The new track was helmed and co-written by multi-platinum producer Mark Feist, who’s worked with globally renowned artists like Beyonce, Celine Dion, Outkast, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, and more
OPM icon Jay R links up with Los Angeles-based pop newcomer Shanice on their collaborative single, “Never Ever”—released on Friday, August 22, 2025 via Hitmakers Entertainment and Symphonic Asia.
Produced and co-written by Grammy-nominated Mark Feist, alongside Shanice and Jay R, the sophisticated R&B jam tackles a kind of love that stays and sticks even when the pieces don’t quite fit. With suave and soulful vocals that cut through a bed of lush strings, slow-burning grooves, and hypnotic instrumentation, “Never Ever” captures the soothing warmth of coming home to a loved one, pledging devotion even through life’s coldest seasons.
“Never Ever is about love and wanting it forever,” says Mark Feist, the chart-topping producer behind worldwide hits like Destiny’s Child’s Emotions. “It’s a tale as old as time, and something all people can relate to, whether it manifests in the form of love, loss, or longing.”
The track’s creative journey began with Shanice’s scratch melody, which Feist reimagined from a straightforward 4/4 into a sweeping 6/8 to give the song a more cinematic, flowing quality. From there, he restructured the arrangement, placing the hook at the forefront and refining the chord progression to build emotional momentum.
The recording took place between Los Angeles and Manila, with Shanice and Jay R laying their vocals in separate studios. Feist incorporated live instrumentation, tapping Erick Walls (Usher, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson) on electric guitar and Courtney Leonard (Chris Brown, Beyoncé) on bass. Every sonic detail was shaped to enhance the emotional arc of the lyrics, from the delicate intro to the soaring, anthemic chorus.
“Once the lyrics were complete and Jay R added his Tagalog parts, the song kind of produced itself,” recalls Feist. “I heard all of these amazing string parts in my head, wrote them down and built the track around that lush foundation. This is one of the productions that I’m most proud of—not only for the music, but the way it brought together incredible talent from two continents into one seamless piece of art.”
For Jay R and Shanice, the collaboration brought the best of both worlds, literally and figuratively. “Shanice wrote the song and presented it already perfect,” reveals the King of R&B. “I just added a few Tagalog lyrics to better fit our market. She’s incredibly talented, and we share a natural chemistry on stage.”
Shanice shares the same sentiment, praising Jay R for his commitment to the collaborative process. “Working with Jay R is so cool! The creative process was natural and easy. He’s so talented and experienced, and I learned so much from him. Never Ever has been one of the highlights of my journey so far.”
Guji Lorenzana, who oversees the project’s promotional efforts through Symphonic Asia, believes that while Never Ever resonates in today’s music climate, it has a timeless edge that people from different generations would appreciate. He affirms that both artists have a promising future not just in the Philippines, but around the world.
“I think Never Ever feels especially relevant right now because we’re seeing a reemergence of that OG R&B sound, both in the Philippines and the USA,” the record label executive explains. “It’s a style that instantly takes you back but still feels fresh today. For me, this track hits home the production is top-notch, the vibe is smooth, and the chemistry between Jay R and Shanice is undeniable. I hope listeners feel that same connection, whether it’s love at first listen or something that grows on them with every replay.”
Jay R and Shanice’s “Never Ever” is out on all digital music platforms worldwide this Friday, August 22, 2025 via Hitmakers Entertainment and Symphonic Asia.
About Jay R
Jay R, widely recognized as the "King of R&B" in the Philippines, is celebrated for his extraordinary talent and original artistry. Born in Los Angeles, California, his passion for music began early. He performed with The Howlers alongside his sister Jhing, under the guidance of their uncle Bob, and later refined his craft with the boy band First Impression before launching his solo career.
After relocating to Manila, Jay R released his debut album, Gameface, which achieved double- platinum status, firmly establishing him as an R&B icon. He followed up with acclaimed albums such as Soul In Love, OPM Love Classics, and Elevated, earning multiple platinum and gold certifications. His music remains popular and easily accessible on Spotify.
Beyond his music career, Jay R has been a sought-after brand ambassador for major companies like Colgate, Tropicana, and Bench. Currently, he is meticulously working on his next album,
dedicating countless hours in the studio to ensure every detail reflects his artistic vision. With an impressive 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Jay R continues to make waves in the music industry. His recent single, Sining, dominated the charts in the Philippines for over 45 days and secured his place in history as the first Filipino artist to enter the global Top 60 chart. It was also the fastest song to 200M streams in the Philippines, with well over 300M streams to date.
Now, releasing music through Hitmakers Entertainment (HME), alongside famed producer and label head Mark J. Feist (Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, etc.), Jay R’s most recent single through HME titled “Tunay” draws from the soulful R&B era of the early 2000s. His upcoming release on August 22, a duet with fellow HME roster mate Shanice, titled “Never Ever”, is an emotional rollercoaster sure to leave audiences captivated and eager for more.
About Shanice
Shanice is a 23-year-old pop artist living in Los Angeles, CA. Growing up in Bremen, Germany, she has a diverse background, with parents of Turkish, German, and Portuguese descent. Shanice's music is a reflection of her diverse upbringing, drawing inspiration from a variety of genres, including Pop, R&B, 80s music, rock and jazz, and influence from the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Cullum, Gang of Youths, Hozier, and so much more.
After graduating from Hurtwood House, Shanice went on to study music at Leeds Conservatoire, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Pop Music. While there, she connected with Mark Feist, famed producer (Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, etc.) and Hitmakers Entertainment Label Head, who signed her immediately upon graduation.
Shanice released her debut single, "I Got You" on August 25, 2023. The song is a self- empowerment anthem about knowing your worth and being confident in yourself. "I Got You" has been praised for its catchy melody, powerful lyrics, and Shanice's stunning vocals. The official music video showcases her unbelievable performance and dance skills that rival the best in the business.
Speaking on her music and writing, Shanice said, “I would describe my music as a relief for emotions. Every feeling, or memory you can’t put into words because it is too overwhelming, that is what I aim for my music to express. I want my songs to give a voice to all those sentiments that are so heartachingly powerful that you cannot describe them. I put my heart into all of my songs, so I hope with some of the things I address lyrically, I can help people and inspire them.”
Since then, Shanice has written and released over 25 masters and 8 official music videos. She continues to release a new song every month, experimenting with lyrics, performance, and bending genres to compete with the best that Pop has ever seen. With her unique sound and undeniable talent, Shanice is sure to be a star on the rise, as the world continues to experience the breadth of who she is.
