SB19 collabs with Ben&Ben for a band version of hit single 'MAPA'

07/11/2021 01:03:05 PM

A rare big-time collaboration has taken place between two of the country's biggest acts today.

Folk-alternative-pop collective Ben&Ben has joined forces with the popular P-pop group SB19 this past June for the re-recording of the former’s smash single “MAPA” under Sony Music.

In a year marked by self-imposed isolation and forced withdrawal from the outside world, the inspirational ballad brims with positive light as it honors every loving and hardworking parent out there, who made our journey toward life bearable and filled with important lessons.

Roslyn Pineda, Sony Music’s General Manager for the Philippines, and Vice President for Business Development in Asia said the collaboration took place following the massive clamor from the general public for #SBen19 that initially began out of mutual love and respect last year.

“How did it happen? Basically, SB19 had an idea — a band version of MAPA,” Pineda initially disclosed. “And Ben&Ben said yes in a heartbeat, which perhaps shouldn’t have come as a surprise given their ‘Ma, may ___ na kami’ captions on social media that make their devotion to their parents public knowledge. As their label, it was wonderful for us to see SB19 and Ben&Ben get along so well.  And when they performed together on one stage, I don’t think anyone could deny—it was pure magic!”

The internationally recognized boyband added Pineda's enthusiasm by adding their sentiment on what it would be like working with the nine-piece collective during the former's time as trainees. 

“It was really nice because while working, we were able to share stories and experiences that brought us closer. Also, during the shoot of our video, we were encouraging each other to gain confidence and just enjoy the performance,” SB19 said in a statement.

Packed with jazzy, orchestral details, inviting harmonies, and expansive arrangements, the new version of “MAPA” frames its extraordinary paean of parental love with commitment to emotional sincerity and nuanced storytelling. SB19 was gracious enough to give this triple-platinum-maker band permission to rearrange the material, ensuring that it stays faithful to the creative vision of both groups, collaboratively and individually. 

“We were 100% involved with the process. They gave us free liberty to arrange the song, only giving us additional comments to help make some parts flow better,” Ben&Ben said in a statement. “Pablo (SB19) and Pat were directly coordinating and constantly giving updates, and the suggestions he gave greatly helped us during the final recording sessions.”

While Ben&Ben revealed that all of the band members were creatively responsible for their individual parts, their keyboardist Pat Lasaten and electric guitarist Poch Baretto mainly conceptualized and spearheaded the entire arrangement. 

“They’re two of the most technically proficient in the band when it comes to arranging intricate sections, and they wanted to add that to support the powerful message of the original song. Arrangement-wise, we wanted to make it distinct from the original, adding fun rhythms and grand sections. We felt that doing this added weight, and served to support the powerful vocal performance of both acts.”

The instrumentation takes a huge artistic leap by updating the original with layers of sonic ambition and introspection, and as a result, rebuilding the sound from the ground up, while creating magic that transcends beyond the material. 

“We want people to have a different vibe about the song,” SB19’s Pablo pointed out. “The original version is more mellow, while this version gives it a rich, well-rounded, and a happy feeling - put together in such a way that it makes listeners feel more uplifted when they hear the song.”

This grand collaboration also takes place in such a historic and landmark-defining manner with the performance video of the song at the historic Manila Metropolitan Theatre. Pineda takes immense pride in this feat. 

“The Manila Metropolitan Theater is a revered national treasure,” the record label executive shared. “Apparently, it’s the only existing art deco building of its size and integrity in Asia. So to have SB19 and Ben&Ben be the first artists to grace this iconic venue after 6 years of restoration is nothing short of a groundbreaking cultural moment”

SB19 and Ben&Ben's MAPA can be heard on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music, with its music video available for streaming on SB19’s Official YouTube account.

Author: slickmaster | © 2021 The SlickMaster's Files