Radha broadens her range

One of the groups that uniquely stood out in the ’90s was Kulay, the trio behind such delectable hits as “Burn,” “Get Down” and “Shout.”

Any mention of Kulay will immediately bring up Radha’s name, who joined the group when she was only 15 years old and whose voice became the imprint of the group’s music. The kind of sound it produced was as vibrant and colorful as its name which, despite its musical influences, resonated with a distinct Pinoy flavor.

After the trio parted ways, Radha began focusing on a solo career, producing her own shows and performing in top music venues. We recently caught one such performance at 19 East and were treated to a satisfying repertoire of R&B, soul and rock music.

Radha told us that every show she does is different because she personally curates a set list that is inspired by the diverse artists she listens to—from Aretha Franklin and Alanis Morissette to Radiohead and French singer France Gall.

A few years ago, Radha was thrust into mainstream consciousness when she joined the very first season of “The Voice Philippines,” where she finished as one of the semifinalists. Prior to her stint in “The Voice,” Radha took a hiatus from singing to focus on personal endeavors, one of them being a production assistant for various film and teleserye projects.

“I would get people their coffee and run errands for them. I was very hands-on. I knew the other side of the business, and I wanted to understand the production side of it. I really wanted to do a good job because, for a time, I didn’t want to sing anymore,” she disclosed.

It was upon the suggestion of a colleague that she joined “The Voice.”

She mused, “I’ve never joined any contest in my life, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ I said that whether someone turns his chair or not, I’m cool with it.

My motivation was that I could always learn something new from that experience. It was never with an ‘I’m going to win’ attitude.”

Yet Radha drew flak from some naysayers on social media who questioned why someone who has already made a name for herself still chose to join a contest.

“I had bashers on social media,” she recalled. “I didn’t dwell on it that much because people have different tastes, and public opinion is based on their readiness to accept something that is uncommon for them—and I respect that. They can bash me all they want, but I will still sing.”

And that’s exactly what Radha did. Her defiance and nonconformity allowed her the freedom to take on various projects and pursue her kind of music. This led her to collaborate with Bituin Escalante and Frenchie Dy.

“We’re so different from each other, and I am talking about ugali, singing style and everything else. But when you put us together, it works!”

Thereafter, the trio became the faces of a retail chain’s fashion line, which catered to plus-size women.

Radha was also part of #TheBodyLoveRevolution Conference, which celebrates women in all shapes and sizes, recognizes their indefatigable strength, and advocates for women empowerment.

Radha was also thrilled to share that she recently completed her first foray into the indie scene via the upcoming film, “Misterio dela Noche,” based on a play that traces the origins of the manananggal.

Set during the Spanish period, the story centers on a woman raised in the woods by enchanted, shape-shifting spirits who falls in love with a stranger for the first time. The film also stars Solenn Heussaff, Benjamin Alves, Elizabeth Oropesa, Gina Alajar, Rosanna Roces and Alan Paule.

Why an indie?

“As a performer, we often do stuff to entertain other people, and that isn’t a bad thing because that’s the reason why we’re performers. You don’t please yourself onstage, you give pleasure to everyone. As artists, however, we need to give ourselves that dose of soul food.”

Here, she plays a wild sow—a role that required her to act and sing. Radha, who just happens to be screen icon Lolita Rodriguez’s granddaughter, is no stranger to acting, really. She started her career in theater as a young actress. She performed alongside Chinggoy Alonzo and Veda Bañez in “The Great White Way” at Metropolitan Theater.

“I loved the entire indie experience,” she beamed. “You know going into it that it would be difficult. But after you wrap, ang sarap! I was terrified by it, because of my grandmother and how I will measure up to her legacy. I just thought, ‘It doesn’t matter’—because I realized you’re always going to be compared, so I’ll just do me. At the end of the day, I’m a totally different person.”