Born of Filipino-Guyanese descent and raised in Toronto, Canada, Dylan Sinclair has always felt in touch with his roots as a Filipino.

The renowned R&B singer-songwriter has recently come out with two full-bodied pieces of work: one, a full-length studio album entitled FOR THE BOY IN ME, and the other a live EP entitled Motherland Sessions. The latter poses as a tribute to the artist’s Filipino heritage, as he explores a more laid-back beat with songs from his full-length album, and a cover the classic kundiman “Dahil Sa’yo,” which was popularized by Pilita Corrales in 1972.

Accompanying this EP is a video series of visualizers where Sinclair explores various Philippine sceneries, from the seaside to the middle of Manila streets. The full playlist of visualizers has been uploaded to YouTube as of March 8, and can be viewed here.

On that note, Billboard Philippines held an exclusive interview with Dylan Sinclair on topics ranging from his connection to his Filipino roots. his European tour, and his current ongoing project series, Motherland Sessions.

Billboard Philippines: Congratulations on the recent release of your latest album, FOR THE BOY IN ME. This marks your third studio album. What’s something new you’ve tried to explore in this body of work?

Dylan Sinclair: Thank you! It’s actually my first album. I like to call the first two projects I put out EPs because I was still new and trying to find my voice. I feel like I found it with this one though. The goal was to explore quicker tempos, write full songs with bridges and really challenge myself vocally.

Can you walk us through the story of this album? How did it all come together?

It came from a breakup that I went through. After releasing my second EP, my girlfriend of three years at the time and I were going through it. We were going in circles and the relationship was beginning to feel like a burden. While in reality, I was very attached and full of spiraling emotions, my goal was to get in the studio and get more candid than I’ve ever been.

Although most of your work is downbeat and more subdued, this recent work is picking up the pace in terms of BPM. Are you working towards a new sound? How would you personally describe the music that you make?

I’m definitely picking up the pace. I love writing heart on the sleeve/shirt open in the rain type ballads but I also want to make music that gets people moving. I’m listening to a lot of Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah and Amerie to name a few.

We can hear your roots from your Toronto upbringing to your Filipino-Guyanese ethnic background take form in this latest album. Where did you draw inspiration for its unique sound?

From everywhere really. My favourite artists out of Toronto are Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Daniel Caesar. We sort of see ourselves as the underdog capital up in Canada so I listened to a lot of their albums to push through the making of mine, especially in those moments where I needed the motivation to finish. I also listened to a lot of songwriters that play piano like Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Donny Hathaway, and Stevie Wonder. I would play along to their songs so that when it came time for me to jam some original ideas, I could channel them.

Since you visit your homeland often, how do you find your Filipino roots playing a part in your songwriting and production?

I feel like if I wasn’t Filipino, I wouldn’t be so R&B. We live and breathe R&B out here. 

What is it like exploring all the different parts of your identity and upbringing through music?

Being an artist can be strange sometimes because you put your business out there on these songs to be perceived by a bunch of strangers and it could be an uncomfortable process. When I come back to the motherland, it’s like I get to put all that pressure aside and just exist. I truly think the Philippines is one of the best places on earth with the best people so when I’m there, my anxiety gets stripped and I feel more comfortable in my skin, which ultimately allows me to continue giving my rawest self in the music.

As R&B expands at such a massive and fast rate, what kind of techniques or songwriting plays do you experiment with your craft to stand out among the rest?

I’m a lot more intuitive. I’m punching my vocals in now instead of writing pen to paper and producing most of my own demos. I’m consistently developing my skills and refusing to overthink things so that I can go in the studio confident and just have fun. I’ve showed my friends some of the new stuff I’m working on and they’re saying that this is the most “Dylan” that my music has ever sounded. I also just put out a snippet of a new song I made not too long ago called “What I Gotta Do?” and my fans seem to really want it, so I’m looking forward to this next chapter for R&B and what I have to contribute.

You’re also currently touring Europe. Are there any dream destinations we can anticipate in your upcoming tours?

Europe’s been great. Eventually, I wanna headline shows in Australia, Brazil, South Africa, and of course the Philippines.

Can you explain the philosophy behind your ongoing series, Motherland Sessions?

Growing up just outside of Toronto, there are a lot of people in the city who come from different cultures and value systems. Being surrounded by this my whole life, I’ve grown to question and appreciate what makes being Filipino so special. Motherland Sessions is beyond a performance piece for me. It’s a love letter back to the land and the people who have given me the grounding and confidence to exist and create.

Listen to Dylan Sinclair’s Motherland Sessions here: