SB19’s Josh Cullen and breakthrough rapper Al James join forces in “Yoko Na”

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P-Pop star Josh Cullen and prolific rapper Al James come together in “Yoko Na,” their collaborative new single released under Sony Music Entertainment.

Lyrics-wise, “Yoko Na” expresses the words left unsaid in the middle of a relationship fallout. It acknowledges how a kind of love that was once full of life and promises could suddenly fall apart even after trying one’s best to stick it out until the very end.

The song bears the hallmarks of a summer anthem, thanks to its infectious rap verses from both artists, an inescapable chorus, and a vibrant arrangement that blends modern hip-hop and R&B sensibilities with emotional flair.

Brian Lotho, who co-produced the track with Josh, captures the essence of the lyrics with steely defiance, adding an extra layer of authenticity by injecting unique elements such as the sound of bottles shattering, tables flipping, and other little sonic details that evoke irreparable brokenness.

“Well, Yoko Na is like the product of a soul-baring session with my producer, Brian Lotho,” Josh Cullen explains. “For this particular jam, we traded cliched love stories with messy, real-life situations that ordinary people encounter on a daily basis: the frustrations and struggles from past relationships, and somehow confronted it with a more mature take. It's a song that's raw, honest, and straight from the heart.”

The partnership came to fruition after realizing that Al James’ style of laid-back rapping somehow fits the demo that Brian and Josh have been working on for months. Josh admits that he mustered the courage to ask the viral hitmaker to be part of the track despite the short notice. Luckily, Al James said yes and sent his verse a few days ahead of the deadline.

When asked about how Al James is as a collaborator, he said nothing but praise for the Pa-umaga act.

“He’s very chill. He submitted the reworked track ahead of time and recorded his parts in less than an hour. I really admire his level of professionalism. After that, we just bonded instantly and went on a food trip.”

Josh Cullen and Al James’ “Yoko Na” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

SB19’s Josh Cullen drops official remix of “Get Right,” featuring Filipino rapper Yuridope

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P-Pop star Josh Cullen joins forces with Filipino rapper Yuridope for the official remix of “Get Right.”

Instantly hitting it off with undeniable chemistry, the duo rocked the remix with an insatiable drive to flip the beat, get the verses turned up, and deliver a performance that is equally compelling as the original.

“I’ve been eyeing a remix for 'Get Right' with a local artist, and boom, Yuridope pops up,” the lead rapper and vocalist of SB19 reveals. “The dude is not just talented; he is genuine. And that verse of his? It was like he blinked and boom, and it was done. Literal na naglabada lang. (He literally washed it out).”

The remix treatment serves as a collaborative effort with multi-talented producer Cursebox, who brought a reinvigorating spin to the source material and helped Josh realize his vision. The result is an inter-genre tweak that pushes the envelope forward as far as production is concerned.

Josh recounts, “Cursebox deconstructed the beat, experimenting with sounds and rhythms to breathe new life into the track. Throughout the process, we provided feedback, ensuring the arrangement aligned with our vision. In the end, Cursebox's unique touch added depth to the song, elevating it to new heights while respecting its roots."

Serving as a gateway to bridge the gap between hip-hop enthusiasts and his captured market, the reimagining of “Get Right” provides an exciting opportunity to introduce new elements to the music while also inviting fans from different genres to experience Josh’s sound in a fresh light.

Josh adds, “This collaboration opens doors to new connections and possibilities, enriching our musical journey and expanding our reach. And with this remix, we're kicking off a larger journey, pioneering a unique sub-genre I'd like to call ‘hip-pop,’ which promises to bring even more innovation and excitement to the music scene.”

“Get Right” finds the SB19 rapper and vocalist embracing his music journey while navigating the challenges of making a dent in a highly competitive industry as a solo act. The original version was written and helmed by Josh Cullen himself, with collaborators Ocho the Bullet and UK-based indie icon No Rome assisting with the production.

Josh Cullen and Yuridope’s remix of “Get Right” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

SB19’s JOSH CULLEN redefines love song with edgy hip-hop twist in “Pakiusap Lang”

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The song comes with a music video that stars KAIA’s Angela and Charice as his love interests

After debuting as a bonafide solo star with the edgy banger “Wild Tonight,” SB19’s Josh Cullen continues his winning streak with the release of his follow-up single under Sony Music Entertainment.

Aptly titled “Pakiusap Lang,” the P-Pop artist proves that there are no four walls that can contain him when it comes to writing and producing a straightforward love song meshed with trap-laden beats and hip-hop verses.

“The lyrics came from my heart, and I wanted to make sure the arrangement and sonic vibe reflected my Filipino hip-hop side,” Cullen reveals. “My cousin and his friends helped out with the chorus, and we all had a good time putting it together.”

According to SB19’s resident lead rapper and sub-vocalist, “Pakiusap Lang” is a song that is based on his personal experiences and thoughts about relationships. He further explains, “It's all about the struggles of maintaining a relationship when you can't be with your partner all the time due to work or other struggles going on in life. The song encourages the listener to hold on and trust the process.”

A romantic rap ballad that forays into emotional honesty as much as it does with stylistic finesse, “Pakiusap Lang” shows a different side of Cullen: an entertainer that doesn’t need to resort to gimmicks just to prove his point.

The release of the track comes with an upcoming music video that explores the idea of “holding onto the memories of your loved one, even when you know it’s time to let go.” Directed by frequent collaborator Toothless (who also helmed the MV of SB19’s “Bazinga), the visuals bring Cullen’s ideas to life and expand on his initial concept with an element of mystery and an understated delivery.

It also stars KAIA members Angela and Charice, who happen to be the main characters in the MV. The two multi-talented artists also dabbled into acting prior to their debut as a P-Pop artist.

Cullen shares, “When I was planning out the music video for ‘Pakiusap Lang,’ I knew I wanted to create a story that was emotional and impactful. As I was brainstorming ideas, I thought about the possibility of incorporating plot twists into the video, to really capture the viewer's attention. That's when I had the idea to feature KAIA members Angela and Charice in the video. I had worked with them before and knew that they would bring a lot of talent and creativity to the project. Plus, their presence in the video would add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement for viewers. It was a pleasure to work with such talented and dedicated individuals, and I couldn't be happier with how the video turned out.”

“Pakiusap Lang” will be part of Josh Cullen’s upcoming debut EP, which will be released sometime this year. According to the rising multihyphenate, the maiden record sounds like a fusion between hip-hop and pop music, with his cousin Ocho helping him out in producing, conceptualizing, and refining the tracks. “You can expect a mix of different sounds and genre influences, but overall, it's a reflection of my journey as an artist and a person,” Cullen adds.

JOSH CULLEN’s “Pakiusap Lang” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. The music video of “WILD TONIGHT” will drop at 7pm on April 21, 2023 (Friday).