Janine Berdin is coming back with the release of her latest single, “tayo lang (may alam)”, marking a major departure from her signature rock style. This time, the multi-talented artist is venturing into the Afrobeat genre, collaborating with up-and-coming stars Illest Morena and Fana on the track.
Known for her rock anthems and powerhouse vocals, Berdin revealed exclusively to Billboard Philippines that this new single is a nod to her diverse musical influences. “I know it’s kind of a shocker… I’m known as a rock girl, but everybody listens to different types of music, and one of my favorite artists is Doja Cat,” Berdin told Billboard Philippines. “So this song is heavily inspired by her and Illest Morena. I’m a huge fan of Illest. It’s kind of insane that she’s part of the track. She’s my queen. She’s mother.”
The idea for “tayo lang (may alam)” was born when Fana challenged Berdin to explore the Afrobeat genre. Despite her initial hesitation, Berdin took on the challenge and, within just two hours, wrote the song that would later become a dynamic collaboration. “Fana came to me and was like, ‘Hey, can you write an Afrobeat track?’ and I’m like, ‘I don’t know how to do that. I’m a rock girl.’ But she asked me to give it a shot, and I wrote the song in under two hours,” Berdin shared. “Then, I told Fana, ‘We need to do this track with Illest.'”
Taking the initiative, Berdin reached out to Illest Morena to ask if she’d be interested in joining the project. To her surprise, the rapper was just as intrigued by the collaboration, not expecting Berdin to bring an Afrobeat track to the table. “I shot my shot and messaged her if she was game. She told me ‘Akala ko alternative rock ‘yung ise-send mo sa akin na song,’ and nagulat din siya (‘I thought you’d send me an alternative rock song,’ and she was shocked). It’s a first for me, and I’m excited,” Berdin said.
With “tayo lang (may alam),” which she hopes becomes a “summer girl anthem,” Berdin is pushing the boundaries of her artistry and showcasing her versatility. She credits her team for their unwavering support throughout the process, especially as she took a leap into a new direction. “I’m thankful for my team because they’re very supportive. It’s something that you wouldn’t think I would do, and I’m glad they believed in me.”
“tayo lang (may alam)” drops this June 20, 2025 at 12 a.m. PHT via Island Records Philippines. You can now pre-save the song here.
This will comes as Berdin’s latest release following “Ayos Lang,” which she released last March. The track also serves as the singer’s newest collaboration since 2024, after “Mikasa” featuring Arthur Nery.
Listen to Janine Berdin’s “tayo lang (may alam)” featuring Fana and Illest Morena here.