In a Zoom interview on October 17, American singer-songwriter Brian McKnight Jr. expressed his admiration for the Queen of Philippine R&B Kyla, after their collaboration in a recently released love song, COY (Cuz of You).
“This is probably the easiest session I have ever had… We were all impressed. I was taken aback ‘cause when you’re in the presence of someone that’s able to just effortlessly deliver so much passion, so much reverence, and that voice, to really bring those lines to life,” McKnight Jr. as he talked about working with the Filipina singer.
He and Kyla met years ago when he visited the Philippines, and they recorded COY in McKnight’s apartment in Hollywood.
“We had met a long time ago. The only time I’ve ever been in the Philippines. It was actually around the time I wrote this song so it’s no coincidence… I knew early on, you are someone I wanted to work with.”
The recording session only lasted a night because working with Kyla came too easy and natural.
“We did it right in my living room. It was so organic. It was so at home… It’s exactly what a duet should have been,” said the American singer-songwriter.
“I don’t know if I have ever worked with someone that can track as fast as I can… I would sing a phrase the way that I recorded it and she would just add that flare to it, this is KYLA,” he threw another praise on her.
Penned by McKnight Jr. himself, Cuz of You tells the experience of dating someone and hoping that that person will be with him [or her] for a long time, despite the distance separating them at the time. The soothing vocals of Kyla and McKnight Jr. complemented the song’s intimacy.
Produced by Tarsier Records, COY (Cuz of You) was released on Friday, October 14, and is now streaming on various platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The music video features Kapamilya talents Anji Salvacion and Brent Manalo.
