NEW SINGLE & OFFICIAL VIDEO OUT MARCH 8TH
[MANILA MARCH 8TH 2024] Superstars collide as Black Eyed Peas legend APL.DE.AP and 2NE1 K-Pop icon SANDARA PARK join forces on brand new collaboration ‘2 Proud’, out March 8th on all digital streaming platforms.
Produced by long-time BEP music director Keith Harris, ‘2 Proud’ is an instant earworm, an infectious slice of pop infused with gentle hip-hop perfectly primed for global playlists. Speaking about the new music and working with SANDARA PARK, APL.DE.AP said: “It’s been a long time coming for SANDARA and I. Both of us grew up partly in the Philippines so to have been able to connect for the first time was a kind of magic. SANDARA was amazing on this track. We had made it during the pandemic but she was a star through everything. The song is a bit of a departure from a lot of what you’d expect from a Black Eyed Peas’ member, but I listen to a lot of different kinds of music. I hope you enjoy it too.”
SANDARA PARK commented: “APL.DE.AP and I have known each other for many years; we both have cherished memories of the Philippines, which bonds us over. As a huge fan of his music, working on this project was filled with excitement and joy. Even though we had to do everything far off separately due to the pandemic, we finally made it and the song came out super great. I hope you also enjoy our first collaboration and one day, I wish we could perform it live in front of the fans.”
The track’s official video is directed by Ben Mor, who has also been behind the camera for Beyoncé, Coldplay and the Black Eyed Peas. The ‘50s vibe video sees APL.DE.AP lounging poolside, soaked in soft Californian sunshine, SANDARA PARK channelled via a TV set indicative of the era. The easy feel and delicate palette of the video perfectly complement the track’s lilting, featherweight production, highlighting APL.DE.AP and SANDARA’s vocals as the standout elements.
The pair originally met in 2011 when 2NE1 collaborated with APL.DE.AP’s band member Will.i.am on original new music and have kept in contact ever since. South Korean SANDARA PARK grew up in the Philippines and speaks fluent Tagalog; American-Filipino APL.DE.AP is one of South East Asia’s biggest and most successful musical exports. As one third of legendary pop supergroup Black Eyed Peas, over a career spanning 36 years, APL.DE.AP has dominated global charts, secured multiple GRAMMY, AMA, MTV, BET, Billboard, NRJ and Soul Train awards, and performing to billions of fans worldwide. Already a platinum-selling music star and acclaimed actress in the Philippines, it was in 2009 as ‘SANDARA PARK’ – alongside Bom, CL and Minzy – that SANDARA PARK achieved worldwide acclaim as K-Pop’s original girl band sensation 2NE1, still one of the best-selling girl bands in the world.
With more new solo music from APL.DE.AP rumoured to be on the horizon, and his regular schedule of major global tour dates as part of Black Eyed Peas, 2024 looks set to be one of the biggest years yet for this international music superstar.
APL.DE.AP & SANDARA PARK ‘2 PROUD’ IS RELEASED MARCH 8TH 2024 VIA ALL DSPS AND DOWNLOAD SITES VIA VYDIA.
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ABOUT APL.DE.AP:
Founding member of iconic supergroup Black Eyed Peas , Apl.de.Ap has carved his legacy across the global stage, holding nine GRAMMY Awards, eight American Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, four Billboard Latin Awards, one MOBO Award and countless more. Critically acclaimed, performing to crowds in their millions across a career that, to date, spans two and a half decades.
As Black Eyed Peas, alongside will.i.am and Taboo , their discography is stacked with chart-topping singles and multi-platinum releases. Nine studio albums spawned 40 singles – anthems like Where Is The Love?, Let's Get It Started, I Gotta Feeling and Boom Boom Pow all dominating global airwaves. An eight year hiatus ended with the 2020 album TRANSLATION and 2022 follow-up ELEVATION collaborating with the likes of Shakira, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin and more. A judge on The Voice Philippines, Apl.de.Ap also discovered the singer J. Rey Soul, who replaced Fergie as vocalist for Black Eyed Peas.
Apl.de.Ap uses his considerable influence to make waves in other areas including agriculture and sustainability. Never forgetting his Filipino farming roots but always at the cutting edge of technology and culture, Apl.de.Ap is behind the major new green energy movement biochar. Founded in 2011, his Apl.de.Ap Foundation, International (APLFI) focuses on youth education, providing underrepresented youth around the world with greater opportunity, resources, and access to the latest in education, arts, and innovation.
ABOUT SANDARA PARK:
SANDARA PARK, a multi-talented entertainer giving off pure energy, debuted as a member of the iconic group 2NE1, who are still on everyone’s lips. She initially gained popularity as a singer in the Philippines through the talent audition program 'Star Circle Quest' on ABS-CBN in June 2004.
In May 2009, 2NE1's debut song 'Fire' showcased a sophisticated and powerful music genre with a groundbreaking style and performance, setting the group as pioneers of the hot icon. Within the group, she established her unique image through unconventional style and onstage manner.
Subsequently, with hits like 'I Don’t Care,' 'I Am the Best,' 'Go Away,' 'UGLY,' and 'Can’t Nobody,' 2NE1 solidified their position as one of South Korea’s leading girl groups. In September 2009, SANDARA PARK also showcased herself with the release of 'KISS,' featuring CL, delivering a pop-oriented vocal style. From 2016, she expanded her presence through various fields such as TV shows 'I Live Alone' and ‘Unnies without Appetite,’ showing her bright energy to the public.
In 2023, she officially commenced her solo music career by releasing the mini-album [SANDARA PARK]. Sampled from a famous Korean song of the same name, the title track ‘FESTIVAL’ presents her vibrant and energetic vibes. The album includes diverse tracks collaborated with artists such as Heize, GRAY, and sunwoojunga (SWJA,) aiming to achieve completeness and diversity to appeal to all generations, thereby solidifying her unique character.
Source: Blackstar