Quest says latest single is ‘my anthem to God’

Quest

In his latest single “Permanente,” the hip-hop and R&B artist Quest, who’s known for his punchy, swaggering and rap-laden sound, taps into his gentler side to come up with a melodious ballad that’s romantic and uplifting all at once.

“We need to learn how to evolve musically. I believe I can transition from a song like ‘Sige Lang’ to ‘Walang Hanggan’; ‘Saludo’ to ‘No Greater Love.’ That’s because my creative process not only involves words and melodies, but also emotions,” he told the Inquirer.

Every song he creates, he added, is an “extension” of himself. “I make sure I leave a part of me in every song I make. Thats why I’ll rap when it’s time to rap and I’ll sing when it’s time to sing,” said Quest, whose real name is Jose Villanueva III.

As its title suggests, “Permanente” talks about a kind of love that’s unconditional and enduring. “We have the ability to make it permanent. Love is an inexhaustible energy coming from an eternal source,” he said.

Quest had one person in mind when he first started writing the song, but it grew into something bigger.

“It came to a point where you can’t encapsulate this song to just one person. It became my anthem to God and His amazing love and faithfulness to us; about experiencing His love so powerfully that you know for sure that you’ll search for it again,” he explained.

Joining him in the song—released by Warner Music PH and 25 South—is Kiana Valenciano, whom he considers family. “I had so many voices in mind but Kiana’s timing in the process was perfect,” Quest said.

“She meant every word, every line, every melody,” he added. “She’s easy to work with. She’s like my little sister and we had so much fun working on the song.”