High Infedility Day,” they wrote with a shocked face emoji.
Most prevalent were tweets referencing a widespread guess that Swift might perform “High Infidelity” for the first time ever — during the part of her Eras Tour set featuring two surprise songs Saturday night in Atlanta, following the live debut of “Coney Island” solo at Friday’s show — to observe High Infidelity Day. Some went into a spiral of anxiety that they might be getting their hopes up too soon.
“When Taylor doesn’t perform High Infidelity on April 29th because everyone is assuming she’s going to and the whole point of a surprise song is that it’s a surprise,” one pointed out. “what do we do if taylor ends up not singing high infidelity today,” another asked.
See some of the best fan tweets on April 29 about “High Infidelity” below and look out for Billboard‘s review of Swift’s April 29 show on Sunday.
Happy high infedility day for those who celebrate— Faith in sof’s future | VI A LOUIS Y H | MIDNIGHTS (@adorethebravew) April 29, 2023
i cant believe april 29 never existed until taylor swift invented it— emma | speak now tv (@sprksflyswft) April 29, 2023
what do we do if taylor ends up not singing high infidelity today— jessi ⸆⸉ | #1 mikeynator (@3vermores) April 29, 2023
When Taylor doesn’t perform High Infidelity on April 29th because everyone is assuming she’s going to and the whole point of a surprise song is that it’s a surprise pic.twitter.com/8vicLSemXo— hailey // eras tour 4/14! (@saltairstyles) April 28, 2023
PLSSSS the girl in line with me said “what if we get high infidelity on April 30” because it’s “do you really want to know where I WAS on April 29” That would be so funny after the bloodbath lmaoooo— Allison | ATL 4/28 & 4/30 (@PopulationSwift) April 27, 2023
I saw that “High Infidelity” was trending and I was like “Oh man, one of my favorite REO Speedwagon albums! Glad it’s getting some love ^_^”…guys it’s Taylor Swift…Come on Taylor you can’t just steal that pun 😛 pic.twitter.com/4AWIk5TwLW— Nick (@nicksterwixter) April 29, 2023
Taylor Swift performed “Coney Island” live for the first time in Atlanta Friday night (April 28). But the Evermore highlight, a heart-wrenching track that features The National‘s Matt Berninger trading vocals with Swift, was a solo performance at the city’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Swift carefully chose her words in introducing “Coney Island” to the stadium bursting with zealous fans, clarifying that she had something special up her sleeve but the surprise would be delivered by her alone.
“Any time I’m gonna talk about or even reference another artist, I feel inclined to tell you that if they’re not here, they’re not here,” she told the crowd. “No one else is here. You are stuck with me. It’s only me.”
She continued, “But I am gonna talk about another artist. I just feel like, you know, stadiums are huge and it’s important to really communicate, so that’s what I’m doing. I’m gonna talk about another artist who has an album that just came out that is so incredible. The National just had an album come out. This band has influenced me beyond my ability to verbalize how much they’ve influenced me — just lyrically, their ability to set a scene, their ability to tell a story. And obviously, Aaron Dessner is in The National and he has completely changed my life.”
Swift took a moment to promote the band’s new album and her own contribution to it, her new National collab “The Alcott,” which was released the same day as her first of three Atlanta shows. Sitting at the piano, she then sang “Coney Island,” which Swifties have been eager to hear live during the surprise songs segment of her Eras Tour set.
“I was lucky enough to be able to write a song with them for their new album, which is called the First Two Pages of Frankenstein. Check it out, stream it, buy it on vinyl. I love them so much. They’ve been so kind to me. So, I’m not gonna sing the song that we have on this new album — it’s called ‘The Alcott’ — check that out, though. But I am gonna sing ‘Coney Island.’”
Watch a fan-captured video of Swift’s solo version of Evermore‘s “Coney Island” live from Atlanta below.
Last year was important for the expansion of SB19. Not only did the Philippines’ reigning pop kings expand their worldview with their first English single, “WYAT (Where You At),” and visited cities throughout North America, Asia and the Middle East on their Where You At world tour, but saw their rising impact on charts like Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart when they became just the second-ever act to top the real-time Twitter-powered tally. In 2023, the members have taken it upon themselves to expand their individual music careers, including the solo debut of eldest member Josh Cullen.
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The rapper-singer-dancer showcased his full range of talents on his first single “WILD TONIGHT” while embracing an image much darker than SB19’s beloved Pinoy-pop style. Adopting a vampire concept, the 29-year-old lets loose both visually in the music video and musically by changing his vocal styles and approaches throughout the track. “WILD TONIGHT” marks significant growth from the more restrained energy Josh previously showed when he hopped on the remix to “Sofa,” recorded with his cousin and fellow Filipino musician Ocho the Bullet. Cullen was clearly ready to unleash something much more powerful with the star saying that “WILD TONIGHT” is just the first stroke in his burgeoning solo career.
Just when SB19’s adoring fans—affectionately known as A’TIN—thought they could pin Josh down as P-pop’s dark and wild party boy, the star switched things up with his heavier second single, “Pakiusap Lang,” that embraced edgier hip-hop and R&B beats sound while sharing his acting skills in the accompanying music video that explores the twists and turns in a complicated relationship.
Before the release of “Pakiusap Lang,” and as rumors buzz that SB19 is gearing up to release new music ahead of their fifth anniversary in October, Josh found some time to sit down for Billboard to reflect on his solo career and what makes up his musical viewpoint in these 20 Questions.
“Honestly, if I could have a vacation right now, I totally would,” Cullen laughs when he thinks about how far he and his bandmates have come in these past years. “Still, I love what we’re doing and know I have to work hard to make it happen.”
Read on for more from Josh Cullen including new stories from his career, first musical memories, hints about future releases and more.
1. Where are you living and working from right now?
At the moment, I don’t have a fixed location as I’ve been prioritizing my passion for music and exploring new experiences. Though I’ve come a long way in my personal and professional life, I know that there is still much more to learn, discover, and achieve. I’m eager to see where this journey takes me and I’m committed to working tirelessly towards my aspirations.
2. You’ve made your solo debut with “WILD TONIGHT.” Can you explain the significance of this moment for you and the meaning of the title?
As an artist, I chose to title my solo debut “WILD TONIGHT” because I wanted to convey a sense of unleashing the beast or the fun inside oneself at night. It’s about how a vampire might seek revenge or how a normal person might embrace their wild side. I think the title is significant because it represents a sense of liberation and escape from the mundane aspects of daily life. It also encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and uniqueness. To me, “WILD TONIGHT” conveys a sense of excitement, energy, and a bit of danger. It invites people to join me on a journey of self-expression and exploration.
3. Your fans might be surprised to hear you both rapping and singing. Did you want to make sure of all sides of yourself with this first single?
I wanted to make sure that my fans get a glimpse of all sides of myself with this first single. I wanted to showcase everything—from my music to dance, rap to singing, creativity, choreography and every little detail to be at its fullest potential. I have been working hard, perfecting my craft and waiting for the perfect opportunity to come forward. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for to show the world what I’m truly capable of. I’m excited to share this new chapter of my journey with them and hope they enjoy the music as much as I did creating it.
4. Going off the song title, “WILD TONIGHT,” can you recall your craziest night out?
When it comes to the craziest night out I’ve ever had, one experience definitely comes to mind. It all started innocently enough with my friends inviting me out to chill and grab a bite to eat. However, things quickly escalated when everyone ended up getting super drunk, myself included, and by the end of the night, I found myself in a situation where I was two hours away from home and had no idea how to get back. In the end, I ended up hopping on a bus and riding home, having my autopilot body switch activated. Looking back, it was definitely a wild night and not exactly what I had planned when I first agreed to hang out with my friends. But it’s a story that I’ll always remember!
5. What’s the first album or piece of music you bought for yourself, and what was the medium?
I don’t quite remember the exact title, but I believe it was a Linkin Park album that I bought. I bought it on CD format because that was the most common way to buy music back then. I remember being so excited to have my own copy of the album and being able to listen to it whenever I wanted. It was a really important part of my younger years and I still have fond memories of listening to it on repeat.
6. You wrote and composed “WILD TONIGHT.” Tell us about how you worked on the lyrics.
Working on the lyrics was a bit of a struggle, to be honest. I wanted to make sure the vampire concept was in there, but also have it relate to real life. I was stuck on the first verse for days and couldn’t come up with anything that felt right. But then, one night at 3 a.m., I had this crazy dream with the perfect lyrics and melody for the first verse. I was like, “Oh, shit, I gotta record this now!” And it turned out to be exactly what I needed.
As for the pre-chorus, I also hit a roadblock and was struggling to come up with something catchy. I started brainstorming and thought to myself, “What’s something people will easily remember and sing?” I was running out of ideas and was like, “Fuck it, let’s try this even if it sounds stupid.” That’s when I decided to throw in the “La-la la la” part. It was a crazy idea, but it ended up being the most catchy and memorable part of the song.
All in all, I’m really proud of how it turned out and I hope the people can feel the passion and love that went into creating it.
7. You also co-produced the single. What’s your background with music production?
My background with music production is pretty limited. I don’t really know much about music theory or anything like that. But I’ve dabbled in it a little bit and have been able to pick up some things along the way. I wouldn’t say I’m a pro or anything, but I think what I’m good at is having a good ear and being able to make good judgments about the sounds and overall vibe of the music. And you know what, I’m glad that my cousin Ocho [the Bullet] who is just as crazy as me, has co-produced the single with me. It’s been a fun journey working together and bouncing ideas off each other. We’re not afraid to experiment and push boundaries, which has led to some really unique and exciting sounds in the final product. Plus, being a performer for a long time, I have a good sense of what makes a great song and I think my experience on stage has given me a unique perspective on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to producing music. So even though I don’t have a formal education in music production, I’m confident in my abilities and my passion for music always drives me to learn and improve.
8. There are a lot of interesting concept photography for “WILD TONIGHT.” Tell us about creating the visuals for the single.
For the visuals I really wanted to incorporate a lot of storytelling, representations, and metaphors. I didn’t want to just spoon feed people with the answers. I had a lot of ideas and wanted to make sure every detail had a purpose, even down to the easter eggs. With the help of my production team, we were able to execute everything we wanted to do, from the CGI to the vampire traits. I’m really proud of how everything came together and I think it really adds another layer to the song.
Shout out to my amazing production team, YouMeUs, for bringing my vision to life and giving me the quality that I’ve been longing for. They were able to understand my ideas and help me execute them in a way that exceeded my expectations. Without them, the visuals for “WILD TONIGHT” wouldn’t have been possible.
9. How did your hometown/city shape who you are?
Imus, Cavite is the place where I grew up and it definitely had a huge impact on shaping who I am today. The people, the culture, and the environment all played a role in my upbringing. It’s where I experienced my firsts, my successes, my failures, and my challenges. It’s where I developed my values, my principles, and my perspectives. Living in Cavite taught me to be resilient, resourceful, and determined. It also taught me to be compassionate, empathetic, and understanding. The experiences and memories that I have from my hometown are invaluable and have been instrumental in shaping who I am as a person and as an artist. It is where I began loving street food as well.
10. What was the first concert you saw?
The first concert I saw was the Dream K-Pop Fantasy Concert 2012 featuring Girls’ Generation. As a fan of SNSD, it was a dream come true to see them perform live. They were one of my inspirations as an artist, and seeing them perform gave me a better understanding of the music industry. The concert was a memorable experience, and I still remember the energy and excitement of the crowd. It was definitely a pivotal moment in my music journey.
11. What was the biggest lesson you learned from SB19’s first world tour?
The biggest lesson I learned from SB19’s first world tour was how powerful music can be in bringing people from different cultures and backgrounds together. It was incredible to see how fans from all over the world connected with our music and performance, despite language barriers. The tour opened my eyes to the diversity of music and how it can transcend boundaries.
12. Did SB19’s world tour influence how you approached your solo debut?
Although the tour didn’t directly inspire my current song “WILD TONIGHT” it gave me a lot of inspiration for my future music. Being able to experience the different locations and cultures we visited on tour was a valuable experience that I have already drawn from in my future songs. Overall, the tour was an unforgettable experience that helped shape my approach to music and creativity.
13 Did the other SB19 members share feedback or their feelings about you debuting solo with “WILD TONIGHT”?
To be honest, other members didn’t provide specific feedback or express their feelings about it. However, they were all very supportive and encouraging. They commented positively on the music video and were happy with my solo endeavors.
14. What’s your go-to karaoke song?
My go-to karaoke song is “Martyr Nyebera” by Kamikazee, a popular rock band from the Philippines. The intro of the song actually sounds like The Flintstones theme, which is pretty cool. Whenever I sing this song, I go all out and even do some head banging. It’s a really fun and energetic song to sing; it always gets the crowd going.
15. Are these new singles indicating more solo music is coming from you?
Yes, I’ve been working on a lot of songs. I was actually surprised that I’ve managed to compose a lot of songs in a short period of time. I will be releasing more songs that would allow people to get to know me better as an artist.
16. What’s at the top of your professional bucket list?
My ultimate professional goal is to make a meaningful impact on the Philippine music scene, particularly with OPM [Original Pinoy Music]. I’m passionate about contributing to the growth and recognition of our distinct musical heritage, and I’m determined to share it with a wider audience both locally and internationally. Additionally, I hope to inspire those who, like me, dream big and show them that with perseverance and hard work, anything is possible.
17. What’s one thing even your most devoted fans don’t know about you?
I didn’t make it to the hospital. I was born inside a car, ha!
18. What’s your message to fans who have been supporting SB19 and you?
I just want to say a huge thank you to all the A’TIN and BBQs out there who have been supporting us and me personally. It means the world to me to have such an incredible fanbase behind us, whether it’s for my solo projects or for SB19 as a group. The dedication and love that you have shown us are beyond words. Your unwavering support has helped us reach new heights, and we are forever grateful for your endless encouragement. You guys are the best, and we are honored to have you as part of our family.
19. Can you share anything about SB19’s plans for 2023?
While I can’t spill all the beans just yet, I can tell you that we’re cooking up something big for everyone. You can definitely expect a bigger comeback and possibly a bigger tour. We’re putting in a lot of effort and creativity to make sure it’s a great experience for everyone. We’re really excited about it and can’t wait to share more details soon. So, stay tuned and keep an eye out for more updates from SB19!
20. What else do you want to share with Billboard readers this time?
As a representative for OPM and Pinoy pop, I would like to extend an invitation to all the Billboard readers out there to watch out for more exciting music from us. We are thrilled to bring our unique sound and talent to the global scene, and we can’t wait to show the world what we’re capable of. So, please, lend us your support by checking out other amazing artists and groups from the Philippines as well. We have a lot of incredible talent here, and we’re confident that you’ll find something you’ll love. Thank you for your time and we hope to see you soon!
