James Reid teams up with Korean idol B.I for 'Jacuzzi'
James Reid feels grateful for being able to collaborate with South Korean artist B.I for his new single titled “Jacuzzi.”
In a short interview with GMANetwork.com and other select entertainment media, James recalled how he got connected to the former member of the Korean boy band iKON.
“I met him when I was backstage at a concert in Seoul. It was the concert of The Rose, a Korean rock band. So, we're backstage and I met him. He said he was doing a Philippine tour, a concert tour, and he asked me to open for him. So, I performed with him on stage. After, I sent him the track, 'Jacuzzi,' and he loved it and he said he wanted to be on the song. Then, he sent me his song, '4 Letters,' so we did two collaborations at the same time,” he related.
James said their exchange of ideas for their respective singles was done online.
“I sent him the track. It was really quick. He sent back his verse for the song,” the actor-singer said.
“B.I is a singer and a rapper. What I like about BI is his voice is so unique. If you listen to him, when he was with iKon, his voice really stands out. So, when he did the track, his style worked really well. There were no revisions, it was perfect the way it was and we just had to work online.”
It was only when James started filming the music video for “Jacuzzi” that he met B.I again to work with him personally. During this time, the Filipino-Australian singer-songwriter observed how professional the South Korean idol was at work.
He said, “BI is very professional. I think that's how the Koreans are trained, to be very professional when they're working, and he's super respectful of his fans. You know, he has a lot of guidelines for how he's gonna act in the music video, which I've never seen before. You know, here we play it by ear, kind of solve it as we go. They're very strict and they're very professional.”
The song "Jacuzzi,” according to James, “is not very deep. It's just really a fun track. I made it when I was in L.A. The producer is DJ Flict, a Grammy-nominated producer. He's worked Whiz Khalifa and Meghan Trainor.
In a statement, the song was further described as “a feel-good pop track that unites Asian countries through music, fusing house and pop elements, dynamic synths, and upbeat electronic beats. The music video perfectly complements the song's enthusiasm and carefree spirit, taking the viewer on an unforgettable journey of indulgence and celebration.”
Notable celebrity guest appearances in the music video include Maris Racal, AC Bonifacio, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, DJ Flict, Massiah, and A-Team.
James Reid and his creative freedom
“Jacuzzi” is one of James' latest songs that shows how much his music has changed since he joined show business more than a decade ago. For him, a big part of this change was the creation of his own label called Careless.
He told GMANetwork.com, “I've always been very experimental with my music. That's why I started the label in the first place.
“I love the songs that I did with Viva, you know, the soundtracks, the OSTs. But I really wanted this space to be able to take risks. I think, that's something you can't do with a bigger company.
“With my own company, I had the creative freedom to take risks and make music that someone like me, an artista and very mainstream, would never do. I had a lot of fun doing it--being able to explore. I like seeing where the limitations are.
“With the music, I've always wanted to take it outside of the Philippines. You know, connect Philippines with Southeast Asia, connect it with Korea, connect it with L.A. That's why I've been traveling a lot, doing so many collaborations.”
Looking back, James said it was really worth it that he took this chance to build his own music label, which is set to transition into an entertainment company.
He said, “I think, at the time I created it, no one was doing what I was doing. So, I didn't have anyone to work with at the time that's why I just started on my own. I thought I could be the one to start it. Yes, it's definitely been worth it. I've learned so many things and, you know, in the beginning, I was making music only for my fans. Now, I started making music for myself.”
Before he ended, James gave a teaser on his new album, which he is set to release early next year.
“I think with the next project I'm releasing, I'm working on a new album right now. It will be my most vulnerable, my most personal and introspective album to date, where I get to talk about the things that I didn't really wanna talk about before. Like, personal relationships, breakups, and things like that. I think the fans will see a completely different side of James Reid,” he concluded.
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