SB19, Gloc-9 hope to empower listeners in collab track ‘Kalakal’

SB19 and Gloc-9. Image: Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment

For SB19 and Gloc-9, working together on the collaborative track “Kalakal” is a process they took upon themselves in hopes of creating a song that empowers listeners to believe in their craft.

SB19 and Gloc-9 dropped the new single “Kalakal” at midnight on Friday, Aug. 9, which started after the P-pop powerhouse reached out to the hip-hop artist for a “potential partnership” after their performance on the second day of “Pagtatag!” finale concert last May.

According to the quintet, working with the “Sirena” hitmaker motivated them to be “vulnerable and truthful” in bringing this song to life while maintaining the song’s “anthemic aspects.”

“‘Kalakal,’ with its impactful instrumentation and earworm appeal, was made in pursuit of authentic human connection… what sets this collaboration apart from anything that we’ve done before is that we took it upon ourselves to be as involved as possible from the beginning of the creative process,” SB19 said in a press statement.

“Aside from brainstorming from scratch, we were really hands-on in sharing our melodic and lyrical ideas. Sir Gloc-9 also approached the material with his own creative stamp and further solidified the storytelling aspects of our final output,” they continued.

The song features individual parts written by the group’s members and Gloc-9 themselves, to create an “anthem” that encourages listeners to sing along with “full emotional glory.”

“The result is something that we’re excited to share with our music fans: a rousing chant that brings out the best of both worlds in uniquely inspiring ways,” SB19 said. “We always wanted to make a song that resonates with people of varying generations, a material that will encourage them to beat their chests out and sing along in their full emotional glory.”

Meanwhile, Gloc-9 said he was inspired by SB19’s “level of dedication and confidence” while working with them for the single. “This song is all about believing in your own craft.”

“Despite being years ahead of them, I was actually inspired by SB19’s level of dedication and confidence,” he continued. “I also admire their willingness to learn and explore ideas that may not necessarily reflect the way they work. I would love to collaborate with them again if given a chance.”

“Kalakal” was first announced at a joint concert for a Taiwanese electronics brand last Aug. 4, where SB19 was one of the performers. Gloc-9, who was initially not announced in the lineup, made a surprise appearance in the quintet’s performance.

A FIERY COLLAB FROM SB19 AND GLOC-9 🔥

WATCH: P-pop powerhouse SB19 and Gloc-9 surprise fans at a joint show with a performance of their new single “Kalakal” on Sunday, Aug. 4, in Pasay City.

“Kalakal” will be released on Aug. 9, per the Filipino acts. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/vHjcfzID9t

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 5, 2024

SB19 made history as the first P-pop group to win the Favorite Asian Act award at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2024 in July. They also appeared on the Japanese music platform “The Take” where they performed “Gento” and “Mapa” in the same month.

The P-pop quintet is set to release their “Pagtatag!” documentary film in theaters on Aug. 28.