Australia is looking to have more Filipinos doing more join efforts in music lately, a proof of this is the recent collaboration piece from both Australian-Filipino, hip-hop R&B artist Timba works with comedian turned rapper-singer JDP that just dropped their first release “HTWYL” independently, and it is a vibey tune that we're loving. Intended as their first single off their Pilot Mixtape, it was exclusively released on Soundcloud in October of 2021.

Singer-songwriter Timba gained recognition with his smokey, soulful voice and won a People's Choice Award through a competition held by Star Now. He's also been featured on the incredibly successful nationwide Australian radio show Triple J. Additionally, he's opened for reputable acts such as Trey Songz, Dru Hill, and Pleasure P, to name a few. He's also collaborated with other popular acts hailing from the Philippines such as Sin Santos and one of the many talented artists representing the GLOPM (Global Pinoy Music) initiative. It's evident that in the last two years his recognizable voice and talent have not gone unnoticed.

Similarly, JDP (aka Jaime Dela Pena) rose to fame when she became a TikTok sensation with her comedic skits about Filipina women in Australian modern culture. However, she's since been able to showcase her musical talent alongside her comedy. She's channeled her infectious humor in her music with her alter-ego and has since been featured notably on the Wish Bus USA and the Philippine Times. JDP states that "[she] was inspired to bring music that brought joy similar to how [her] videos made people laugh", and we can already feel her growing joyful presence within the Philippine music community.

"I hate the way you lie,
(boy, I hate the way you lie),
Why you always out of line?
I hate the way you lie,
That's all you do."

“HTWYL” is a playful tune featuring the production talent of fellow Filipino producer Christian Joseph and it has a somewhat nostalgic retro R&B vibe that brings a modern twist to the music we grew up loving. It features the storytelling of trust; something all of us faces in life as we learn to navigate our place in the world and the people we surround ourselves with, but its playful tune and lightheartedness bring positivity to the heavy topic.

It is evident that there is much to look forward to with this exciting united project with their magnetic energy, feel-good tunes, and relatable content. Their latest song “HTWYL” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other major streaming platforms.

About The Author

For Stephanie Belle, her passion for writing has always been there. Over the years, it transcended into her love for music. As a singer-songwriter and avid listener of a multitude of genres, Steph’s got a keen eye for spotting the best current music. She is now a presenter for The Chosen Dozen and a resident host of Beat This Philippines and currently makes music with the pop electronic band SYLAS.