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Songs are tracks, as in footprints, of artists’ musical careers and paths. However, these tunes also signal a turning point or milestone in their creative journey.
In the case of YARA, composed of Kim, Gelou, Christa and Rocher, its latest single Sabi Ko Na marks the group’s entry into the R&B and hip-hop genre. A piece of information given to this paper describes it as a way to reintroduce the girls, and with the new sound to explore from here on.
“(It’s a) reintroduction in a sense (when it comes to the) music path that we will take,” said Gelou in a virtual chat with The STAR. “It seems like we’ve been exploring music ever since we first released a single in 2023.”
“I think, all through our journey, we found (the genre) that we would be more comfortable with,” added she, who was also joined by fellow singer-performers Kim, Christa and Rocher in the interview. “I think it’s best that you also do something you enjoy. From now on, this is gonna be our music, our sound.”
The Sony Music group was referring to the debut tune, ADDA, “Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat,” again released in 2023, and the R&B-hip-hop genre.
The latter is in stark contrast to the music genres YARA’s previous songs — such as ADDA, written by Kim; Bakit Papa, the group’s rendition of the signature ditty of the SexBomb Girls; Eksena; and Katawan Flow — were set against.
Gleaning from their answers, one could gather that their sounds were labeled as contemporary pop, hip-hop, rap-heavy and dance-R&B.
At this point in their career, the YARA girls are determined to focus on hip-hop and R&B as they further re-establish themselves.
Kim shared that they’re at ease with the genre, and it suits their vocal ranges.
What they like about the genre, particularly R&B, is it captures “kung sino ka (who you are as an artist),” said Gelou. “(With) rhythm and blues, mas raw yung emotions din (the emotions are also raw) and mas free, mas accepting (you’re freer and the genre is more accepting).”
For her part, Christa shared, “I think looking into our personalities, mas na-vi-vibe namin yung R&B and hip-hop (we can connect more with the genres).”
The single Sabi Ko Na allowed YARA to collaborate with prominent and big names in the local hip-hop scene. They are known producer, recording artist and songwriter JRoa and artist Yung Bawal.
According to Rocher, they were surprised upon learning that JRoa wrote the song and came up with a demo for their appreciation.
“Lumaki kaming pinapakinggan yung songs niya (we all grew up listening to his tunes),” said she. So, we couldn’t (believe and) imagine that we would be working with him… So, at first, it was exciting, but when we were in the process of (studying and recording the song), we felt a bit pressured.”
That feeling emanated from the challenge and expectation of doing justice to the song.
“Nung narinig pa lang namin yung demo, parang pwede na siyang i-release agad (when we heard the demo version, we felt that it was actually ready for release),” said she.
Since the demo version appeared complete to them, the YARA girls had to be faithful to it, interpretation-wise, and deliver the composition the best way they could.
With all that, singing Sabi Ko Na is a dream project to them, and an item on their wish list has been ticked off.
Aside from being thankful for their recording label, YARA also acknowledged the contribution of Nick Hernandez, A&R for Urban of Sony Music Philippines, for making such a musical project possible. They considered him “the brains behind it.” Nick is very familiar with the Philippine hip-hop landscape and knows the creatives or “who’s who,” in this field to tap.
Rocher recalled that the label executive initially asked them about topics that they wanted to explore in the group’s next song. Then, one day, a demo of a song was given to them to consider. JRoa is the tunesmith, while Yung Bawal is the producer.
As for the song theme, YARA’s publicity team shared that it’s “about love, deception and the unnecessary baggage that comes with it.”
“Iniiwasan namin talaga yung love topic dati kasi wala kaming experience talaga (we tried to avoid any topic on love early in our recording career because we had no experience to bank on),” said Gelou.
Themes of hopes, empowerment and pursuing dreams were what occupied their minds back then, said Gelou and Christa.
And the time has come for them to “(come) out of our shell and try to discuss other things with other people,” added Gelou.
After the release of Sabi Ko Na, now available on digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment, what can fans and music enthusiasts can look forward to from YARA?
The latter’s generous reply was a remix version of the song, featuring a rapper.
(Aside from giving the song a listen, also watch Sabi Ko Na’s lyric and music videos on the group’s official YouTube channel.)
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