Blending sharp lyricism, fearless energy, and a dream collaboration with Rjay Ty, the new single shows an artist reaching for even greater heights
Following the success of his breakout album, BACKSHOTS, Filipino rapper WAIIAN kicks off a new chapter in his career with the release of “2RARE,” a collaboration with fellow hip-hop artist Rjay Ty. The track serves as the lead single from his upcoming album, set to arrive later this year, signaling the return of one of the country’s most influential young rappers with renewed confidence and a clear vision for what’s ahead.
Driven by hard-hitting production and incisive lyricism, “2RARE” highlights WAIIAN’s artistic growth and evolving ambitions. More than simply marking his return, the single reflects his determination to keep raising the bar. Once recognized as a promising talent, WAIIAN now steps fully into the spotlight, ready to expand his reach, embrace new challenges, and continue elevating Philippine hip-hop.
“I chose ‘2RARE’ because it’s one of the loudest songs on the project, and I felt like it had been a while since I put out a straight-up rap track,” says the urban hitmaker. “It represents a side of me that fans have been waiting to hear again. At the same time, it gives a glimpse of what’s coming with the new album—the energy and the direction I’m taking in this next chapter.”
The release also fulfills a collaboration that fans have been hoping for since the start of his career. Although WAIIAN and Rjay Ty had shared several writing sessions over time, the opportunity to create a record that truly reflected both artists only arrived when the timing—and the chemistry—finally aligned. Rather than simply exchanging verses, the pair painstakingly crafted every element of the song alongside producers from Kashira, helming its structure, dynamics, and overall energy into a record that feels both effortless and intentional.
WAIIAN explains, “I’ve wanted to collaborate with Rjay for a long time, but I never really felt ‘ready.’ Maybe because of the expectations, or maybe because it’s a little intimidating working with someone you’ve looked up to for so long. Now that I have the new studio, I was running out of excuses not to finally make it happen. We put a lot of thought into the entire song, not just laying down our verses and calling it a day. Every decision was made with one goal in mind: to make a song we’d all love to listen to ourselves. We figured if we loved it first, there’s a good chance the listeners would feel the same.”
Sonically speaking, “2RARE” emerged through experimentation rather than imitation. Created without relying on specific musical references, the track evolved organically as WAIIAN, Rjay Ty, and the Kashira production team pushed one another creatively, refining ideas until they landed a jab that felt unmistakably their own. The willingness to explore and experiment mirrors the artistic direction of the forthcoming album, which promises to venture across limitless sonic landscapes while remaining grounded in WAIIAN’s lyrical craft.
WAIIAN shared that he hopes listeners will embrace their individuality and recognize that there’s value in being different—whether in the way they think, create, or express themselves. He said his goal is for the project to inspire people to celebrate what makes them unique instead of feeling pressured to conform. Through every song he creates, he aims to encourage self-confidence and authentic self-expression. If listeners come away from “2RARE” and the upcoming album feeling more secure in their identity and empowered to be themselves without fear of judgment, he considers that a success.
“2RARE” by WAIIAN and Rjay Ty is now available for streaming on major digital music platforms worldwide through Sony Music Entertainment.
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