FILIPINO singer-songwriter Juan Karlos Labajo, also known as JK, made history after his single “ERE” became the first Filipino song to debut on Spotify’s global chart.
According to chart data’s post on X (formerly Twitter), the hit record placed 177th on the chart, with 1.22 million streams.
Labajo reposted the good news on his X account.
Fans were quick to congratulate the 22-year-old singer, who also stars in ABS-CBN’s mystery-thriller series “Senior High.”
One of those who reacted to the chart data’s post is Labajo’s “Senior High” co-star, Andrea Brillantes. The 20-year-old actress retweeted chart data’s post and dropped a face-screaming emoji.
First released in August 2023, “ERE” expresses the pain of being abandoned by a loved one.
The single eventually became the second song in Labajo’s new album, “Sad Songs and Bullshit Part 1,” released last month.
The nine-track album is also composed of “Sad Songs and Bullshit,” “may halaga pa ba ako sayo??,” “Manhid,” “Paruparo,” “Gabi,” “Time Machine,” “Lumisan,” and “Tapusin Na Natin To,” which features Paolo Benjamin of indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben.
Labajo also dropped a live performance video of “ERE” on YouTube on September 23, landing third in the list of trending for music in the video-streaming platform. BLACKPINK’s Jennie’s newly released “You & Me” topped the list, followed by BTS’ Jungkook’s “3D” featuring Jack Harlow.
Labajo took to X on Monday to express his gratitude to listeners of “ERE.”
Labajo also performed at Ayala Malls Harbor Point in Subic, Zambales, on Saturday for his “The Sad Tour.” This will be followed by a show in Zamboanga on October 14.
‘Sad Songs and Bullshit’
“Sad Songs and Bullshit” is an album originally composed of Labajo’s love songs for “someone whom I gave so much of myself to,” the singer said.
“A collection of all the words I wrote and the melodies that came along with it. Eventually, things didn’t turn out the way I hoped for,” he wrote in an Instagram post on September 26.
“All the songs for love turned into songs for sadness. For me at least, they just became a bunch of bullshit. Hence, Sad Songs and Bullshit,” he added.
The album, which initially has 18 tracks, is divided into two parts. The second part will be released in early 2024, Labajo said.
