Kyla and Jay R are Filipino R&B’s Greatest Musical Soulmates

There’s something undeniably magical about a musical match made in heaven – just look at Kyla and Jay R. 

Since the early 2000s, the Filipino singers have been enchanting the world with their captivating vocals and heartwarming melodies. Across two decades, they’ve made their mark, paving a way for R&B in the Filipino music scene in their own ways; but nothing compares to the power they wield when together. 

It all started when the pair met on the now defunct musical variety show, SOP in the 90s. Often sharing the stage, their chemistry was evident from the start. Jay R had that Los Angeles-influenced soul and musicality while Kyla’s vocals were innately powerful, commanding everyone’s attention with a single note. Their voices blended together so seamlessly, like it was always meant to be. 

Their partnership on stage quickly made it into the recording booth. In 2004, Jay R produced and co-wrote Kyla’s “Not Your Ordinary Girl” that made waves in the local music scene, cementing their beginnings as Philippine R&B royalty. 

From there, they continued to work and collaborate together, releasing hit tracks like “Back In Time”, “Say That You Love Me”, “You Are Not Alone”, and “Undeniable”. Each song they worked on was embedded with the same passion and musical bond you see between them on stage. They were a duo Filipino fans couldn’t help but fall in love with.

Most recently, Kyla and Jay R reunited for their Back In Time concert at Manila’s New Frontier Theater. Despite it being their first time back on stage together after 20 years, the magic between – born out of years of creative collaboration and admiration for one another – still remained as strong as ever. 

“There’s magic every time Kyla and I go on stage. We don’t perform just to impress, but also to lift each other up and bring out the best versions of ourselves,” Jay R said in a press release ahead of their reunion concert last September.

Kyla and Jay R’s musical partnership is one you don’t come across often. It’s the kind that, even after so many years and turns in their respective careers and artistry, still work so perfectly together as if nothing’s ever changed. As Kyla puts it, they’re “soulmates in music” and they will continue to be in the years to come. 

“This [concert] is my own little way of thanking our fans for being supportive of the creative partnership. We owe it big time to them for protecting this legacy of ours, and for ensuring that it will be preserved for the next generation to cherish,” she said.