NO matter what a person does, there are instances when other people would always judge and say something hurtful about it.
But one has the power to ignore all the negativities around them, and that is what rising P-pop boy group AJAA reminds them of through its newest single “Dedma.”
Serving as AJAA’s first music release for 2025, “Dedma” is an upbeat song that narrates how a person tries to get the attention of someone they are attracted to but gets ignored. It was written by VXON’s Franz Chua, AJAA’s labelmate from Cornerstone Entertainment, in one night.
If AJAA members Ash, JC, Axl, and Alex were asked what “Dedma” means for them, the quartet said the song is not just about disregarded romantic feelings.
“‘Yung song talaga is about crush mo na nagpapapansin ka pero dinededma ka niya. Pero ‘yung song, pwede siyang dinededma mo ‘yung negativity of people around you,” Axl told republicasia in an exclusive interview.
“Hindi lang siya about love, pwede mo rin gamitin [‘yung ‘Dedma’] for other stuff,” he added.
“Dedma” was released on February 28 with a music video, featuring the AJAA members in their school uniforms.
It was filmed in a school where the members were seen doing everything they could to get the attention of a girl schoolmate but to no avail. The music video ended with a plot twist, revealing why the girl could not notice AJAA.
JC shared with republicasia that the music video took inspiration from the fictional friendly ghost named Casper who has a crush on a girl.
“[Naisip namin na] what if apat po kami [na Casper]? ‘Yung ginawa po namin is in-adapt po namin ‘yon sa ‘Hany’ na parang nagpapapansin po kami sa girl pero nakikita po kami doon,” AJAA’s main dancer explained.
“Pero dito sa ‘Dedma,’ ganon pa rin po, nagpapapansin po kami sa girl pero ginawa namin naka-headphones si girl para ‘di siya obvious na sureball na pala na deds [dead] kami,” he continued.
“Dedma’s” music video has now garnered over 52,000 views on AJAA’s official YouTube channel.
Hopes for ‘Dedma’s’ promotion on ‘PPOP Stage’
AJAA hopes to perform “Dedma” live on “PPOP Stage,” a music show promoting rising P-pop groups and soloists.
“‘Pag nabigyan ng chance po. Actually, super open po namin ‘cause we’re promoting our song ‘Dedma’ as of the moment, and we would like the song to reach other kinds of audience,” said Axl.
“So, magpe-perform kami tsaka magpo-promote kami kahit saan,” he added.
For starters, “PPOP Stage” can be likened to South Korean music programs like “MCOUNTDOWN,” “Inkigayo,” and “Music Bank,” where K-pop groups perform and promote their latest songs.
JC is the music show’s first idol emcee, hosting alongside singer Yenne Torres and Ayumi Takezawa. AJAA appeared on “PPOP Stage’s” pilot episode, performing its 2024 single “BES I LUV U.”
“It’s super nice knowing na there’s [such a] show sa Philippines. Sino-support po nila ‘yung P-pop na kahit na alam nilang hindi pa ganon kalaki ‘yung audience for other groups, they still do their best to support [them],” Axl said.
Produced by E Konek Events and Concerts, “PPOP Stage” airs every second Saturday of the month on PPOP Stage and E Konek’s Facebook pages and YouTube channels.
Gratitude to Hanies
Meanwhile, AJAA was nominated in the March RA Spotlight, won by its other labelmate Yes My Love (YML), or the “Vocal Heartstoppers of P-pop.”
Still, the rising quartet was grateful to its fans, collectively known as Hanies, for their tireless effort to vote and promote AJAA on social media.
“Gusto po namin magpasalamat sa Hanies kasi grabe po ‘yung time na binibigay nila sa pagbo-vote sa RA Spotlight, and meron pang iba na nagpo-post sila to encourage other Hanies to vote,” Ash said.
On X (formerly Twitter), AJAA promised to work “even harder” to show appreciation to its fans who voted for the boy group in the March RA Spotlight.
Listen to ‘Dedma’ on all music streaming platforms!
