
What do artists do when inspiration seems out of reach, and the well of creativity suddenly runs dry? For Kris Lawrence, the answer was simple: he turned to his greatest muse--his 13-year-old daughter, Katie.
The country's Prince of R&B admits he was in a creative slump until Katie pulled him out of it, becoming the heart and soul of his latest single, “Nobody.”
Fresh from a two-month U.S. stint, Kris shared that the new track took a little coaxing after a long hiatus. “It was the first song I wrote in five years. When I was in the studio in L.A., I had writer's block kaagad. I felt rusty," he said.
But thinking about Katie changed everything.
The singer-songwriter said, “I needed inspiration, so I thought about her and how she makes me feel. Right away, my pen wouldn't stop. I wrote the song in an hour and a half. Yes, it's definitely about her.”
Related gallery: Kris Lawrence attends daughter Katie's mall show
Of course, even the best artists get by with a little help from friends. Kris teamed up with Grammy Award-winning songwriter Lil Eddie, best known for the hit “Statue,” who added the “sauce” to the track's second studio version. He also collaborated with Nico Blitz, an L.A.-based Fil-Am DJ from REAL 92.3, who laid down the track's solid groove.
Kris' career has been defined by both resilience and reinvention. After winning the second season of Search for the Star in a Million in 2006, he went on to earn his OPM royalty status through hits like “Kung Malaya Lang Ako” and “When I See Your Smile.” Today, he sees his songwriting differently.
“I think the biggest growth for me as a songwriter is learning how to write with honesty,” he mused. “When I was younger, it was all about proving myself--showing what I could do with melodies and runs. Over the years, I've realized it's less about impressing people and more about expressing what's real.”
His latest songs, he said, draw from love, fatherhood, faith, and even pain. “My songs now come from lived experiences, and I feel that makes them resonate deeper. I'm still evolving, but I'm grateful that my journey has allowed me to find more authenticity in my music.”
Related gallery: How Kris Lawrence makes time for daughter Katie despite long-distance
Despite the challenges of an ever-changing industry, Kris remains optimistic.
“The landscape has definitely changed,” he explained. “Before, it was all about radio and mall tours, and those were fun because you'd really feel the crowd's energy in person. Now, a big part of it is digital: streaming platforms, social media, and creating content that connects with listeners wherever they are. But I don't think live shows will ever disappear. Nothing replaces that human connection.”
His recent U.S. trip proved just how unstoppable he is. “I was on a 12-city tour with Nina, had four solo concerts, recorded four new songs, and shot three music videos,” he shared. And the momentum isn't slowing down: Kris returns to the U.S. this October to receive an award in Las Vegas as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the World, followed by a special show with Kuh Ledesma.
Released under the Homeworkz label, “Nobody” drops on October 10 across Kris' Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook platforms.