Marilag Odtohan

B is for Bagong Amats: The Rise of ‘Arizona B’ and Its Shining Christmas Comeback

After the breakout success of her track “Arizona B,” Arizona Brandy has solidified herself as an artist to watch and a sound that is uniquely hers. Now, Arizona is set to release a holiday version—reimagining the hit into something festive, spirited, and very Paskong Pinoy.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764568403260Screenshot 2025-12-01 at 1.51.48 PM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Screengrab from &#x27;Arizona B&#x27; music video"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Screengrab from &#x27;Arizona B&#x27; music video</span></span></span></div><p>“Drag Race Philippines” and “Slaysian Royale” alumni Arizona Brandy is having a moment — one that feels both hard-earned and only the beginning.</p><p>After the breakout success of her track “Arizona B,” she has solidified herself as an artist to watch and a sound that is uniquely hers. Now, Arizona is set to release a holiday version — reimagining the hit into something festive, spirited, and very Paskong Pinoy. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Charting the rise of &#x27;Arizona B&#x27; </strong></div><p>“Arizona B” began as a deeply personal track but it quickly grew into a full-fledged fan favorite — circulating across playlists, social media edits, and word-of-mouth recommendations. Arizona admitted she had a feeling the song might trend, but not to <em>this </em>level of success.</p><p>For Drag Race fans, “Arizona B” first appeared as a performance track during the talent show number of Arizona on “Slaysian Royale,” before being released on major streaming platforms. Since then, the song has gained remarkable traction — not only in the vibrant nightlife of drag clubs but also throughout the streets of the metro, with listeners from kids in jeepneys to titos and titas who stumbled upon it on autoplay. The track has soared past 2 million YouTube views and topped charts like iTunes Philippines.</p><p>Beyond capturing her brand and drag, “Arizona B” became a vessel for celebrating Filipino culture, from local arts and features of Filipino and Asian drag queens, to videoke, Pinoy humor, iconic Philippine landmarks, and the distinct pulse of Budots.</p><p>Often described as the Philippines&#x27; homegrown party music, Budots—originally pioneered by DJ Love in Davao—is characterized by its energetic beats, whistle-like hooks, and a carefree spirit. Arizona openly recognizes how this music has long thrived in underground spaces and she hopes to use her platform to honor those origins and amplify DJ Love&#x27;s pioneering work, through her track &quot;Arizona B.&quot; </p><p>Part of what made “Arizona B” stand out was its camp sensibility and sharp references to Philippine pop culture. Arizona does not hide behind metaphors, and that transparency, paired with the track’s electric beat, has positioned the song as both modern and timeless. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Christmas glow-up</strong></div><p>With the success of the song continuing to build, Arizona felt it was the right moment to take “Arizona B” somewhere unexpected: Christmas. Could a track rooted in personal reflection find a place in the warm, nostalgic world of holiday music? Arizona believed it could — and listeners seem ready to hear the result.</p><p>The Christmas version serves as a cleaner take on the original, retaining the distinct pulse of Budots while wrapping it in a softer, festive glow. It is a family-friendly rendition meant to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, free from the explicit elements of the first release.</p><p>&quot;Budots pa rin siya, of course... pero Christmas version na and &#x27;yon nga, gusto kong masayaw siya sa mga school, ng mga pamilya together, though ginagawa na nila. Asahan ninyo lang na [may mga] binago [ako] sa lyrics. Gano&#x27;n pa rin &#x27;yung vibe, pero mas pang-Christmas lang, &quot; Arizona explained.</p><p>Reimagining a well-loved track comes with a pressure, but Arizona embraced the challenge. While the original centered on her journey before, during, and after Drag Race, the Christmas version aims to capture the spirit of Paskong Pinoy: one that soothes, unites, and offers relief from the troubles the country has faced.</p><p>Asked what she hopes her listeners will feel while listening to the song, Arizona said, &quot;To have fun. Kasi kaya ko ginawa &#x27;yung kanta... in the first place ginawa ko &#x27;yung kanta for Drag Race, so ang message ko roon: drag is fun...my drag is not serious, ang saya lang mag-drag. And ito [the Christmas version] hopefully, ma-feel nila na ang saya, holiday na, Pasko na, na ang saya lang ng life.&quot;</p><p>The song is set for release on December 3 at 8 p.m. on all streaming platforms, with visualizers to follow on December 5. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Just getting started </strong></div><p>The success of “Arizona B” marked a pivotal moment in Arizona’s career, launching her into a vast creative space and earning her a devoted fan base eager for whatever she does next.</p><p>“Siyempre ‘yung pagkakaroon ng kanta, pagkakaroon ng &#x27;Arizona B,&#x27; it’s forever mine, and happy ako roon,” Arizona reflected.</p><p>She still cannot believe how far &quot;Arizona B&quot; has taken her. To her, it feels like a lifetime achievement — an opportunity to spotlight the underrated, while carrying with her the excellence of drag that was once rarely seen or heard in the mainstream.</p><p>With the momentum she has built, fans can expect more Budots, more music, and more visuals as she steps into an even bigger phase of her artistic evolution.</p><p>From Drag Race, to “Arizona Bonding” and “B Is for Bonding” YouTube series with Hana Beshie, and the hit “Arizona B” — if this year is any indication, Arizona Brandy has no plans of sashaying away anytime soon.</p>

<p>After the breakout success of her track “Arizona B,” Arizona Brandy has solidified herself as an artist to watch and a sound that is uniquely hers. Now, Arizona is set to release a holiday version — reimagining the hit into something festive, spirited, and very Paskong Pinoy. </p>

After the breakout success of her track “Arizona B,” Arizona Brandy has solidified herself as an artist to watch and a sound that is uniquely hers. Now, Arizona is set to release a holiday version — reimagining the hit into something festive, spirited, and very Paskong Pinoy.

Arizona Brandy lights up Christmas with the holiday glow-up of ‘Arizona B’

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Arizona Brandy lights up Christmas with the holiday glow-up of ‘Arizona B’

Marilag Odtohan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 01, 2025 01:59 PM PHT

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Updated Dec 03, 2025 08:18 PM PHT

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Arizona Brandy

Drag Queen

Budots

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