Apl.de.ap and Sandara Park have just released a collaboration single entitled “2 Proud” on March 8.

Touching on themes of a relationship’s push-and-pull dynamics, the new track, produced by Black Eyed Peas music director Keith Harris, exhibits a laidback vibe with its smooth-sounding instrumentals coupled with some chill, summer-esque visuals courtesy of its accompanying music video directed by Ben Mor. The song and its music video’s release was previously announced by apl.de.ap through a short teaser posted on Instagram last March 2

In a post made by Park on her X (formerly Twitter) account on March 7, the former 2NE1 member shares, in Korean, how the collaboration between the two had been in the works as early as 2020. The duo even wanted to record and film the music video together in Los Angeles only for the COVID-19 pandemic to put a halt to those plans as Park was unable leave South Korea back then. Nevertheless, Park states that they found a workaround by having her parts filmed with chromakeying in South Korea and having them be composited into the final video later on. Park further elaborates by saying she is looking forward to the day where she and apl.de.ap can perform the track live together.

In a press release sent to Billboard Philippines, Park states, “apl.de.ap and I have known each other for many years; we both have cherished memories of the Philippines, which bonds us over. As a huge fan of his music, working on this project was filled with excitement and joy. Even though we had to do everything far off separately due to the pandemic, we finally made it and the song came out super great. I hope you also enjoy our first collaboration and one day, I wish we could perform it live in front of the fans,”

In addition to this, apl.de.ap also made a post on his X account, with the Black Eyed Peas member stating that he and Park had wanted to work together for years now, with the two “kicking around songs that could possibly work.” Ultimately, it was during the pandemic that they found the perfect one in the form of “2 Proud”.

“It’s been a long time coming for Sandara and I. Both of us grew up partly in the Philippines so to have been able to connect for the first time was a kind of magic. Sandara was amazing on this track. We had made it during the pandemic but she was a star through everything. The song is a bit of a departure from a lot of what you’d expect from a Black Eyed Peas’ member, but I listen to a lot of different kinds of music. I hope you enjoy it too,” elaborates apl.de.ap further on the same aforementioned press release.

While this may be the first track the two artists have worked on together one-on-one, this is not the first time apl.de.ap and Park have collaborated on music. In fact, the first time was back in 2013 where, alongside fellow Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am and the other 2NE1 members, they came out with the track entitled “Gettin’ Dumb” from will.i.am’s fourth studio album, #willpower.

Get in the summer mood by listening to apl.de.ap and Sandara Park’s “2 Proud” below.