While listening to her powerful new song “Don’t Go Changing“, it’s easy to forget that Ylona Garcia just turned 19 this year.
Born in Australia to Filipino parents, Ylona first became popular in the Philippines as a housemate in ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother” in 2015. Now she’s making waves in the US as an artist under Paradise Rising, the record label that Philippine telco Globe Telecom and US-based music company 88rising launched to help more Filipino artists enjoy international success.
The “Don’t Go Changing” music video (MV) is the first one in 88rising’s filmed #withGalaxy series as part of the “Head In The Clouds 3” visual album that will showcase a number of its artists and feature their fans. Filipino viewers will see a number of Filipino elements in Ylona’s MV, including the iconic Chickenjoy of Philippine fastfood giant Jollibee.
Ylona Garcia on letting go
An R&B ballad, “Don’t Go Changing” is about “grief through different stages of letting go“.
“The visual follows the 19-year-old belting the emotional song as she roams her apartment, seeking comfort in nostalgic Filipino snacks.”
The MV premiered on YouTube on Sept. 14, and on Sept. 18 Ylona posted on Twitter to thank her fans for helping the video reach one million views.
Filmed with Galaxy
Ylona had called on her fans in August to participate in making the “Don’t Go Changing” MV, in partnership with Samsung.
“All you have to do is share a video of what your upbringing means to you by using #withGalaxy + #88rising. It’s simple and easy and a great way to share your personal stories as well. Ylona is also set to perform at the “Head in the Clouds” Festival alongside Saweetie, Guapdad4000, and Rich Brian this fall. We can’t wait to check that out!”
88rising is the Asian- and Asian American-focused music label that created the album soundtrack for “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” the latest blockbuster from Marvel Studios and the first Marvel Cinematic Universe movie to star an Asian superhero.
“It’s a rare industry feat, on par with the movie it accompanies, to have Asian and Asian American talent front and center.
“This isn’t a traditional movie soundtrack. It’s not meant to merely underscore fight scenes (though it does it well), but more to document the humanity of Asian and Asian American communities. Miyashiro compares the album to a comforting pot of soup — a jjigae, ozoni or sinigang, perhaps — evoking memories of mom’s home cooking. It’s like a family get-together: Everyone’s welcome, let’s talk story, but please, remove your shoes first.”
88rising announced that Ylona had joined its Paradise Rising sub-label on Feb. 26 this year. She released her Paradise Rising debut single “All That” on March 3.
