‘Voice Kids’ finalist resurfaces with TikTok-friendly single
Her name is Edray, and her time has come.
It’s been a while since she belted her way to the semi-finals of “The Voice Kids” season 1 in 2014. After the show, she became a recording artist under MCA Music and released a solo album, followed by several singles.
Back then, she was experimenting with her sound in the same way other teenage girls experimented with clothes, hair, and makeup. Now, she’s all grown up and ready to take her career in a new direction—and she’s doing just that with her latest single “Tama ni Dzai.”
“I feel very blessed and happy. Yung The Voice Kids ang naging daan para matupad ko lahat ng mga dreams ko. I’m thankful na binuksan ng MCA ang pintuan nila sa talent ko,” Edray says. “Nakakatuwang isipin na nandito na ako kasi dati ang pangarap ko lang makalampas sa blind auditions. Sobra-sobra pa doon yung binigay sa akin nung show. Never kong makakalimutan yun hanggang sa tumanda ako.”
Edray will always be grateful for the opportunities being part of Coach Bamboo’s team afforded her. But she’s not one to live in the past. These days, she’s all about looking to the future—and what it holds for her and her career as a singer. That’s why she jumped at the chance to cut “Tama ni Dzai” when her new A&R man Tiny Corpuz (who wrote the song himself) presented it to her during a Zoom call.
“When I first heard it, naisip ko po pang-TikTok siya,” Edray laughs. “It’s very cool and danceable. Nakaka-LSS siya kaya madali siyang sabayan.”
“She was super crazy about it. She was excited,” Tiny recalls when asked about Edray’s reaction to the song. “Edray killed it in the studio when we recorded it. Including rehearsals and the final take, the entire process was finished in under an hour. Edray vibed well with the song. Her bubbly personality fits the song so well. I’m really excited for her.”
Tiny wrote “Tama ni Dzai” about the push-pull emotional rollercoaster of falling in love. At 20, Edray has already experienced the highs and lows of romance the song touches on—which is probably why she was able to connect with it right away.
“Opo,” Edray says matter-of-factly when asked if she’s ever been in love. “Hindi ko din naman itatago kasi tao lang po ako. May times na hindi ko po inaasahan na mahal ko na din yung tao. May times naman po na mahal niya ako pero may hangganan, pero may dumating na mas minahal ako. Masasabi ko pong true love na yun.”
Tiny used “dzai” (a Bisaya term of endearment) in the lyrics because he thought it sounded fun.
“For me, calling someone ‘dzai’ is like calling them ‘besh,’ ‘bro,’ or ‘tol,’” he explains. “I love saying it. Madali siyang tandaan at madulas sa dila. As it turns out, it’s a perfect fit for Edray also, because when we were in the studio together she told me her nickname at home is ‘Jai,’” which sounds a lot like ‘dzai.’”
Backed by a skittering pop-R&B beat, Edray’s strong vocals make “Tama ni Dzai” deserving of a spot on everyone’s playlists.
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