Trippie Budd Pushes Filipino Urban Pop Forward with “cheekybang,” featuring SAJKA and Zae
Following the breakout success of “baby lika,” Filipino rapper-producer Trippie Budd returns with “cheekybang,” an upbeat collaboration with Jamaican-Filipino reggaeton/fusion artist SAJKA and rising Filipino rapper Zae.
Built around hard-hitting production and a celebratory atmosphere, the track gives each performer space to showcase their individuality while sustaining its momentum from beginning to end.
The song pivots in an exciting new direction for Trippie Budd, whose eclectic tropical sound effortlessly blends reggaeton, Afrobeats, and Moombahton. Rather than simply following established trends, the urban multi-hyphenate hopes to help bring these influences further into the Philippine mainstream.
“I want this track to somehow dominate the club scene across the country and maybe eventually become part of the street sound as well, alongside other genres,” Trippie Budd explains. “I don't have plans to take over anything; I just wanna blend in and serve as a gateway to a bolder but totally different sound in our local music scene.”
The collaboration began during the music video shoot for “baby lika,” when Trippie Budd learned that SAJKA, whose music had caught his attention through Spotify’s KALYE playlist, would be visiting the set. The idea eventually evolved into a track that brought two kindred spirits together, with Zae eventually joining the lineup on the recommendation of Sony Music Philippines’ Urban team.
Produced by JayXagonto and ETRIZZLE, “cheekybang” incorporates island rhythms and clubby, infectious beats with synth elements. The arrangement supports the contrasting deliveries of Trippie Budd, SAJKA, and Zae, transforming their individual contributions into a cohesive party record.
“The majority of the arrangement of the instrumental came from JayXagonto, and I just asked for some minor changes while I was writing the track,” Trippie Budd adds. “It all aligned well since it wasn't my first time working with JayXagonto. The sound that I think is the backbone of the track is the synth instrument with the stereo-widening effect, which is a really big factor if you're planning to make a club banger.”
Beyond its dance-floor readiness, “cheekybang” shows that music can be a refuge from everyday pressures. “I wanna make people in bars, clubs, beaches, and other places forget about their problems for a while,” he shares.
With “cheekybang,” Trippie Budd, SAJKA, and Zae present a confident statement of intent: a new-generation party anthem that embraces global influences while honing the future sound of Filipino urban music with distinct flavor.
Trippie Budd, SAJKA, and Zae’s “cheekybang” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
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