Be

Album: AP3 (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This solo track by Apl.de.ap features Canadian-Cambodian rapper Honey Cocaine and singer Jessica Reynoso, who was a finalist in the first season of The Voice Philippines (Apl.de.ap was one of the coaches). The Black Eyed Pea member told Billboard magazine why he recruited the virtually unknown Honey Cocaine for this song. "I caught Honey's flow online and knew I had to collaborate with her on one of my tracks," he explained. "There's a few things about her that made this song come together real well. First off, she's real. You don't find many like that in the industry nowadays. Her skills on the mic are ridiculous and the fact that she's this little feisty Asian rapper, I think is just dope."
  • The song's music video was filmed in various locations around New York City and Jersey, Baku (the capital of Azerbaijan) and the Philippines. It finds Apl.de.ap in the middle of a violent video game landscape along with Honey Cocaine and Jessica Reynoso. Identical twins Lulu & Lala, who host a show on Miami's Hits 97.3, also make a cameo appearance. Said Apl.de.ap: "Ultimately, the video and song are about being yourself and having self-confidence. Today, I see so many people trying to be someone they're not, especially online. Even I got caught up in that for a hot minute."

    The Black Eyed Pea member eventually "realized that I was worrying too much about how my followers and fanbase saw me." He added: "Sometimes it ain't about the comments, the profile pic, or the best photo of yourself retouched to perfection. It's about living in the moment and connecting with everyone else that comes into your life."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?Fact or Fiction

Bradley Cooper, Michael J. Fox, Rami Malek, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow and George Clooney: Which actors really sang in their movies?

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.