Today, Filipino-American crooner Labit makes a heartfelt return with his new single, “MANGOES AND RICE”, a poignant love letter to the people and places that shaped him. Accompanied by a tender, nostalgia-laced music video, the track celebrates identity, family, and cultural pride with quiet power and sincerity. Alongside the release, Labit also announces his highly anticipated forthcoming album, ‘SOL’, set to arrive on October 10th. 
With intimate songwriting that reverberates with the hard-earned wisdom of a young person taking charge of his future by remembering his past, Labit uses his latest track to explore what it felt like to grow up Filipino-American. Backed by echoing layered vocals and bouncy acoustic guitar reminiscent of summertime, the single glows with whimsy and the warmth of memory.
Labit – “MANGOES AND RICE” (Official Music Video)
“I wrote this song about growing up Filipino-American. It’s a conversation with my sister about remembering our childhood and how we were raised and using that knowledge in present situations.”
— Labit
The music video is a visual love letter to the resilience of the Filipino-American experience, especially the quiet strength required of balancing expectation and identity. The clip begins with the weight of workplace exhaustion and cultural pressure, but it blossoms into a backyard sanctuary, where family, memory, and joy remind the main character of who she is. “MANGOES AND RICE” is a complete ode to sentimentality and inner strength, perfectly sweet and satisfying, just like its namesake.
While originally released to coincide with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month observed in the United States, the song’s themes of cultural identity, familial love, and the search for belonging resonate far beyond American borders. For many across Southeast Asia, especially those who, like Labit, navigate life between cultures, the song strikes a deeply personal chord. With intimate storytelling that carries the quiet confidence of someone embracing their roots, Labit reflects on what it means to grow up straddling two cultures—capturing the experience of many young Southeast Asians raised between worlds. The release is also supported by a collaboration with Wanderlust Creamery, a Filipino-American-founded ice cream brand known for its innovative Asian American-inspired flavours, as part of a broader celebration of AAPI Month.
“MANGOES AND RICE” finds Labit carrying the teachings of his upbringing as he stretches to reach new heights of authenticity and self-discovery. Dripping with honeyed vocals and wholesome introspection, Labit reminds listeners that there is empowerment and comfort that can come from staying true to your roots as you navigate the world in front of you. He exemplifies this as he sings about his sister: “You / Growing up on mom and dad’s advice / Looking back / It ain’t so black and white / Trust they raised us right / Melanie you’re working through it / Filipino baby / You could do it / There’s power in your every move”.
“MANGOES AND RICE” floats in on the heels of Labit’s recent breakout single, “CLEANING OUT THE FRIDGE (ft. Emily Rowed)”, which earned placements on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists across Asia, including the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Since debuting in 2019, Labit’s catalog of music has grown in its generous authenticity, with melodies that feel like being wrapped in a warm blanket, anchored by hooks that linger long after the last note. Labit’s resonance across Southeast Asia is undeniable, with the region making up the majority of his Top 10 streaming markets: #3 Philippines, #6 Indonesia, #7 Malaysia, #8 Taiwan, #9 Thailand, and #10 Vietnam. His ability to connect across borders and cultures is rooted in honest storytelling and a sonic versatility that transcends genre. With songwriting that spans pop, rock, and R&B, he has earned credits with artists such as EMEI, BYRNE, and more.
Making music on his own terms, Labit’s recent release—and his artistry at large—reflect the very journey he has taken in “MANGOES AND RICE”, bringing his own lyrics to life: “Filipino baby / You could do it / There’s power in your every move.” His forthcoming album, ‘SOL’, captures that ongoing process of self-discovery—written as a personal journal while navigating the intricacies of adulthood, finding strength in vulnerability and grace in growth.
‘SOL’ Album Tracklisting:
1. STAY AWHILE
2. BREAK
3. PRETTY
4. ALL MY PLANTS ARE DYING
5. BET
6. LEADS (ME TO YOU)
7. WYL
8. FEBRUARY
9. ANYBODY’S GUESS
10. CLEANING OUT THE FRIDGE (FT. EMILY ROWED)
11. MANGOES AND RICE
12. WHO WE WERE
13. CODEPENDENT
14. PARALLEL
15. BETTER
16. CLICK
17. CLOUD
18. SOL
Stream “MANGOES AND RICE” here
Watch the official music video here
