In an exclusive interview with MEGA Entertainment, VXON, AJ Yape of G22, MC Einstein, and Zephanie share why working together gives Filipino music the edge from the rest
Bayanihan has manifested in more modern ways than one today. In the world of music, the spirit of meeting together to further forward Filipino talent here in the country and in the world comes in the form of collaborations. With two or more talents coming together to serve their own flavors in music, it is definitely a feast that fans and their listeners devour. Case in point? VXON’s tracks with their featured artists in the album—AJ Yape of G22, MC Einstein, and Zephanie.
In an exclusive interview with MEGA Entertainment, the boy group, along with their collaborators, shared their thoughts on fusing sounds, skills, and stories for VXON’s 20:20.
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O Kay Sarap
From one P-Pop group member to another, “O Kay Sarap” features G22’s AJ whose vocals complemented C13’s. True to the track’s title, the song is indeed a sweet nod to the beauty of sharing a journey with someone else. Arranged as a marriage of singing and rapping vocals through the voices of the two artists, it was a track that had the balance of playful flow and calming lines. “We worked together on the distribution, and how we want our voices to blend which added depth and color to the song,” AJ shared.
The blend of their voices was actually an echo of their mutual admiration for each other’s approach to their craft. As C13 described his collaborator, “I admire her passion when it comes to music, and her craft as the leader of the group. She is really hands on with everything, easy to work with, so those are things that I admire about her.”
For the artists, they mutually agreed on the importance of collaboration for growth and learning. “Combining experiences and culture with collaboration helps us learn and grow from each other. It also creates a wider audience to share one’s music,” AJ pointed out.
“Despite differences, I think we can learn from each other when we collaborate. Personally, I’m not really into singing,” C13 opened up. “Personally, I am not really into singing. But if I collaborate with an artist who really loves to sing, I can learn something new from that collaboration.”
Miss Na Kita
From a cool and catchy rap track, the next song is another duet—but this time, a ballad of regret and yearning. According to VXON member Franz, working on a track with soloist Zephanie for “Miss Na Kita” had always been a running joke till it actually happened. “Nakacollab na namin siya before for ‘LUV IS.’ Then for fun lang, nagcocontent kami ng covers. Napag-uusapan na namin na what if gumawa kami ng sarili naming song,” the main vocalist shared.
“Wala ng mahabang proseso pa. It was like, ‘Gusto mo bang sumama sa song ko?’ ‘Okay, go!’ Basically, both of us worked on the music, the melody, and lyrics,” Zephanie added.
While agreeing on the collaboration was definitely a breeze for the two vocalists, they didn’t let their individual skills get the best of them. Franz and Zephanie were very particular with the song, staying up until 3 AM for the final mixing. “Hindi lang one day ‘yung recording to achieve the quality that we want,” Franz revealed.
“Miss Na Kita” is not the first, and definitely not the last time that they will be working together. When asked about how their next collab should be, the duo already had definite answers. “R&B-ish and pop,” Zephanie suggested, while Franz hoped it would be a dance pop track. “Gusto ko something new. May specific sound and identity ‘yung OPM. When we collab with Filipino artists, mas nasosolidify ‘yung OPM industry.”
Gamu-Gamo
A true collaboration is anchored on mutual respect and admiration for each other’s craft, and that’s what Sam and MC Einstein proved as they worked on their track, “Gamu-Gamo.” Apart from the thought that went into the production of instrumentals, it was the flow of the two collaborators that added more character to the song. “Nu’ng namix na with reverbs and trills, iba na siya. Grabe,” commented the VXON member.
For the rapper, Sam’s willingness to learn more about singing, songwriting, and music production made him say yes to the collaboration. “Willing siya gumawa at mapagod para sa gagawin niya.”
“Collaboration is important for growth, learning, and experience,” Sam stressed, acknowledging one of the best parts of working with other artists. “You never know—what if ‘tong collaboration na ‘to ‘yung gusto ng puso mo, or mag-resonate talaga siya sa’yo?”
For MC, a joint effort to make music isn’t just for artists—fans and listeners alike benefit from the experience as well. “Importante siya kasi hindi lang naman iisa ang gusto ng audience. May sariling fanbase, may audience ‘yung genre. Kapag naghalu-halo ‘yung mga ‘yun, ‘di lang kami ma-oopen sa isa’t-isa, pati ‘yung audience, matututo sila na makinig pa ng iba.”
Coco
For a quintet like VXON, collaboration has already been part of their vocabulary since their training days. Working with one another entails cooperation and joint effort to not only shine as individual artists but also collectively as a group—a quality that the boys display. For 20:20, a new sub-unit was born within them—Vince and Patrick for the track “Coco.”
Vince revealed that during their preparation for their respective solo tracks, he didn’t want to do it alone. So, he didn’t. “It’s collaborative when it comes to the songwriting. Halos lahat kami, nagtulungan dun sa rap part ng song.”
Patrick seconded his co-member. “Nandun pa rin ‘yung hirap, kasi medyo kinakabahan kami. Sanay kami as a group. But hindi naman kami iniwan ng members. Kung paano kantahin nang maayos, thankful kami kasi kahit dalawa lang kami, kumpleto kami as a group.”
He was also all praises to his fellow VXON member who had the most hand in the production of the soothing, sultry track. “Nakakaproud kasi syempre, as a member, una, hindi niya pa nalalaman sa sarili niya na nakakapagsulat siya ng kanta. Sobrang happy ako na unti-unti na siyang nakakagawa ng kanta. Sobrang swak rin sa boses.”
As he ventures into songwriting and music production, Vince expressed his interest in exploring more while enjoying their current genre. “‘Di ko pa siya namamaster, kaya gusto ko ito muna.”
With the rise of P-Pop in the country and all over the world, VXON’s collaborations only affirm that Filipino talent has always been meant to be shared. As culture and tradition continue to evolve, we turn to music to keep the values of pakikisama and pagtutulungan alive for listeners, especially for young Filipinos.
Photos: VXON
Special thanks to Caress Caballero
