Apl.de.ap backs Asian talents

MANILA, Philippines - Apl.de.ap, the Filipino member of the six-time Grammy-winning group Black Eyed Peas, truly knows that there’s a goldmine of musical talents in Southeast Asia. After all, he comes from the Philippines where there is an abundance of artists who sing like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Think Charice, Arnel Pineda or Zendee Rose Tenerife, among a few, who’ve all made it to the world stage. K-pop acts and Japanese bands are making waves, too, in the American music industry.

This goes to prove that there is no dearth of talented musicians in Asia.

Apl said all they ever need is an opportunity to break out in the international arena.

“I feel that I’m at the stage of my life where I could help my fellow Asian artists. I could share my resources and my contacts so I can help my fellow artists here have that big break,” Apl told entertainment journalists during a recent interview.

It’s the reason why Apl formed his own label BMBX (Boombox) as a venue where he can showcase the best of the best in Southeast Asia.

After taking in rap-metal band Slapshock as BMBX’s first artist, Apl signed three more talents to his label namely, Filipino Jessica Reynoso, Singaporean Kevin Lester known as The Lion City boy and 13-year-old Filipino-Singaporean teenager Miguel Antonio. All three have the talent and the potential to shine in the Asian and American music industries.

“We want to show people in the US and Europe that hey, here in Southeast Asia, we have so much artists brimming with talent and so deserving. We needed to tap into that so that the West can take notice and sign them up, too. But we start the movement here first. We want to grow the talents and make it big here because there’s enough of a market and people that we can distribute to. And then we bring them to the US and other regions,” Apl said.

Homegrown talent 17-year-old Jessica was a finalist on ABS-CBN’s The Voice of the Philippines and was mentored by Apl.de.ap. Blessed with a soulful voice and a pretty face, Jessica has a strong presence onstage and also writes her own songs.

Jessica, for her part, said she had to pinch herself to believe that she’s now a part of Apl’s BMBX and will soon release her international album.

“I’m both nervous and excited to be a part of BMBX and I couldn’t be grateful to Sir Apl. I never thought I’ve be given this opportunity since I’m not the big winner in The Voice. All I can promise is that I will do my best for the big break,” Jessica said in the interview. Jessica is currently busy on ABS-CBN’s The Singing Bee show.

Miguel, on the other hand, is the youngest talent under BMBX. At 13, Miguel already writes his own songs and can play a slew of musical instruments plus he’s blessed with a melodic voice.

“I met Apl when I sang during a charity concert for typhoon victims in the States. Apl asked me to be a part of the team and I said yes, yes, yes. I’m so excited for my future projects with BMBX. I hope to include a few compositions,” Miguel enthused.

Kevin, on the other hand, was discovered by Apl’s manager through YouTube. Kevin is a popular rapper in Singapore and had released three EPs and six singles, including the EPs Let’s Talk About Kevin Lester (2010) and Everything You Love You Hate (2013). Lester and Apl finally  met during a music event in Singapore.

Apl said he feels an affinity with Kevin musically and is impressed that the rapper has his own style in rapping.

“Kevin is just like a Black Eyed Peas member, his rapping flows and he keeps everything genuine. He’s never trying to measure up or be like anyone else,” Apl said.

Kevin, for his part, appreciates Apl’s efforts to help aspiring artists in Asia.

“Being a part of BMBX is a big break for me and I’d love to be with the team. Apl is such a humble person. I’m excited to share my music to the world and I’d also love to write songs for Filipino artists because I’m a music producer, too. I wrote for Taiwanese artists before so it would be great to write for Filipino artists and collaborate with them,” Kevin said.

Apl also has under his pool singer-songwriters Vietnamese Thanh Bui and Indonesian Sheryl “Shae” Gething.

Thanh is a former contestant of Australian Idol and one of the four judges in the Voice of Vietnam. He met Apl in Singapore.

Thanh wrote some songs for Jessica’s upcoming international album.

“Apl is just an amazing artist, so humble despite his stature and when he invited me to come on board BMBX, I didn’t have second thoughts. As an Asian artist, I think all we want is for Asian artists to have a voice in the international scene. I’m one with Apl with his vision because whether you’re from Vietnam or the Philippines, the West views us all as Asians, so it is important that we are united on this goal,” he said.

Likewise, Shae is a strong supporter of BMBX and wrote a song for Jessica titled Dreamer.

“I’ve released the song Siam two years ago in Indonesia and I’ve made an English version titled Dreamer for Jessica. Her interpretation is simply amazing. I really like the quality of voices here in the Philippines,” she said.

Apl is happy that he will be able to spend a lot of time in Manila as he is part of The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 with Bamboo, Sarah Geronimo and Lea Salonga.

“That will give me more time to oversee operations at BMBX. I’d like to be very hands-on. My artists’ songs will be released soon, and then I’m planning to hold a concert for all the artists before we conquer the US and Europe,” said Apl, beaming with pride.