Kyle Echarri shows true colors in self-produced album

CEBU, Philippines —  Kyle Echarri is turning 18 this Sunday and the Cebuano singer-actor is marking the milestone in a huge way: a digital concert and a new album that he wrote and produced himself.

“The digital concert is on my 18th birthday mismo. One, I’m legal and two, I’m more mature. So that’s all I can give as a hint. I’m very excited because I’ll be able to show you who the real Kyle is,” he teased.

In a digital media conference Thursday for his full-length album “New Views,” Kyle was ecstatic to discuss his concert preparations and album journey that spanned over a year. The 17-year-old artist accomplished everything himself, from planning, songwriting, recording to producing.

“I made sure that no one else touches it besides me and my mind,” Kyle shared. “I want everyone to feel my heart throughout this whole album and see sino ‘yung totoong Kyle Echarri para maramdaman nila ‘yung puso ko and they get to hear the music that I want to portray.”

Kyle described working on his second album as a “rollercoaster” because he had to deal with a variety of setbacks. He intended to release it last year with several artist collaborations, but that did not materialize due to a management issue.

His first full-length studio album, “It’s Me Kyle,” was released by MCA Music when he was 13 years old. However, he believes it was not the Kyle he planned to depict. This time, he assures fans that the seven-track album speaks more about the “original Kyle.”

“It [album] is just me, just my heart. This music now is about my past relationships, past ligaw, whatever it is. Basta, it’s a different Kyle that you have never seen before and I’m finally able to share who I am.”

Its key track “Liligawan Na Kita” is a writing collaboration between Kyle and his “Huwag Kang Mangamba” co-stars Seth Fedelin and Andrea Brillantes. The song, produced by Kyle and co-performed by Seth, talks about one’s willingness to wait and court someone very special.

Kyle’s 2020 single “I’m Serious” is also included in the album’s track list along with “Dyosa” which was produced by JayR. Other tracks such as “Mahal Nga Kita” featuring rapper Arvey, “Panaginip,” which is currently featured in the original soundtrack (OST) of anthology series “Click, Like, Share,” “As Long As You’re Mine,” and “Fuego,” which he co-wrote with close friend Darren Espanto – were all self-produced by him.

Kyle began his career on the second season of “The Voice Kids” and has since grown into a total performer who can sing, dance, act, and even host. He admitted to being an insecure kid who “never really felt the love that he needed for himsel,” but now he couldn’t be happier with where he’s at.

“As an artist, my confidence and happiness in myself have skyrocketed from when I was a kid. Kita niyo naman sa ‘Voice Kids’ pumiyok pa nga ako sa blind auditions pero ngayon, I’m super happy with what I’m doing. I don’t want to say very confident but I’m more confident in myself, I’m happier with how much I love myself more than I did before,” said Kyle.

Asked by The FREEMAN what else he wanted to explore, he said, “I’m very happy with where I am right now in my career. I’ve been doing a lot of exploring nga with my acting and singing, songwriting. I’m just taking it day by day. I know how blessed I am and very grateful for the position that I’ve been given not just by the management, but of course kay God.”

 Kyle hopes to stay in the industry for the long haul since since this has always been the dream. He is putting in long hours every day to get the projects he has set out to nab. At this rate, does he still have any misgivings?

“Galing pa po ako sa ‘The Voice Kids,’ ako po ‘yung pinaka-binash dahil nga sinasabi nila na wala naman akong boses, itsura lang ang meron ako.”

“Thank you, it’s a compliment kasi mayroon akong itsura to people who say I’m good-looking. But I know myself kung sino ako bilang isang artist, bilang isang tao. I know my strengths and I know my weaknesses but, I’m working on everything that I can. Every day I’m become better than I was yesterday.”

The free “Kyle Digital Birthday Fan Con” is happening this Sunday, June 20 at 7 p.m. on his Kumu channel (@echarripapi) as a birthday gift to his fans and in celebration of his sixth year in showbiz. His album, “New Views” is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and other digital music platforms. - Niel Anthony Lajot, Silliman University Intern