Allan Pineda Lindo (commonly known as Apl.de.Ap) transcends his everlasting Black Eyed Peas (BEP) distinction, collaborating with 2NE1 icon Sandara Park through “2 Proud.” Presenting subtle pop and gentle hip-hop elements, the artists explore a joint sound produced by resident BEP music director Keith Harris and conceived through Ben Mor’s 50s-esque lens.
The March 8, 2024 release marks a resurgence for the long-time Filipino residents—with Apl.de.Ap’s 2024 track “Legend” and Park’s self-titled EP surfacing on major international streaming platforms last 2023. First crossing paths in 2011 during will.i.am’s collaboration with 2NE1, the project came to fruition during the height of the pandemic, and Pineda describes the process as “amazing” throughout.
“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,” Apl.de.Ap mentioned.
“She (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,” he added.
With the Philippines distinguished as the pair’s common denominator, the 39-year-old musician-actress commented on her thrilling experience working with the Filipino BEP frontman with the hopes of performing the track live in the future.
“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,” she mentioned.
