Kyla & KZ join Cornerstone family

MANILA, Philippines - The entry of KZ Tandingan and Kyla into the Cornerstone Entertainment fold can be likened to an already talent-loaded basketball squad beefed up even more by the acquisition of two more high-caliber talents.

Both accomplished and popular in their own right, KZ and Kyla strengthened the standing of the talent management house in the entertainment business, especially in its label as the home to some of the country’s best performers.

Cornerstone, which already branched out to music production and publishing, as well as concert production, promotion and event staging, handles the careers of some of the brightest names in the entertainment scene — Richard Poon, Sam Milby, Yeng Constantino, Erik Santos, Angeline Quinto, Jericho Rosales and Rachelle Ann Go.

It is also behind the rising careers of Markki Stroem, Thor, Liezel Garcia, Moira, Young JV and Iñigo Pascual.

The addition of KZ, who burst into the music scene after winning the grand prize at the first season of The X Factor Philippines in 2012, and of Kyla, acknowledged as the country’s leading female R&B act, will give Cornerstone’s stable of singers the extra glitter as they bring with them their storied background. Their entry couldn’t have come at a better time. The company, founded by president and managing director Erickson Raymundo, is now celebrating its 10th year.

KZ easily moved out of the shadow of that breakout win she was blessed with three years back. She has evolved to be an artist who dares to be different and edgy both with her sound and look. She now has her own share of radio hits, highlighted by the Himig Handog 2013 finalist Scared To Death, her heartfelt version of Sugarfree’s Wag Ka Nang Umiyak and the Himig Handog 2014 top prize winner Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako.

In 2014, KZ also bagged the MYX Music Awards’ Best New Artist trophy. She was a big winner in the 26th Awit Awards, receiving three major awards — Best Ballad Recording, Best Jazz Recording and Best Vocal Arrangement.

“I’m very grateful to Star Music for constantly giving me great materials and award-winning songs,” KZ said.

KZ will hold her first major solo concert on April 17 at the Music Museum.

Kyla, on the other hand, celebrates her 15th anniversary in the industry this year. She has earned numerous achievements, including having a star on the country’s own version of Walk of Fame, holds the record for the most wins at the Awit Awards by a female act (11), is often recognized by both MYX and MTV (Southeast Asia Video Music Awards) and was even dubbed by a topnotch FM station as the “OPM Female Artist of the Decade” for the 2000s. Not to mention her collaborations with international artists like Ronan Keating, Fralippo Lippi, Blue, Keith Martin and Brian McKnight who wrote a song for her wedding titled My Heart and even performed with her in her 11th and latest album with Polyeast Records Journey.

Like KZ, Kyla scored a triumph when she interpreted Jungee Marcelo’s Salbabida, which won at last year’s Philpop Song Festival. She took a big leap this year by opening herself to work with the Kapamilya channel.

“It’s so refreshing. I’m so excited to work with new people and in a new environment,” Kyla said.

During the recent MYX Music Awards 2015 nomination night, Kyla got four nods — Favorite Song, Favorite Female Artist, Favorite Music Video and Favorite Mellow Video, all for her song Dito Na Lang. KZ also got a nomination for Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako as Favorite Song.