Tabudlo gained popularity through his hit song Binibini during the pandemic, which made wide acclaim across the region. Rolling Stone added this song to its list, “One of the Songs from International Hitmakers You Should Have on Your Radar in 2021”.

Looking back at his posts for the past three years, one would find Tabudlo’s disbelief in the overwhelming support he has been receiving from fans and award-giving bodies. He recently held an anniversary concert show for his first album, Episode, at 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. To his surprise, ten thousand people watched him perform live and celebrated with him, making him the artist responsible for the biggest music show ever held in the area.

Behind the song, Turn Back Time

Wautier, similarly, catapulted into the Thai entertainment industry through The Voice Thailand. This alternative pop musician, songwriter, and actress garnered critical acclaim and awards for her music and acting. Wautier’s second single, Smoke, broke the record for most views of an English song performed by a Thai artist on YouTube with 6.5 million views.

This artist’s album, Glitter and Smoke, was released in 2020 as her first English-language album. The single earned the top spot on the Apple Music Chart in eight countries, including Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Wautier’s Thai album, Your Girl, released in 2022, tackles the artist’s vulnerability and life stories, touching on self-love and self-worth.

“I do have a lot of passion for music, so that’s what kept me going. I’m doing what I love, and I’ve always been doing that. I think that music really takes me far and now I get to meet this incredible artist, writer, and producer, so I’m very lucky right now,” Wautier says.

Generally, Wautier’s songwriting prowess is charged by her inspiration from her life and the true stories around her. She shared via Zoom during the Southeast Asian press conference of the music video launch that she tapped into her instincts and memories of heartbreak to add to the lyrics Tabudlo initially wrote for Turn Back Time.

“I met Zack in 2022 in Singapore,” Wautier says. “I have so much respect for him as an artist, and when I was asked in an interview on who I’d like to collaborate with in Southeast Asia, I immediately mentioned him. From that on, our labels got to talking and made it happen,” she adds.

Similarly, Tabudlo’s top of mind when asked by his team who he wanted to collaborate with. “I was actually in Thailand for a vacation when the idea came to me that maybe I can write a song similar to Pano, but with both the perspective of a man and a woman falling out of love,” he adds.

Collaborating with other artists is a comfort zone for Tabudllo, he shares exclusively with Tatler in a sit-down interview at the Universal Music Philippines’ office during the launch of the music video. 

“That comfort zone comes with creativity as well. When you dive into a song with two artists, the magic appears,” Tabudlo says. Prior to the release of Turn Back Time, he also collaborated with Al James for Gusto, and with Johnny Orlando for someone will love you better, to name a few. 

Compared to his previous songs, Turn Back Time differentiates itself by being gender-focused. He submitted to Wautier’s team the demo of the entire song and the lyrics of the first half, leaving out the rest for the Thai artist’s input. Stemming from the international fame of Pano, Tabudlo planned that this song would be in English for more people to appreciate fully. 

Turn Back Time lays down the heartwrenching effects of a good relationship that turned sour that despite how messy it ended, there is still love and understanding that remain, albeit unsaid.

“Like any relationship, there are the beautiful moments you share, but there’s also pain involved,” Wautier summarises the song’s message. “I think anyone that has had a relationship that lasted over a long time can understand that. And that’s what really inspired the song—it’s just very real and as much as it hurts and as much as you want a relationship to work, sometimes it just doesn’t work out.”

Reaching global success

Tabudlo was introduced to Bright when he watched Wautier’s concert a few months before the music video shoot. The actor-model grew popular among Filipino audiences for the BL series 2gether and its sequel Still 2gether. 

“Me and him just vibed the moment we saw each other in the shoot. The three of us share a common interest in music that grounded our group dynamic. Bright was really cool and we still communicate,” Tabudlo shares.

Being it the first time for Tabudlo to make a music video outside the Philippines, he was surprised to find it ”chill”. Despite the rising temperature of the summer season, Tabudlo was amazed by the warmth and comfort the whole team imparted to him.

Tabudlo didn’t foresee his success in the Philippines reaching international audiences. “I was just focused on my music, especially writing songs for my sanity. Every time I experience something, I write it down like it was my therapy. Doing covers of global hits was another thing of mine back then. And so when my song blew up, trending on TikTok and YouTube. . .I honestly felt that that was it for me. And so, reaching Southeast Asia, it’s pretty wild,” the artist says.

Many more projects are in the lineup for Tabudlo in the next few months. He is also preparing an album to be released soon. Through it, he aims to explore other genres he has barely touched before.

“Definitely, it is a challenge to develop further my music as we’re already considering the Southeast Asian market now, as well as other countries like the US. It’s a different brand from what we regularly have here in the Philippines. But I believe that here, it doesn’t matter where you came from; we appreciate it as long as it is good music,” Tabudlo says.

Diving into the Southeast Asian market for the music industry feels like a different world for Tabudlo. It has many subcultures that he must know and respect if he wants to create better music. However frightening, the GenZ rising star is unfazed.

“OPM has a great grasp already in the region, and many other artists are doing great work as well,” says Tabudlo.

For those just starting with their careers, Tabudlo shares, “There should never be an excuse for you not to release your music as there are many available means nowadays. I’ve seen so many artists now on the charts who used their phones to create music, and thousands of people listen to it. We have so many channels now and knowledge in terms of technology, so there’s no excuse for you not to have the capability. And so, it comes down to your ideas. Never limit your ideas. You can write any song with all the ideas that you have. It‘s all in your head and heart. Just believe in the craft that you do. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or where you are starting. Believe in yourself.”

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