LONDON, United Kingdom – A “last” Beatles song, featuring the voice of late member John Lennon, will be released this year thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, Paul McCartney has said.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4 that aired on Tuesday, June 13, McCartney did not name the track but said the technology was used on “a demo that John had, that we worked on”.

“So when we came to make what will be the last Beatles record… we were able to take John’s voice and get it pure through this AI (artificial intelligence), so that then we could mix the record as you would normally do,” the singer-songwriter, 80, said.

“We just finished it up, it will be released this year.”

The BBC said in an online article that the song was likely to be “Now and Then”, which Lennon recorded as a demo in 1978, two years before his death in 1980.

McCartney said director Peter Jackson had used the technology for the 2021 documentary series The Beatles: Get Back, which looks at the Fab Four making their 1970 album Let It Be.

“He was able to extricate John’s voice from a ropey little bit of cassette,” McCartney said.

“We had John’s voice and a piano, he could separate them with AI.”

The use of AI in music has sparked both excitement and fear of what the technology could bring.

Asked about it, McCartney said: “It’s a very interesting thing… it’s something we’re all sort of tackling at the moment and trying to deal with.” “…There’s a good side to it and then a scary side, and we’ll just have to see where that leads.” – Rappler.com

The one-night show is set for October 8 at the Araneta Coliseum. 

Ticket prices range from P3,180 for Lower Box to P4,770 for the VIP Standing and Seated sections. 

Tickets will be available starting June 16 via the Insignia Presents website or any TicketNet outlets nationwide. 

Aside from Manila, Rex Orange County will also have concert stops in Taipei, Jakarta, Singapore, and Bangkok. 

The singer was supposed to hold a concert in the Philippines in May 2020, but the show got canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Rex Orange County, whose real name is Alexander James O’Connor, is a pop, hip-hop, and jazz musician known for hits “Pluto Projector,” “Sunflower,” and “Corduroy Dreams.” 

In October 2022, he was charged with six counts of sexual assault, but the case was dropped in December after reviewing the evidence. “I have never assaulted anyone and I do not condone violence or abusive behavior of any kind,” he said in a statement. – Rappler.com

“People might see na parang we’re always successful. ‘Yun ang akala ng tao (That’s what people have assumed), but we have a lot of trials and errors,” Josh said during the media launch of their new EP PAGTATAG! on Friday, June 9.

“We have a lot of frustrations, internally. At saka, ‘yung mga pinagdaanan namin before ang naging pinaka-motivation namin (And everything that we went through before has become our motivation,)” he continued.

It was from these shortcomings and failures that SB19 drew inspiration for their latest EP.

Described as their boldest release yet, PAGTATAG! sees the group venturing into other genres but still maintaining their signature candor and vulnerability.

PAGTATAG!, considered the second release in the group’s album trilogy, serves as a follow-up to the group’s July 2021 EP PAGSIBOL. If PAGSIBOL talks about the group’s growth from virtual unknowns to P-pop pioneers, PAGTATAG! reflects on how such a journey has hardened them into the artists that they are today. 

“Kung sa ‘PAGSIBOL,’ nag-eexperiment pa kami, sa ‘PAGTATAG,’ alam na po namin kung sino ang SB19,” Pablo said.

(In PAGSIBOL, we were still experimenting with who we were. But in PAGTATAG!, we already know who we are.)

Justin explained that while PAGSIBOL talks about them finding their footing in the industry, the newest EP shows them in a more confident position as artists: “This time sa ‘PAGTATAG,’ ito kami, ito si SB19 (This time, with PAGTATAG, you’ll see us, you’ll see SB19).” 

“Makikita niyo po sa mga kwento ng songs na parang, ‘Ah, ito ‘yung nangyari sa SB19. Ito sila ngayon,’” he continued. “Sa ‘PAGSIBOL,’ may icon po ‘yung album na question mark. Tinanatanong natin kung sino at ano ang SB19. Dito po sa ‘PAGTATAG!,’ sinasagot na naman ‘yung tanong. Ito si SB19 at ito ang kwento ng SB19.”

(In the stories in PAGTATAG!’s songs, you’ll see what SB19 has gone through. You’ll realize who we’ve become. PAGSIBOL’s album cover had a question mark – it was asking who and what SB19 was. Here in PAGTATAG!, we are answering that question. This is SB19, and this is our story.)

Of PAGTATAG!’s six tracks, “GENTO” was released first, prior to the EP launch. As to why they chose it as the album’s lead track, Ken shared that it was because the song “summarizes the whole journey of SB19.” 

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“GENTO,” an EDM pop track that features a play on the Filipino words ganito (like this) and ginto (gold), carries the message of growth and resilience, with the boys likening their journey of refinement to that of gold.

“Yung gold, matinding proseso ang dinadaanan. Gaya sa amin, matinding proseso po ‘yung pinagdaanan namin. ‘Yung hard work namin, blood, sweat, and tears ang binuhos namin para makarating kami sa ganitong lugar,” Ken said. 

(Gold goes through a tough process to become what it is. Just like us, we also went through a lot. We worked hard and poured our blood, sweat, and tears into where we are now.) 

The EP’s second track, “I WANT YOU,” sees the group’s foray into slow R&B territory. “CRIMZONE,” a pop track that reflects on the group’s struggles and triumphs, uses hard-hitting beats to symbolize SB19’s breaking of boundaries.

Ballads “Ilaw” and “Liham” not only captivate listeners with the group’s vocal prowess, but the songs also feature the members being vulnerable about love, devotion, and authenticity. 

The EP then ends with “FREEDOM” – an upbeat track that celebrates the group’s autonomy and the milestones they’ve reached. 

“Pagdating sa music, ‘yung pag-evolve (When it comes to music, the way we evolve), we’re trying to experiment or figure out who we are,” Pablo reflected. “Palagi namin tinatanong (We always used to ask), will people like this? Will people enjoy this song? Tama ba itong instrument ang nilagay ko (Did I use the right instrument here)?” 

 “But this time, sa PAGTATAG!, ito ‘yung gusto namin ilabas eh. Pakinggan niyo. Ganun ‘yung thinking namin. Ito ‘yung nararamdaman namin, ito ‘yung story ng SB19. Bakit namin kailangan ibahin or parang i-mold para mas magustuhan ng mga tao?” Pablo went on.

“Musically and sonically for this EP, parang ang masasabi ko lang, bukod sa may freedom kami, talagang sigurado kami sa nilabas namin,” he concluded.

(But this time, in PAGTATAG!, this is what we wanted to put out. Listen to it. That’s our way of thinking – here’s what we feel, here’s our story. Why would we change it or mold it in a different way just so other people would like it? Musically and sonically for this EP, what I can say is that aside from having more freedom, we’re more certain of what we’re releasing.) 

It’s an assertion not all artists would be confident making, but SB19 has already proven to be of a different caliber. Almost five years into their career, the boys are now self-managed artists, having established their own label: 1Z Entertainment. 

“This is not an easy path. It’s a big risk that we’re taking right now,” Josh said. “But I hope that magkaroon siya ng magandang output (we provide good output) and of course, inspiration to a lot of people.”

Like their track “FREEDOM,” Josh shared that it was liberating to finally have a say in their artistic direction: “It’s actually refreshing to explore, and exciting, of course, to explore this kind of field.”

Detailing how they “value [their] craft so much,” Josh shared that they’re “super sensitive” even with the minute details of their releases. “Ganon namin talaga tinitingnan ‘yung craft namin, kasi sacred ito para samin (That’s how we really see our craft, it’s something sacred for us). And now that we have the full control, the full capacity…we can freely express and maximize kung ano ‘yung ginagawa namin before (what we’ve been doing before).” 

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In an industry where artists are expected to constantly innovate themselves, SB19 has no qualms.

“Maybe this would really help to push boundaries and achieve greater heights for us. Not just for us, but for the whole OPM industry,” Josh said. 

“Gusto namin mag-improve lahat. Gusto namin i-level up to the maximum. Same as Hollywood, same as J-pop, K-pop, or whatever pop, sa lahat ng entertainment industry. Ang gusto lang namin ay syempre, for the greater good of everyone. Ito ‘yung siguro pinag-take namin as one of the flag-bearers of the Philippines. Gusto namin i-step up ‘yung game ng buong industriya,” he added. 

(We want to improve a lot of things. We want to level it up – the same as in Hollywood, J-pop, K-pop, whatever-pop or entertainment industry. What we want is, of course, for the greater good of everyone. This is what being one of the flag-bearers of the Philippines means to us. We want to step up the game for the whole industry.) 

The five-piece act is aware of the influence that they have on the industry, and has acknowledged that they’re trying to make the best out of it. “Ang goal din and dream namin is to create an ecosystem na talagang artists like us, parang different field din, talagang mag-bebenefit or talagang mag-eexcel,” Pablo said. 

(Our goal and dream is really to create an ecosystem where artists like us, even from different fields, would benefit and excel.) 

Stell echoed the sentiment, saying that they’re even thinking of honing future talents under 1Z Entertainment. 

“Kapag nagkataon, ‘yung mga natutunan namin sa career namin, ‘yung mga nalalaman namin, pwede naming i-impart sa kanila. Kung paano maging performer, or maging confident sa sarili nila,” Stell said. 

“Sana dumating rin po kami sa punto na kaya na namin i-challenge ‘yung market dito sa Philippines and other places. Kasi parang ang tagline ni 1Z ay: ‘To get you in the zone and break the norm.’ So parang in the future, we are planning a lot of things not only with SB19 but with other possible talents dito sa Pilipinas.” 

(If given the chance, we could impart what we’ve learned from our careers – like how to be a performer and how to be confident in yourself. We also want to reach the point where we could challenge the market here in the Philippines and other areas. Because the [1Z Entertainment] tagline is: ‘To get you in the zone and break the norm.’ So in the future, we are planning a lot of things not only for SB19, but also for other possible talents here in the Philippines.)

But Stell stressed that managing other talents is still in the pipeline, as the group is focusing first on building their momentum as self-managed artists. 

“Now that we have full control and we have the people that we trust, the quality will only get better and better,” Pablo promised. “And with the power of the people who believe in us, talagang di malayo na makilala ‘yung music ng Filipino (it will be quite possible for Filipino music to gain recognition.)”

The group is set to embark on their PAGTATAG! world tour in July, with Pablo even hinting that they’re already working on Simula at Wakas, the third installment of their album trilogy. Nonetheless, Justin said that they are also interested in venturing into other fields. 

“Lagi naming napag-uusapan ‘yun (We always talk about this). We want to experience acting, even theater, kahit ‘yung hosting. Parang gusto din naming may experience so that we can learn more din and mas ma-apply namin ‘yung mga experience na ‘yun to improve our company. (We want to have experiences that we can learn from, so we can apply these lessons to improving our company.)”

A’TIN, then, still have much to look forward to, because despite how much SB19 has grown, they still have more to offer. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Mark your calendars because British rock brand Coldplay is coming back to the Philippines. 

Concert promoter Live Nation Philippines announced on Monday, June 12 that the band will be bringing their Music of the Spheres concert tour to the Philippine Arena on January 19, 2024. 

Ticket prices and seat plan have yet to be announced, but the artist and Live Nation Philippine pre-sale is set for June 19, 10 am.

Meanwhile, tickets will go on sale for the public on June 20, 12 pm. 

The upcoming January 2024 show would serve as the band’s first visit to the Philippines in almost seven years. They last performed in the country in April 2017 for their A Head Full of Dreams tour. 

Aside from the Philippines, the band will also have stops in Singapore and Bangkok. 

Coldplay is composed of lead vocalist and pianist Chris Martin; lead guitarist Jonny Buckland; drummer Will Champion; and bassist Guy Berryman. 

The Grammy-winning alternative pop-rock band is known for their songs “Yellow,” “A Sky Full of Stars,” “Fix You,” “The Scientist,” “My Universe,” and “Everglow.” – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – SB19 released the music video of their song “I Want You” on Friday, June 9, heralding the start of a new era for the P-pop pioneers.

The music video came after the release of their highly anticipated new EP Pagtatag!, which dropped early Friday morning.

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The EP includes six tracks, with “I Want You” being the second in the EP. The song, a soulful R&B number, was written by SB19’s leader Pablo along with August Rigo, who has also written for K-pop superstars BTS.

Pagtatag! comes as the group is about to kick off their second world tour at the Araneta Coliseum on June 24 and 25. The tour will take them across multiple cities in the Philippines, United States, and Canada, with tickets available via TicketNet.

SB19 is made up of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin. They debuted in October 2018 and have since taken the world by storm. 

In 2021, they became the first Southeast Asian and Filipino act to be nominated in the Billboard Music Awards as Top Social Artist. They also became the first Filipino act to land on the international Billboard Social 50 and Next Big Sound Charts.

They released their debut album Get In The Zone in 2020, followed by their EP Pagsibol in 2021. – Rappler.com

British pop star Dua Lipa and music label Warner Records convinced a Los Angeles federal court on Monday, June 5, to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Florida reggae group that accused Lipa’s hit “Levitating” of copying one of its songs.

US District Judge Sunshine Sykes said Artikal Sound System failed to argue that the writers of “Levitating” ever had access to the group’s 2017 song “Live Your Life.”

Sykes gave the group an opportunity to file a new complaint. She also rejected the band’s request to move its case to New York to be heard with another infringement lawsuit by songwriters Sandy Linzer and L. Russell Brown over alleged similarities between “Levitating” and their disco songs “Wiggle and Giggle All Night” and “Don Diablo.”

Artikal Sound System attorney Stewart Levy said on Tuesday, June 6 that the decision was disappointing and the band is considering its next steps. Representatives for Lipa did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Levitating” spent 77 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 US singles chart, peaking at No. 2 in 2021.

The complaint, filed in 2022, said it was “highly unlikely” that “Levitating” was made independently “given the degree of similarity” between the two songs’ melodies, harmonies and other elements.

Sykes on Monday agreed with Lipa that Artikal Sound System’s complaint failed to show that the defendants could have encountered its song before writing “Levitating.”

The group said it played “Live Your Life” at concerts, distributed it through streaming services and sold several hundred copies of a CD with the song on it. Sykes said this was not enough to demonstrate the song was widely disseminated enough that the “Levitating” songwriters could have heard and copied it. – Rappler.com

Gilberto died on Monday, June 5, at her home in Philadelphia, her granddaughter Sofia Gilberto said on social media.

“Life is beautiful, as the song says, but I bring the sad news that my grandmother became a star today and is next to my grandfather Joao Gilberto,” the granddaughter wrote.

Astrud was married to Brazilian musician Joao Gilberto, the pioneer composer and songwriter of Bossa Nova from the late 1950s, who died in 2019.

He collaborated with US jazz musician Stan Getz in 1963 on the album Getz/Gilberto that popularized the new Brazilian sound worldwide.

Joao Gilberto’s then-wife Astrud performed the vocals in English, including the duet “The Girl from Ipanema” which became the album’s major hit. Getz/Gilberto won three Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, the first time a jazz album received the accolade.

Her first solo album was The Astrud Gilberto Album, released in 1965 and featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim. – Rappler.com

Guinness World Records (GWR) reported on Thursday, June 1, that the “Anti-Hero” singer is the only living artist to have 10 albums charting simultaneously on the US Billboard 200, citing the chart for May 6, 2023. These albums are:

• folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions (No. 3)
• Midnights (No. 4)
• Lover (No.10)
• folklore (No.12)
• 1989 (No.21)
• reputation (No.22)
• Red (Taylor’s Version) (No.27)
• evermore (No.29)
• Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (No.41)
• Speak Now (No.66)

Swift had also broken the same record after the same albums appeared on the US Billboard 200 on March 4, 2023, with the exclusion of folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions. Instead, Lover: Live from Paris completed the list in the 58th spot.

According to GWR, the only other artists to have had 10 albums simultaneously on the US Billboard 200 are Whitney Houston in 2012 and Prince and David Bowie in 2016, but these all happened after their deaths.

Swift’s Midnights is the most streamed album on Amazon Music for 24 hours, having been streamed 7.97 million times in October 2022. She is also the female artist with the most Top 10 hits on the US Hot 100. 

Swift is set to release Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) on July 7. – with additional reports from Pie Gonzaga/Rappler.com

Pie Gonzaga is a Rappler intern. 

BGYO, which stands for “Becoming The Change, Going Further, You and I, Originally Filipino” is a Filipino boy group formed under ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy, and is composed of members Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate. 

Their debut single, “The Light,” achieved recognition by charting on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart. Also in their debut year, BGYO amassed over 10 million Spotify streams and garnered 12 million YouTube views.

The group has caught the attention of the prestigious US-based Recording Academy, home to the GRAMMY Awards. In a recent feature titled “The Many Sounds of Asian Pop,” the Recording Academy recognized BGYO as one of 10 Asian acts to watch out for.

According to the feature, BGYO is redefining what it means to be a boy band in the Philippines. Their music seamlessly fuses pop and R&B elements while staying true to their Filipino roots. 

In addition to the GRAMMY feature, BGYO’s growing prominence has been acknowledged by other platforms. They were listed in MsMojo’s “Top 10 International Bands You Should Know About,” sharing the spotlight with fellow P-Pop groups SB19 and ALAMAT.

To celebrate the growing legacy of the Aces of P-pop, get to know six of their music videos:

‘The Light’

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Debuting during the pandemic, it comes as no surprise that “The Light” carries a hopeful theme. The song’s lyrics emphasize the group’s desire to inspire those who may be going through difficult times. 

The song quickly launches into high gear, treating listeners to a fusion of pop, EDM, and house elements.

“The Light” serves as a powerful introduction to BGYO. Definitely the song to start with if you want to know more about the Aces of P-pop!

‘Tumitigil Ang Mundo’

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BGYO definitely made the world stop with their dancefloor hit “Tumitigil Ang Mundo.” 

 Fusing disco and pop vibes, it’s hard to resist dancing to this certified P-pop hit.

What sets “Tumitigil Ang Mundo” apart from their previous releases is its upbeat energy. The music video, in turn, takes viewers on a delightful journey through both real and fantasy worlds.

The video’s vibrant visuals not only capture attention, but also complement the central anthem of the song – and also includes eye-popping solo moments from JL, Nate, Gelo, Mikki, and Akira.

‘PNGNP’

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BGYO continued to raise the bar with their latest music video release, “PNGNP,” a captivating anthem that highlights their vocal prowess.

Departing from their usual dance and hip-hop-infused hits, this track exudes sensuality, adding a new layer of maturity to their discography.

Each members’ charisma also shines brightly in the music video. 

‘The Baddest’

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This sci-fi music video takes viewers on a thrilling journey, as Gelo, Akira, JL, Nate, and Mikki transform into their super-spy alter-egos, ready to confront an otherworldly villain wreaking havoc on the city.

The music video showcases the group’s fierce performance skills, and paired with its captivating narrative is an absolute must-watch. 

It’s a music video that definitely shows they’re the baddest of them all! Plus, you simply can’t miss Liza Soberano guest starring as Binibining Haliya!

‘He’s Into Her’

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BGYO definitely brought out the “kilig” in this tune, which is part of the soundtrack to the highly-popular series of the same name. 

With its breezy atmosphere, “He’s Into Her” presents a refreshing side to BGYO. The lyrics delve into the excitement and frustrations of falling for someone who seems out of reach. In turn, the video’s choreography perfectly complements the song’s catchy hook.

‘Magnet’

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BGYO sheds their boy-next-door image with their electrifying comeback single, “Magnet,” the key track on their latest album Be:Us. 

The track immediately grabs your attention. The members of BGYO effortlessly navigate the song, displaying newfound confidence, sexiness, and swagger in their vocals. In turn, the music video for it presents a darker and edgier aesthetic. 

With “Magnet,” BGYO showcases their artistic growth, proving that they are not afraid to take risks and explore different musical territories. 

– Rappler.com

Jacob Maquling is a Rappler intern.

Ken, Stell, Josh, Pablo, and Justin sit down with Rappler’s Jaira Roxas and share insights on this new era in their careers – from putting up their own company and being self-managed, to producing their new EP.

The boys also talk about how they explored new things in their music, and how grateful they are for the support of the P-pop community for their comeback. 

Watch the full interview here. – Rappler.com