Filipino musician Ken of Filipino boy band SB19 just made his official solo debut with “Palayo” (Away).
Ken, who goes by the mononym FELIP (his full name is Felip Jhon Suson) for his solo project, explores a left-field R&B direction in “Palayo,” a marked departure from the high-octane pop style his band’s well-known for.
Released on September 18, the Bisaya track dropped with a self-executive-produced companion visual (called “mood film”) starring FELIP in high-fashion ensembles. In “Palayo,” the artist wards off attempts from a distrusted lover. He sings, “Taas ra kay’ imong garbo, oh / If there’s a problem girl that’s you, oh / Wa nako kabalo, oh / Kanus-a ka makontento / Gihatag ko tanang gusto / Kulang paba sa imo?” (You got some pride / If there’s a problem girl that’s you / I don’t know / When you’d feel satisfied / I gave you everything you want / Isn’t that enough for you?). As of publishing, the music video has nearly 700,000 views.
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Upon the release, SB19’s official Twitter account shared a handwritten note from Ken, a.k.a. FELIP. It read, “We poured our hearts into making the song and the MV, with hopes that ‘Palayo’ inspires you to love yourself more, especially in times when it’s difficult and painful to do.”
? Here's a special message from #SB19_KEN
[ENG TRANS] We poured our hearts into making the song and the MV, with hopes that 'Palayo' inspires you to love yourself more, especially in times when it's difficult and painful to do.
Thank you, and I love you, A'TIN! pic.twitter.com/ypKezrKYcq
— SB19 Official ?? (@SB19Official) September 19, 2021
On his personal account, Ken also thanked his fans for their support, assuring them that he “understands all [your] concerns” and acknowledges that their opinions are for his “own sake.”
Naiintindihan ko lahat ng concerns nyo, I know naman na para sa ikabubuti ko lahat opinion nyo,and I wanna Thank you all for that ? bago lang to so obviously wala talaga akong reach. kayo lang talaga makakapanuod neto…
— ken19 (@keun16308352) September 11, 2021
The SB19 member is the first from the band to put out a solo project. In July, the quintet released their first EP, Pagsibol. Earlier this year, they became the first music act to be nominated at the fan-voted Top Social Artist at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards along with Ariana Grande, and K-pop superstar acts Seventeen, BLACKPINK, and eventual winner BTS.
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Watch “Palayo” below:
