Flonique Guimary

Kyla reflects on 25-year journey, says she’s 'gutsy enough to break the norm'

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>As she celebrates her 25th year in the music industry, Philippine R&amp;B Queen Kyla looked back on her remarkable journey and how she broke the norm as one of the pioneers of the R&amp;B genre in the country.</p><div> </div><p>In an interview with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong></a> ahead of her anniversary concert “The Kyla Soundscape: The Best of 25 Years,” the OPM icon opened up about how her signature R&amp;B sound stood out during a time when the local music scene was dominated by ballads and novelty hits.</p><div> </div><p>“I guess I could say na I was gutsy because during the time when I started in the industry like yung R&amp;B genre, hindi pa siya well-loved or known, hindi pa siya fully embraced so I was really gutsy enough to do my thing and break the norm kasi dati mga novelty songs yung uso that time and more on birits and ballads and then when I entered I did this R&amp;B song na ‘Bring It On’ then I released ‘Hanggang Ngayon’ na something so solemn and refreshing  sa eras that time na early 2000s,” Kyla told <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong></a><strong>.</strong> </p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPQ6aUygUpB/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A3199390.2000000477%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1165" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>“25 years ago, I would say I was gutsier than right now, and I was not scared to do my thing,” she added.</p><div> </div><p>Kyla also admitted that before finding success, she doubted whether her sound would be accepted by the Filipino audience.</p><div> </div><p>“Before I started, I penetrated the music industry dito in the Philippines, I was already giving up hope na. I said ‘Mukhang hindi na ako matatanggap dito. I mean may sound I don’t think they will love it. Magsend na lang ako ng cassette tapes or recordings,” she said.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFmtiMWThFB/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A3199396.300000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1113" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>Despite her doubts, Kyla’s persistence paid off. She went on to redefine the OPM landscape, becoming one of the key figures who helped popularize R&amp;B in the Philippines and inspiring a new generation of artists. Now, 25 years later, Kyla remains passionate about growth and musical exploration.</p><div> </div><p>“Even after 25 years, I still want to explore that side of me, exploring new sounds and exploring like in terms of collaborating with musicians and writers. Something new kaya I want to do that,” she expressed. “Napakarami ko pang gustong gawin.”</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMU8P4Zzo9Y/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A3199402.9000000358%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1084" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>As she prepares for her milestone concert this October 18, Kyla expressed her gratitude to fans and shared her simple wish for this celebration.</p><div> </div><p>“On this anniversary, gusto ko lang magkaroon ng sold out show. That would be the very best gift to receive for my 25th year,” she remarked.</p><div> </div><p>Earlier this month, Kyla returned to the music scene after seven years with her newest full-length album, <em>Next Episode</em>, which features all-original tracks. She shared that the project was a long time in the making.</p><div> </div><p>“We really worked so hard for this album, the whole process and all of it, the recording, the song writing. It&#x27;s been a journey. It’s been really really great, itong <em>Next Episode,”</em> Kyla told <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong>.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLMHblCz2xP/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A3200056.800000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="951" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/10/5/ph-queen-of-r-b-kyla-grateful-to-work-with-jonathan-manalo-in-new-album-next-episode-0936" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: PH Queen of R&amp;B Kyla grateful to work with Jonathan Manalo in new album ‘Next Episode’</strong></a></div><div> </div><p>Through the years, Kyla said her love for R&amp;B has never faded: “My heart has remained strong from the very beginning since 25 years ago. I held on to that R&amp;B heart in me. ‘Yung R&amp;B na nasa puso ko, I held on to it for so long, I fought for it for 25 years until marindi na sila sa akin.”</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/10/6/kyla-on-holding-on-to-her-r-b-soul-my-heart-has-remained-strong-from-the-very-beginning-1817" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Kyla on holding on to her R&amp;B soul for 25 years: &#x27;My heart has remained strong from the very beginning&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_mmTwppSPi/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A3200077.2000000477%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1005" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>Kyla added that she feels happy and inspired to see more artists embracing R&amp;B today, saying it’s fulfilling to finally find others who share the same passion and musical identity.</p>

<p>Kyla recalls starting out in music when R&amp;B was still a little known genre in the country.</p>

Kyla recalls starting out in music when R&B was still a little known genre in the country.

EXCLUSIVE: Kyla reflects on 25-year journey, says she’s 'gutsy enough to break the norm'

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EXCLUSIVE: Kyla reflects on 25-year journey, says she’s 'gutsy enough to break the norm'

Nikka Sabio,

Push Team

Published October 17, 2025 06:01 PM PHT

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Kyla

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